
The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is a nonprofit trade association that provides support to and promotes North American businesses that they identify as being fully committed to the principles of fair trade.
What is the purpose of Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is a system of certification that aims to ensure a set of standards are met in the production and supply of a product or ingredient. For farmers and workers, Fairtrade means workers' rights, safer working conditions and fairer pay. For shoppers it means high quality, ethically produced products.
What are the benefits of Fairtrade?
Fairtrade can provide producer support and expertise in deepening gender equality. For workers employed on Fairtrade certified plantations, investment of the Fairtrade Premium into education, better housing, better schools, and medical facilities is highly valued.
What is fair trade and who benefits from it?
Fair trade makes the world a better place When you treat farmers and workers fairly, everyone benefits. Fair trade helps businesses source products that are ethically and sustainably produced while giving consumers confidence that the people behind the products they buy get a fair deal for their hard work.
What are the largest goals benefits of Fairtrade?
Just by working with Fairtrade, you help to tackle some of the biggest global challenges to people and to businesses. These include human rights and child labour, sustainable livelihoods and the fight against deforestation and the climate crisis.
Who does Fairtrade benefit more?
In theory, fair trade offers small farmers and workers the protections needed for a sustainable livelihood. 1. Income sustainability: Fair trade helps producers set minimum prices, which help protect fair trade farmers and workers against erratic market prices.
How many people benefit from Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is a global organisation There are over 1.9 million farmers and workers in 1,880 producer organisations across 71 countries in the Fairtrade system.
How does Fairtrade benefit poor countries?
Fair Trade is a trading partnership – based on dialogue, transparency and respect – that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalised producers and workers – especially in the south.
How does Fairtrade benefit poor countries?
Fair Trade is a trading partnership – based on dialogue, transparency and respect – that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalised producers and workers – especially in the south.
How does Fairtrade benefit developing countries?
Fairtrade believes the best way to eliminate poverty is to pay farmers a fair price for their produce and workers a fair wage for their labour. We put fair prices first because farmers and workers in developing countries deserve a decent income and decent work.
When did the Fair Trade Federation start?
The FTF began through alliances formed in the late 1970s when individual alternative trade organizations began holding yearly conferences for groups working in fair trade. In 1994, the group incorporated formally as the North American Alternative Trade Organization (NAATO) and, the following year, changed its name to the Fair Trade Federation.
What is FTF in business?
FTF runs annual conferences and offers resources to help entrepreneurs begin and strengthen their fair trade operations. It provides business owners with a forum through which to network with other fair trade businesses and raises awareness about the perceived importance of fair trade.
What is the FTF?
The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is a nonprofit trade association that provides support to and promotes North American businesses that they identify as being fully committed to the principles of fair trade.
Is FTF a member of IFAT?
FTF has been an active member of the World Fair Trade Organization (formerly IFAT) for many years.
Why is fair trade important?
Based on the simple idea that the products bought and sold every day are connected to the livelihoods of others, fair trade is a way to make a conscious choice for a better world.
What is fair trade?
Fair trade is a global movement made up of a diverse network of producers, companies, consumers, advocates, and organizations putting people and planet first. We at Fair Trade USA ® believe that everyone wants to do what’s right – for their families, fellow global citizens, and the planet.
What does it mean when a product is fair trade certified?
When you see a product with the Fair Trade Certified seal, you can be sure it meets rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards. That means:

Overview
The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is a nonprofit trade association that provides support to and promotes North American businesses that they identify as being fully committed to the principles of fair trade. In this vein, it describes itself as "part of the global fair trade movement, promoting a system that aims to pay fair wages and create long-term, direct trading relationships based on dialogue, transparency, equity and respect."
History
The FTF began through alliances formed in the late 1970s when individual alternative trade organizations began holding yearly conferences for groups working in fair trade. In 1994, the group incorporated formally as the North American Alternative Trade Organization (NAATO) and, the following year, changed its name to the Fair Trade Federation. Since then, FTF has focused on supporting businesses aligned with its fair trade ideology in order to expand markets for artisans
Principles
FTF states that its members are required to commit to the following nine principles in all of their transactions:
• Create opportunities for economically and socially marginalized producers
• Develop transparent and accountable relationships
Membership
FTF members undergo a rigorous screening process to try to ensure adherence to the organization's principles. The Federation does not certify individual products, but instead evaluates an entire business for its commitment to Fair Trade. FTF members include retailers, wholesalers of agricultural and handmade goods, cafés, and coffee shops.
Activities
FTF runs annual conferences and offers resources to help entrepreneurs begin and strengthen their fair trade operations. It provides business owners with a forum through which to network with other fair trade businesses and raises awareness about the perceived importance of fair trade.
In Boston on September 10–12, 2010, FTF cosponsored the Fair Trade Futures Conference—the l…
Partners
• World Fair Trade Organization (formerly known as IFAT)
• Equiterre
• Green America
• World Fair Trade Organization - Asia
External links
• The Fair Trade Federation, official website
• FTF's Member Directory