Why Your Small Business Should Support Fair Trade Certified Products
October is Fair Trade Month. It is about supporting businesses that are Fair Trade Certified. These businesses create equality in the international trade system through respect and transparency. Americans are encouraged to shop Fair Trade businesses this month in their communities.
Last year, Fair Trade USA impacted over 975,000 farmers and workers in 45 countries across Africa, Asia, Oceania, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Fair Trade USA stated that “the fair trade market is growing because of businesses’ dedication to Fair Trade USA standards. As a result, consumer awareness of the Fair Trade Certified seal is at 63%—nearly double what it was in 2008.”
Fair Trade product categories include:
- Bananas
- Avocados
- Coffee
- Chocolate
- Textiles
- Clothing
Here are the benefits of why your business should support Fair Trade Certified products.
Help End Poor Working Conditions
Certifications prevent poverty due to businesses paying low wages. It also focuses on ending sweatshop labor conditions. This assists producers in developing countries to achieve fair trade relationships.
Back Your Mission
If your small business sells or uses Fair Trade Certified products, it supports your business’s philanthropy of promoting the welfare of others. It motivates your community to support this movement. Your business will have a meaningful impact on equality and do something good for the world.
Focus on Sustainability
Environmental degradation is another focal point of Fair Trade Certified products. This includes the depletion of air, water, and soil resources; the destruction of ecosystems; habitat destruction; the extinction of wildlife; and pollution. Your business would support environmentally friendly business practices to reduce the amount of degradation.
Keeping up with consumer trends is important for small businesses, and this is a topic that many people care about. This will attract more customers to your business if you support the causes they believe in.
Find Fair Trade Certified Products
When a customer spots the green and blue Fairtrade Mark, they can shop with confidence and know that your business is making a positive impact on the world. Both the business and consumer are using their purchasing power to support farmers and workers who deserve to enjoy sustainable livelihoods and equality. Not sure where to start? Check out these Fair Trade Certified products.
We encourage your business to support Fair Trade Certified products. Sell certified food items at your stores like avocados and bananas. Make employee uniforms from Fair Trade clothing. If you sell coffee or offer it for free to customers/employees, find a Fair Trade option. Supporting these products stimulates business growth and opportunity.
PL Consulting is here as your business’s go-to resource when you have questions. Not sure how Fair Trade products fit into your business plan? Call us at 410.764.3731. We customize our services to each of our clients and their business plans.