What is the FAIRTRADE Mark?
The FAIRTRADE Mark certifies that a product meets Fairtrade standards. This includes the payment to producer organisations of a guaranteed minimum price that covers their costs of sustainable production. This enables small-scale farmers to support their families and invest in a better future.
As well as a fair price, the FAIRTRADE Mark means an additional Fairtrade Premium to invest in projects chosen by farmers and workers. On Fairtrade certified estates, workers can invest this additional money in their local community – on education, clean water supplies, health care or other vital facilities. As well as community projects, farmers' organisations can invest in building up their businesses through agricultural improvements, purchasing processing equipment, or conversion to organic production.
Fairtrade means that disadvantaged farmers in the developing world can live with more security than they have ever known, giving them access to far-flung markets in richer countries often for the first time. Workers will earn a decent wage; children can go to school knowing they have a real chance of a longer and better education.
By switching your choice of tea to one that is Fairtrade certified, you can help make a difference to the lives of farmers and workers in some of the world’s poorest countries.
To learn more about Fairtrade visit www.fairtrade.org.uk.
