Nov
03Many people are now familiar with the Fair Trade Foundation and how they have managed to help thousands of disadvantaged workers in third world countries. It used to be the case that farmers and workers in the fashion and food industry received a poor wage and working conditions. Now though thanks to the raised awareness of the farmer’s plight they now receive a fair wage and a better working and home environment in their communities.
The clothing and food industry are both familiar areas which fair trade affects, but there are many other areas in which we could do well by buying fair trade as opposed to other products. Below are some of the main areas which are known to have fair trade alternatives that we should buy to help support the cause.
Fair Trade Coffee
This was one of the first fair trade items to be introduced in the UK, we drink a lot of coffee in the west (mostly thanks to influx of coffee shop chains) so it’s important that we buy from fair trade companies to make sure the farmers are getting a fair wage and enjoy the success the coffee shops do.
Fair Trade jewellery
A lot of jewellery will take influence from the countries that fair trade initiatives benefit such as South America, it is only right that we get authentic jewellery and that the creators gets a fair wage for their work. Not only this but it will ensure that these artists get a good level of pay for their art, encouraging them to continue making beautiful and exotic pieces for us to wear.
Fair Trade Chocolate
Chocolate comes from the cocoa bean which is similar to the coffee bean which also benefits from fair trade schemes too. Fair trade chocolate used to be fairly over priced initially, partially because they were relatively new and companies were unwilling to lower the price but now they are coming down in price. Prices are now so favourable that many regular and well known chocolate bars are now using fair trade chocolate such as Cadbury’s Dairy Milk.
Fair Trade Beauty Products
Beauty products and products like shampoos, body washes and soaps are often made in third world countries also. A lot of these products are again organic so they do not contain harmful chemicals and artificial products that may have been tested on animals. A lot of people have strong feelings about these issues and so it is well worth buying these products as opposed to other harmful, non-fair trade products.
There are a wide range of fair trade clothing available now proving ethical fashion is popular and serving it’s workers well.
