What is Fairtrade® and why does it matter to me?

WHAT IS THE FAIRTRADE MARK? WHY BUY FAIRTRADE?

Our green and blue Fairtrade Mark is the certification seal of Fairtrade International, a global certification body that sets rigorous Standards to help make global trade fair for nearly 2 million farmers and workers. When you buy products with this symbol, you are investing in farmers and workers as they improve their own lives and their communities.

The Fairtrade Mark appears on 37,000 products in 131 countries and signifies that the farmers and workers that produce our coffee used to make our Inca Trail Roast (Peru), Inca Trail Roast Decaf (Peru), El Dorado (Colombia), Rain Forest Brew (Sumatra), Cloud Forest Brew (Guatemala) and Mayan Legend (Honduras) received at least the Fairtrade Minimum price for their crops – a financial safety net when market prices fall. They also receive a Fairtrade Premium to democratically invest in business and community development projects of their choice, like healthcare and education.

Fairtrade also collaborates with farmers and workers to create Fairtrade Standards. These form a framework that is independently measured and checked to ensure the rights of people and the environment are upheld. From prohibiting child labor (as defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) minimum age and the worst form of child labour conventions) to safe use of chemicals and protecting land and water courses, Fairtrade is a powerful way to grow sustainability and fairness.

The Fairtrade Mark means that Off Road Coffee prioritizes people and the planet in the sourcing of our [FAIRTRADE INGREDIENTS]. Fairtrade means better prices for farmers and workers, supporting  a better and more secure livelihood. That’s why we do it--it’s the right thing to do.

WHAT MAKES FAIRTRADE UNIQUE?

Fairtrade is about better prices; it is the only certification that has both a minimum price and a Fairtrade Premium--an additional sum of money that producers invest as they choose in their communities and businesses.

People come first. Farmers grow products in line with the Fairtrade Standards that call for decent working conditions and fairer terms of trade.  Fairtrade gives consumers the chance to make a choice and contribute to farmers and workers getting a better deal. And that means farmers make their own decisions and control their own future.

In the Fairtrade system, farmers are driving decisions. The Fairtrade governing body is made up of 50% producer representation, which means decision making at Fairtrade is shared equally. Fairtrade Premium funds are spent according to committee decisions. Women must be represented on committees and in decision making in co-operatives and on plantations.

Fairtrade protects the environment. Fairtrade farmers follow environmental Standards, which means that they are supported in farming sustainably. Educational tools and Fairtrade Premiums also support the implementation of best practices like water conservation, energy efficiency, and protecting biodiversity while protecting producers from the impacts of climate change.

What does Fairtrade mean?

Fairtrade International is a non-profit organization that works to rebalance power favor of farmers and workers unfairly disadvantaged by our global trade system. This means that farmers and workers are getting a better deal and can build a better future for themselves. Nearly 2 million farmers and workers benefit from Fairtra certification, standards, premiums and programs, supporting them in deciding on the futures and fulfilling their potential.

Fairtrade Minimum Price & Premium:

Nearly 2 million farmers and workers are involved in Fairtrade worldwide. Most of our coffees carry the Fairtrade Mark to show that we pay the Fairtrade Minimum Price — a safety net aimed at covering the average costs of producing their crop sustainably, even when market prices drop. On top of this, we pay a Fairtrade Premium — an extra sum of money paid on top of the selling price that farmer organizations invest democratically in business or community projects of their choice, such as education and healthcare.

We pay more for our coffee because supporting the people who grow our food is the right thing to do. With our Fairtrade certification, we are standing for social justice in the supply chain.

Are all of your ingredients fair trade? 

As part of Off Road Coffee’s mission to support farmers, the coffee used to make our Inca Trail Roast (Peru), Inca Trail Roast Decaf (Peru), El Dorado (Colombia), Rain Forest Brew (Sumatra), Cloud Forest Brew (Guatemala) and Mayan Legend (Honduras) are Fairtrade certified. These ingredients support the global Fairtrade movement, securing a better deal for nearly 2 million farmers and workers. For more information on the sourcing and traceability of Fairtrade ingredients, visit https://info.fairtrade.net/what/traceability-in-fairtrade-supply-chains.

What does it mean to be Fairtrade® certified?

Fairtrade® certified means the farmers and workers involved in production have received at least the Fairtrade Minimum Price for their crops – a financial safety net when market prices fall. They also receive a Fairtrade Premium, the highest among ethical products, to invest in business and community projects of their choice like healthcare and education.

Fairtrade also collaborates with farmers and workers to create the Fairtrade Standards. These form a sustainability framework that is independently measured and checked to ensure the rights of people and the environment are upheld. From prohibiting child labor (as defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO)) to safe use of chemicals and protecting land and water sources, Fairtrade is a powerful way to grow sustainability and fairness.

For more information on Fairtrade, please visit www.fairtradeamerica.org.

What is the difference between “fair trade” and “Fairtrade?”

Fairtrade refers to all or any part of Fairtrade International, Fairtrade producer networks, and national Fairtrade organizations (like Fairtrade America). Products carrying the Fairtade Mark have met the rigorous social, economic and environmental standards required for Fairtrade certification. Fairtrade America and Fairtrade International do not own the concept of “fair trade,” which is a movement towards equitable trade but does not reflect any third-party certification.