If you’ve ever searched through our teas by Certification, you’ve probably noticed that there are three main certifications we use: Kosher Certification, Organic Certification, and Fair Trade Certification. We’ve already touched on what makes our products Organic Certified, but what is Fair Trade and how does a product earn Fair Trade Certification?

On a most basic level, Fair Trade products help maintain balance and equality for farmers around the world. This is particularly influential in developing countries where workers can be marginalized or taken advantage of. Companies committed to Fair Trade practices help these smaller farms and their workers by adhering to principles that promote fairness and ethical business practices. There are three major benefits to using a Fair Trade product, like our French Lemon Ginger or Tali’s Masala Chai.

Fair Business Deals

Goods that are produced or purchased and receive a Fair Trade certification have ethical origins. That could mean the farmer who produced the product got a fair deal or that the manufactured item was created by adults instead of children. Because many Fair Trade products come from developing countries, this is doubly beneficial. Instead of donating to a Community in need, you can contribute to the economic growth of that community by supporting its businesses. When you buy products from these businesses, you’re allowing the farmers and workers to create their own financial independence and success. 

Contribute to the Community

Implicitly, you’re helping the community by stoking the flames of its local economy. Explicitly, some of the funds from your Fair Trade purchase will go directly to the community itself. Communities involved in Fair Trade production can use additional funds to support a cause or mission of their choosing. These missions, which are chosen by the community in a democratic manner, can range from health clinics to education systems. 

Good For the Enviornment

Finally, Fair Trade products must be good for the Earth. After all, it’s silly to help a community while you’re also destroying their environment. Fair Trade producers grow their goods in a way that won’t harm the planet. For example, imagine two tea farms. The first is Fair Trade and in a small community where a team of farmers and workers tend to the plants each day. The other is an industrialized farm that uses vehicles and other pollution-producing tools to maintain the tea leaves. When small farms are given the opportunity to compete with industrialized farms, your support can help those farms protect the environment.

If you want to try Fair Trade tea yourself, you can shop all of Art of Tea’s Fair Trade-certified teas on our site!        

The post Fair-ly Delicious: Your Guide to Fair Trade Tea appeared first on ArtOfTea.