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World Fair Trade Day 2013:

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Wholesome Sweeteners Celebrates $10 Million of Social Premiums

Wholesome Sweeteners holds fast to a ‘Fairtrade, Not Aid’ philosophy. The company pioneered fairtrade certification for sweeteners in the US and in so doing, fostered ever-widening agricultural and community development programs for its farmer cooperatives in South America, Africa and Mexico.

Since pioneering Fairtrade in 2005, Wholesome Sweeteners has paid almost $10 million in social premiums to benefit farming and beekeeping cooperatives in the developing world. The company has created a compelling economic incentive to protect communities, traditions and the environment. This means farmers can compete against factory farms, send their kids to school, develop the quality of their crops and build essential community resources. Fairtrade premiums are paid above the price of sugar, agave and honey.

Wholesome Sweeteners is committed to the highest standards of environmentally and socially responsible farming and processing methods.

Harmful agrochemicals and GMO’s are strictly prohibited in the production of its products. The company’s environmentally sustainable farming methods protect farmers’ health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.

Conventional agricultural methods cause water contamination from run-off. The organic farmers’ elimination of polluting chemicals prevents contamination and conserves water resources. Choosing organic products helps the environment by reducing chemical; pesticide and fertilizer run-off in to our rivers, lakes, streams and oceans.

MAKING THE WORLD A SWEETER PLACE … ONE SPOONFUL AT A TIME FOR OVER 10 YEARS

Wholesome Sweeteners celebrates Making The World A Sweeter Place. Based in Sugar Land, Texas, Wholesome is the nation’s leader in Fairtrade Certified, Certified Organic and natural sugars, agaves, syrups and honey all made from nature’s best resources.

www.WholesomeSweeteners.com

Find Wholesome Sweeteners on Facebook and Twitter

www.facebook.com/Wholesomesweeteners

https://twitter.com/WholesomeSweet

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Dr. Bronner’s Making Long Term Investment in Fair Trade

What do you do if your grandfather creates an iconic soap brand by preaching on his packaging people must work to unite the entire human race?

In 2006, the answer for the then 33 year-old Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps President David Bronner was straight forward. He simply tried to put the lofty goals of his eccentric grandfather to their practical application. David did this by setting the goal of certifying his entire supply chain as fair trade ASAP.  As a result of engaging with North American fair trade movement leaders on how to do this, he quickly discovered the loftiness of his own goals would never be reached without hard work and a bit of thinking outside the box.

The obstacle David faced head on was that he had no choice but to foster fair trade certification in agricultural sectors not traditionally fair trade, including olive, coconut, palm, and peppermint oil production.   Dr. Bronner’s unconventional decision of being the first US brand to use the Swiss based fair trade certifier IMO in the US market has opened the way to competition in fair trade certification in North America.

Today the benefits of fair trade investments Dr. Bronner’s made are expanding into communities as diverse as Ghana, Palestine, Sri Lanka and India.  An iconic brand long associated with hippie culture and vegans, now claims more than 95% of its raw materials are certified fair trade.  The family owned business has grown to more 100 employees in the US and partners with thousands of fair trade certified small-scale farmers in its supply chain.

Photo: From left, David Bronner and Nasser Abufarha of the Palestine Fair Trade Association sitting under an ancient olive tree in the West Bank, Palestine, earlier this year.

Growth in the number of fair trade products in the marketplace overall with diluted claims has prompted Dr. Bronner’s to become an outspoken supporter of strong fair trade standards.  They have publicly criticized dilution of fair trade labeling standards.

Dr. Bronner’s has also been a big supporter of the Fair World Project, a three year old watch-dog organization that is also sponsoring more than 800 in-store events for World Fair Trade Day this May 11.  It’s 2012 retail promotion generated excitement around a “Fair Trade Adventure” contest. Last year two lucky winners went to visit Dr. Bronner’s fair trade coconut project in Sri Lanka.

This year, you and a friend can enter for a chance to win a 9-day fair trade adventure to Peru this World Fair Trade Day. The lucky winners will visit with cacao and coffee cooperative farmers who supply Alter Eco and Equal Exchange while exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Cuzco and majestic Machu Picchu.

“We’ve teamed up with like minded fair trade brands to help Fair World Project hold over 800 events in retail stores nationwide in celebration of World Fair Trade Day on May 11,” says David Bronner.

The Fair World Project’s campaign is advancing the interests of small-scale farmers in economically challenged situations. Besides Dr. Bronner’s the Fair World Project campaign is sponsored by Alaffia, Alter Eco, Divine Chocolate, Equal Exchange, Farmer Direct Co-operative and Maggie’s Organics.

