October is Fair Trade Month

With October here (and winter peeking around the corner) the harvest at local farmers' markets is leveling off. While the change in weather is making it harder to buy food from local and sustainable sources, it leaves us a perfect opportunity to celebrate Fair Trade Month.

Since we might not be able to make as big an impact on our own community during these colder months, why not make an effort to make a positive impact on other communities with our buying choices? With Fair Trade purchases, you may not be supporting your local community, but you can be sure you are affecting someones local community and life in a fair and just way.

TransFair USA, the nonprofit group that certifies Fair Trade products in United States and is running this month-long celebration says:

Fair Trade is a system that empowers farmers in the developing world to lift themselves out of poverty by guaranteeing a fair price for their harvest. Fair Trade certification requires fair prices, safe labor conditions, direct trade, community development, environmental sustainability, and democratic and transparent organizations.

You can check in with TransFair USA every day in October here to find Fair Trade events in your area, to learn facts and new ways to support Fair Trade, and to read profiles on Fair Trade farmers, workers, and companies.

While the organics movement is so often about ourselves (our bodies, our health, our exposure to chemicals), the Fair Trade Movement really opens the dialogue to acknowledge the people on the other side of our food markets. We love to put a face to the tomatoes and butternut squash that we buy at the farmer's market, so why not start making an effort to do that with all of our food?

You can find Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea, chocolate, bananas, rice, sugar, vanilla, honey, flowers, wine, and herbs. If you don't see Fair Trade options at your local store, pipe up and ask for them.

For more information on Fair Trade, and how you can participate, check out the video below, or visit www.transfairusa.org.

(Article courtesy of: www.seriouseats.com)