OAKLAND, Ca. – To kick off Fair Trade Month, Fair Trade USA, the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in North America, announces the launch of Fair Trade Certified products across new categories including home goods, apparel and coconut. In 2014, Fair Trade USA partnered with 109 new companies (for a total of 915), and helped launch 455 new Fair Trade Certified products into the North American market.
This October, Fair Trade USA certified retailers, brands and ethically-minded consumers join together in celebration of the global impact of Fair Trade. Visit BeFair.org to find information about Fair Trade Month, and simple ways to show your support for the farmers and workers who grow, sew and make our favorite products – from chocolate bars and coconut water to t-shirts and rugs.
More Ways to Buy Fair, Be Fair
The growth and increased availability of Fair Trade products empowers shoppers to choose items that make a real difference – from ensuring factory workers receive safe working conditions, to helping farmers and workers improve their communities and environment to grow and sew the best products possible. 2014 marked a milestone year with the launch of new Fair Trade Certified product categories: coconut, apparel and home goods, as well as the expansion of categories like chocolate, tea and fresh produce.
These products are made by more than 1.4 million farmers and workers in 70 countries across the globe who are working to fight poverty through better trade. Key highlights from 2014 include:
- Fair Trade is Welcomed Home: Home furnishings retailer West Elm introduces the first-ever Fair Trade Certified rugs, handcrafted in India and available this month. Known for their luxurious, organic bedding, Boll & Branch releases a collection of Fair Trade Certified sheets, pillowcase and cable knit throws.
- Fair Trade Closets Fill Up: Outdoor clothing company Patagonia introduces its inaugural line of 10 women’s yoga styles. prAna extends its line of Fair Trade Certified styles for both men and women. Oliberté expands its line of the first-ever shoes made in a Fair Trade Certified factory with new women’s styles. PACT launches an impressive 78 different items across 19 product styles including the first ever Fair Trade Certified™ baby clothes, and Mountain Equipment Co-Op brings Fair Trade fashion to stores in Canada with women’s tees.
- Coconut Boom: Fair Trade USA welcomes coconut into its offerings to help close the gap between skyrocketing sales in North America, and poverty-level incomes earned by coconut farmers in the Philippines. New products include Coco Libre Coconut Water, Naked Coconut Water, Nutiva Coconut Oil, Dang Chocolate Coated Coconut Chips, Nutiva O’Coconut Treats and Arrowhead Mills Organic Coconut Flour.
- Additional new products across Fair Trade USA’s robust food and beverage categories include: BJ’s Wellsley Farms bakery products featuring Fair Trade Certified sugar, Green Mountain Coffee K-cup teas, Ito En green tea bags, Near East quinoa blends, Numi turmeric teas, TOMS Roasting Co. coffee and much more.
To get involved this Fair Trade Month:
- When shopping, look for the Fair Trade Certified label and Buy Fair. Try swapping one item in your daily routine – like changing your cup of coffee or banana for the Fair Trade version. Or, make a commitment to buy at least one Fair Trade product every time you shop.
- Visit BeFair.org for information about Fair Trade products and categories including interactive Pinterest pages featuring new Fair Trade Certified items.
- Did You Know? Check out the Fair Trade Facts at BeFair.org
- Read and share stories, videos and educational infographics about the impact you can make when you Buy Fair.
- Participate in the #BeFair Twitter party on Tuesday, October 7, at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT to learn about Fair Trade and win Fair Trade prizes.
- Join the #BeFair social media community for daily Fair Trade giveaways.
To learn more about Fair Trade USA, visit www.FairTradeCertified.org, follow @fairtradeusa on Twitter, at @FairTradeUSA on Instagram, and “like” the Fair Trade USA Facebook page.
