Fair Trade connects consumers with the people and environment that shape the making of their purchases. Consumer demand can be a powerful force to motivate corporations to shift towards more humane & environmentally sound production practices. Through being aware of where and how products are made, consumers can empower themselves by making informed choices about where their money goes, making a statement and setting president through socially conscious spending.

What is the difference between Free Trade and Fair Trade?

Free trade refers to an elimination of government intervention in all economic processes. It is based in Laissez-Fair, or free market economics, which holds that the common good is best served by the uninhibited pursuit of self-interest and that competitive, free markets balance out supply and demand and therefore lead to the best division of resources. Laissez-Faire economics characterized international policies at the turn of the 20th century; they have emerged in recent times as the underlying theory behind economic globalization. The problem with free trade is that under its principles, trade regulations that promote workers’ rights or protect the environment are considered to be barriers to the free, open market system. Corporate irresponsibility and the ‘race to the bottom’, including the exploitation of workers and environmental degradation, proves to be the most lucrative short-term path and can be defended as morally neutral according to the free trade model.

Meanwhile, Fair Trade takes into account the impact of various types of corner-cutting, striving towards a sustainable, alternative model of global trade that is based on economic justice. It sets limits on trade practices, favoring human and environmental rights regulations over the completely unregulated free trade system. In order for a product to be considered Fair Trade Certified its producers must receive a fair price, meaning a living wage in their local context. Working conditions must be healthy and safe with no instances of forced labor or child labor abuse. Fair Trade products are produced under long-term trade partnerships between buyers and producers and equal employment opportunities are given to workers. Sustainable production practices as well as financial and technological assistance are encouraged. Also, Fair Trade production must be open to public accountability. Fair Trade does not guarantee that a product was grown organically, but 85% of Fair Trade products are also organic.

How can I be a conscious consumer?

One problem with Fair Trade products is that it can be difficult to be a conscious consumer on a tight budget. Fair Trade products tend to be slightly more expensive because of the better business practices employed insuring that all involved in the production process benefit. While working for Fair Trade to support living wages internationally, a simultaneous effort to work toward a living wage for local workers complements the Fair Trade effort. An alternative to buying Fair Trade products from abroad is to buy locally made and grown products at places like the Berkeley farmers’ markets. This way, the middle-person is cut out of the production process, linking consumers more closely with producers (which can actually make the products more affordable). Buying locally is a way to support small-scale farmers who practice sustainable agriculture: as producers sell their own products and set their own prices, workers are more likely to receive a living wage for their labor. These farmers are also legally required to uphold U.S. labor standards (though unfair labor practices do continue to occur), while non-Fair Trade farmers abroad are not monitored to insure their adherence to any international labor standards. Also, more than half of the produce available at Berkeley’s farmer’s markets is registered or certified organically grown. It’s fresh, fairly affordable, and a lot of fun to visit!

Berkeley farmers’ markets are held at the following times and locations:

Saturdays 10 – 3 @ Center and M. L. King

Tuesdays 2 – 7 @ Derby and M. L. King

Thursdays 3 - 7 (All Organic) @ Shattuck and Rose

See ecologycenter.org for more details on the farmers’ market

NOTE: Introduction may be cut in print edition for space requirements