Fair Trade and the Environment

Fair Trade USA is working on a brief series of mini-documentaries about Fair Trade certification and its impact on the three realms of sustainability: economics, equity, and environment. They just released the environmental video, and it's worth a watch.



As their video description says, "Fair Trade is not just about earning a higher price for the harvest, it's about learning techniques for sustainable agriculture that help protect the environment and make the world a better place for future generations. To become Fair Trade Certified, farms must adhere to a strict set of environmental standards, including but not limited to: no use of GMO's, minimal and safe use of chemicals, elimination of slash and burn techniques and responsible disposal of waste and water runoff. These standards not only ensure sustainable production practices, but also worker health and safety.

Additionally, while Fair Trade does not require organic certification, it does encourage organic conversion to further enhance environmental commitment."

Just something to keep in mind next time you stop in Crossroads and are deciding between a regular chocolate bar and a Green & Black's Maya Gold Fair Trade and Organic bar!