Fair Trade FAQs When you choose gifts for those you love, why not take a stand against sweatshops, child labor and poverty in developing nations at the same time? Fair trade gifts are a great way to show loved ones that you care and to help the artisans who create them receive fair wages. Here’s what you need to know when shopping with a conscience. 1. What does fair trade mean? Fair trade promotes and supports wages that are fair, helping artisans and craftspeople earn a wage they can live on and that is relative to other skills and trades in their local economy. Fair trade cooperatives pay between 15 percent and 30 percent of the retail price of products to the artisans. 2. Why should you buy fair trade? More of us are opening our eyes to socioeconomic inequality, environmental destruction and the exploitation of workers in underdeveloped countries. It’s easier than you might think to vote with your dollars and act on the fact that you’re conscious of the impact your purchases have on the lives of other people. 3. How do you know it’s really fair trade? Ask before you buy. While many businesses are members of fair trade groups such as the Fair Trade Federation or the International Federation of Alternative Trade, some companies that aren’t members of trade groups still may pay their artisans a fair wage. Ask these companies what criteria they use to select suppliers, whether they meet with suppliers in person, and how they verify working conditions and wages of the artisans. Then make your own decision. 4. Is this just a passing trend? That answer depends partly on consumer demand. If you believe in fair trade, tell your friends, family and coworkers that you’re giving fair trade gifts this year, and tell them how to find out more. You’ll find details on these websites: fairtradefederation.org, ifat.org, transfairusa.org. | 
