How Fair Trade Started
Fair Trade began 50 years ago in Africa and Europe. It started with small-scale farmers working in conjunction with international aid organizations from industrialized countries. The farmers and workers in Africa were struggling with a combination of low market prices for their produce and a high dependancy on unscrupulous intermediaries. It entrenched their families and local economies in a cycle of poverty. Together with aid organizations the producers laid the foundation for a trading system that ensured a fair price for their produce and a direct road to European markets.

A New Evolution
From the aid organizations evolved a new type of non-profit business structure known as alternative trade organizations or ATOs. Most were run by volunteers. They set up what were known as World Shops in Europe and North America. Parallel to the ATOs, a new group of entrepreneurs also arose and create for-profit companies that were driven by the principles of Fair Trade. This latter type of companywas and is particularly common in Canada.

Fair Trade Certification
In the late 1980s an international system of Fair Trade certification and labeling was introduced. It was an opportune time to establish a set of standards and labeling as there was a growing consumer demand for Fair Trade products. There was also growing commerical interest. Consumers needed a guarantee that their purchases were truly benefiting the producers and workers. The Fair Trade Certified logo is managed by TransFair Canada, a non-profit organization that provides third-party certification of the products. Companies or organizations wanting to trade, import, produce, or sell Fair Trade Certified products sign a contract with TransFair Canada and must follow stringent business rules and terms for use of the logo. The certification and labeling system has helped increase the scale and scope of products available, bringing Fair Trade Certified products beyond the World Shops into the mainstream grocery stores. There are now 19 national Fair Trade Labeling Initiatives that work under the international umbrella of Fair Trade Labeling Organizations International (FLO). Today, there are close to a million farmers in 44 developing countries working within and benefiting from the sale of Fair Trade certified products.

Today and Tomorrow
The first 50 years of Fair Trade have been filled with many successes. Hundreds of thousands of farmers and workers have gained a greater economic stability as a result and their communities have benefited from important infrastructures paid for by the Fair Trade Certified premiums. Globally, there are dozens of Fair Trade Certified products, such as coffee, tea, rice, bananas, mangos, cocoa, sugar, honey, fruit juices and sports balls. They can be found in stores, small and large, across Europe, Japan, and North America. Other fresh fruit, wines, nuts, oils and non-food products will soon be added to the list of Fair Trade Certified products. While much progress has been made in recent years, many of the same conditions of trade found 50 years ago still exist. There is still a long way to go. However, it may be a quick ride. There is a momentous push coming from the grassroots consumer level to move Fair Trade into the mainstream. Churches, communities, schools, businesses and consumer groups are taking up the cause with energy. The topic of Fair Trade is now reaching the corridors of political and business power. Large grocery store chains are getting involved. Some multinational companies are beginning to offer Fair Trade Ceritifed products. Fair Trade is being promoted by consumer groups not just as a nice alternative, but the way to do business for the future of global trade.

Small-Scale Farmers & Workers
Fair Trade Certified products have helped build economic independence and empowerment for certified farmer cooperatives and their members, bringing them economic stability and a higher standard of living. Beyond being paid a fair price for their produce, the Fair Trade Certified premiums help farmers build necessary social infrastructure of which the following are but some of the examples:
- Improved access to low or no-interest loans
- Technical assistance for building infrastructure to improve production
- Communications systems, and collectively-owned transport and processing equipment
- Better health care and education
- Technical training and skill diversification for cooperative members and their families

Consumers
Fair Trade Certified benefits consumers in the following ways:
- Gives them the option of purchasing according to their principles and values
- Empowers them to be a player in the solution to global trade inequities
- Provides them with products of superior quality
- Assures them of the ethical source of their food and non-food purchases

Environment
Fair Trade rewards and encourages farming and production practices that are environmentally sustainable, such as:
- Integrated farm management systems which minimize pollutants, pesticides and herbicides
- Organic agriculture techniques
- Banning the use of dangerous pesticides