Fair Trade // Fair trade is a growing, international movement and positive, viable solution to the inequalities of the current system of global trade. Fair trade offers farmers and artisans a living wage, affordable credit and direct and long-term trading partnerships.
The Injustices of Free Trade // Free trade, exemplified by regional trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, has opened countries up to international trade by eliminating tariffs and trade restrictions. While trade liberalization has increased trade and generated tremendous amounts of revenue, the positive results are seen only by a fortunate few. While multinational corporations experience high levels of profit, farmers and artisans in developing countries, unable to compete with the giants of the international market, are forced to sell their products at prices below the cost of production. This has resulted in lower living standards, job loss, rural dislocation, global racial inequalities, widespread toxic dumping and environmental degradation.
Solution: Fair Trade! // Fair trade is a strong tool that gives consumers an opportunity to use their power as a purchaser to tilt the system to favor those who have suffered. Through MPIRG's Fair Trade Project, students are taking the individual act of purchasing fair trade products to a higher level. Across the state of Minnesota, students at each MPIRG campus are working with their peers, faculty and staff, administration and broader community to bring fair trade products to their campuses. Fair trade creates a partnership between producers and consumers to offer high-quality goods that are made under socially and environmentally sustainable conditions. Every member of a college, university or community can make socially responsible choices in their everyday lives that have real and meaningful results.
What You Can Do
- Encourage your supermarket to carry fair trade products. Fill out a comment card or write them a letter telling them why you would like to see more fair trade products on the shelves.
- Bring fair trade to work: suggest that your office try fair trade coffee for a month.
- Be a conscious consumer: make an effort to buy items like coffee, tea and fruit that carry the fair trade label.
- Get involved with MPIRG’s Fair Trade Campaign and be a part of the movement!
Check out MPIRG's Fair Trade Project Sponsors!
Fair Trade and Faith // The Twin Cities Fair Trade Alliance is a group of faith based organizations who support fair trade by serving Fair Trade coffee, and educating their members on the importance of fair trade, and the importance of faith in the movement.
Twin Cities Fair Trade Alliance // Sign the petition to get the U of M to stop using sweatshops as their suppliers.
Links and Resources
MPIRG's Fair Trade Project Fact Sheet (PDF download).
MPIRG’s fair trade Tri-Fold (PDF download).
MPIRG’s fair trade FAQs (PDF download).
TransFair USA: is the third-party certifier of fair trade products in the US.
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