What is a fair trade?
In short, it is a general fairness in trade based on social justice. Fair trade is a market-based social movement aimed at alleviating poverty and promoting self sustainability.
A fair trade wine is a trading partnership focused on producing a wine certified to be based on a fair price, fair labor conditions, direct trade, transparency, community development, and environmental sustainability.
- Fair Price: The democratically organized growers receive a guaranteed minimum price based on the local context plus an additional premium for certified organic products.
- Fair Labor Conditions: Fair trade farm workers receive a living wage, gender equality, respect, and are assured safe working conditions. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited.
- Direct Trade: Importers purchase from fair trade producers as directly as possible. The unnecessary mark ups of middlemen are eliminated, thus allowing the fair price to be paid to farmers. Farmers in turn learn how to strengthen their organizations and to be competitive players on the global market.
- Transparency: Implies an openness, communication and accountability for everyone involved.
- Community Development: Fair trade premiums are invested in the community on programs such as water improvement, education, senior living assistance, business development, health programs, and housing.
- Environmental sustainability: Harmful chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are strictly prohibited in favor of farming methods that protect the farmers’ health and preservers the land for future generations.
Who certifies the fair trade wines for Organic Wine Trade Company?
TransFair USA, a non-profit organization, certifies the wines for Organic Wine Trade Company.
Who is TransFair USA?
TransFair is the only independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade Products in the United States and one of 21 members of Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO).
TransFair’s rigorous audit system, which tracks products from farm to finished product, verifies industry compliance with Fair Trade criteria. TransFair allows U.S. companies to display the Fair Trade Certified™ label on products that meet strict Fair Trade standards.
About TransFair USA
TransFair USA, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, is one of 21 members of Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO), and the only independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. TransFair USA audits transactions between U.S. companies offering Fair Trade Certified™ products and the international suppliers from whom they source, in order to guarantee that the farmers and workers behind Fair Trade Certified goods were paid above-market prices and fair wages. FLO annually inspects producer organizations to ensure transparency, compliance with socio-economic criteria and sustainable farm management practices, and democratic decision making for investment of Fair Trade premiums. For more information, visit www.fairtradecertified.org.
What do I look for on the bottle to know the wine is Fair Trade Certified™?
All of TransFair’s Fair Trade Certified™ wines represented by the Organic Wine Trade Company will bear the TransFair, USA logo. This logo is your formal guarantee the wine has been through a rigorous audit system and meets industry standards.
Related Websites
For more information on TransFair, USA, please click here.
For more information on Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO), please click here.
For more information on fair trade products, please click here.