World Fair Trade Day is an annual initiative of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). In March, Dr. Bronner’s was pleased to be admitted into the WFTO. This year’s World Fair Trade Day theme is Fair Trade Relationships. This theme represents a key fair trade principle brands put at the core of their business structures.

“This focus allows us to contribute to the transformation of the global economy into one that benefits all people in a products supply chain instead of favoring just the largest economic interests,” says Bronner.

In-store retailer education events country-wide for World Fair Trade Day will include screenings of a new informative video about the relationship we have to the people who make the things we buy.

More information about Dr. Bronner’s fair trade program

Watch video

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Partnering in Fair Trade with Frontier Natural Products Co-op Benefits Sri Lanka Spice Farmer

Read story in PDF file

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Fairtrade America: Bringing the Power of the International Fairtrade System to the United States

Fairtrade America launched this year as the new organization representing the international Fairtrade system in the United States.  Fairtrade America is dedicated to expanding the benefits of the international Fairtrade system – and to working with companies, retailers, producers and all fair trade advocates so that more Americans will learn about fair trade, buy fair trade products and have the opportunity to play an active part in empowering small farmers and workers to improve their lives.

Fairtrade works to secure a better deal for farmers and workers and offers consumers a powerful way to instigate change through their everyday shopping. Fairtrade America is excited about the growing number of companies that want to use the international FAIRTRADE Mark.  While new to the United States, the label is the most recognized and trusted ethical mark worldwide, backed by internationally-agreed social, economic and environmental Fairtrade standards and audited by a rigorous certification system that is unique in that it covers the entire supply chain – from farm to shelf.

Fairtrade’s vision is for a world in which all producers can enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfill their potential and decide on their future.

For the past 25 years the international Fairtrade system has taken the vision of pioneering fair traders to the wider public.  Here’s how Fairtrade International has grown:

- The international Fairtrade system includes 991 producer organizations and more than 1.2 million smallholders and workers in 66 countries
- Fairtrade organizations like Fairtrade America operate in 24 countries
- Fairtrade products are sold in more than 120 countries

More than $86 million in Fairtrade premium was paid to producers in 2011 for investment in social, environmental or economic development projects. This premium – paid on top of the agreed price for Fairtrade products – is typically invested in education and healthcare, farm improvements to increase yield and quality, or processing facilities to increase income.

Producers are at the heart of Fairtrade

Farmers and workers have a strong say in how Fairtrade is run. They are represented in Fairtrade’s General Assembly and hold seats on the Board of Directors and its committees. In 2012, the Fairtrade General Assembly voted unanimously to make producers equal owners of the global Fairtrade system.

Fairtrade America is proud to be part of an international Fairtrade system that is united behind a common framework to reform global trade in favor of justice. The system’s shared strategy, Unlocking the Power of the Many, outlines a commitment to work together to unlock the power of disadvantaged producers and workers.  In Fairtrade America’s work with smallholders – supporting them to organize, to build thriving businesses and communities – this commitment means:

  • In coffee, cocoa, cotton and sugar, Fairtrade will only work with smallholders.
  • Fairtrade will focus on developing farmers’ organizational capacity, their ability to run businesses and to trade.
  • Many Fairtrade smallholders groups are beacons of best practice, showing how smallholders can engage in trade. Fairtrade America will support them in their work.
  • Fairtrade will support groups to add value to their crops, for example through improving quality or processing, and Fairtrade will create more access to markets and financing.

Read more about the Fairtrade strategic framework, Unlocking the Power of the Many here (PDF).

Celebrating World Fair Trade Day

As part of the World Fair Trade Day activities we are delighted to offer fair trade supporters in the United States a chance to win a basket of Fairtrade certified chocolates, coffee, tea, flowers, a Make Your Own Gummies kit, ice cream, honey, t-shirts and more!

Two lucky winners will receive a basket of Fairtrade certified products and other items from Ben & Jerry’s, BloomQuest, Divine Chocolate, FreshBlooms, Glee Gum, Green & Black’s, Equal Exchange/Oké USA, SeredipiTea, Steep & Brew, Thanksgiving Coffee, and Wholesome Sweeteners. For more details and to enter the Fairtrade America World Fair Trade Day Prize Drawing, click here.

JOIN Fairtrade America! For the latest information, including stories about how fair trade is making a difference for millions of farmers and workers around the world and how you can get involved, join Fairtrade America on Facebook, Twitter and at www.fairtradeamerica.org.