Fresh From the Farm believes in Fair Trade as an alternative approach to conventional international trade. Fair Trade promotes social equity, economic security and sound environmental practices. The World Fair Trade Organization outlines 10 standards that are essential for Fair Trade. These include:
- Finding ways to create opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers
- Transparency and respect in management and commercial relations with trading partners
- Developing the producers’ independence
- Raising awareness about Fair Trade and the possibilities for creating greater justice in world trade
- Negotiating a fair price for goods in the local context
- Promoting gender equity
- Providing safe and healthy working conditions
- Respect for the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Encouraging sound and responsible environmental practices
- Trade is conducted with concern for the social, economic, and environmental well-being of small producers
Ten Thousand Villages, a programme of Mennonite Central Committee, provides vital, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America.