Supporting Fair Trade
What is Fair Trade?
~ Quality Products ~ Improving Lives ~ Protecting the Planet ~
Fair Trade goods are just that. Fair. From far-away farms to the shopping cart, products that bear the Fair Trade USA logo come from farmers and workers who are justly compensated. Fair Trade USA helps farmers in developing countries build sustainable businesses that positively influence their communities. They teach disadvantaged communities how to use the free market to their advantage. With Fair Trade USA, the money shoppers spend on day-to-day goods can improve an entire community’s day-to-day lives.
For more information:
fairtradeusa.org/what-is-fair-trade#School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) support and believe in Fair Trade, which the Oxford Dictionary defines as, “Trade between companies in developed countries and producers in developing countries in which fair prices are paid to the producers.” Ultimately, by following Catholic social teaching principles of respecting the dignity of work and caring for the poor, people can make a profound difference.
We celebrate Fair Trade awareness two times during the year. On May 11, 2019, we recognize World Fair Trade Day; while October is Fair Trade Awareness Month. The focus of the month is to encourage community leaders and organizations to use and serve Fair Trade products. SSNDs throughout the province support fair trade efforts in their own home and work environments. Join SSND on these important dates by shopping for only Fair Trade items and making an effort to be aware of what you are purchasing every day.
Join the many sisters who have taken the pledge to:
- Commit to continue to educate ourselves, colleagues, employees and others regarding Fair Trade
- Use, and continue to add, Fair Trade products in our food service and for meetings held on our campuses.
SSNDs serve in countries where Fair Trade practices would enhance the living conditions of people who struggle to make a living harvesting items such as cocoa, palm oil, bananas and other products. The sisters see first-hand the devastation of poor living conditions and limited access to fair wages. When people of these regions are taught the economic advantages of a free market, they can improve their lives. All of us can support Fair Trade by learning about the products being purchased.
To build support for Fair Trade practices, SSND campuses are using Fair Trade items such as coffee, tea, sugar, chocolates and bananas. Sisters also try to keep their purchases environmentally friendly by using beet sugar and other safe products. In addition, sisters are researching possibilities for purchasing other items, such as olive oil, baking cocoa and imported nuts.
Through Fair Trade, people use their economic power to contribute to the common good.
Fair Trade Resources:
Photograph by Bennett Wetch © 2014 Fair Trade USA. All Rights Reserved.