To think that now Ben & Jerry's is going to help me impact global poverty everytime I get an urge for ice-cream, makes me want to find the nearest shop around me as soon as possible.  Recently this beloved company announced that all of their dreamy ice cream flavors globally will only be produced by using fair trade certified ingredients. This goal will be reached in 3 more years. So on a global scale this means that 121 different chunks and swirls which involve 11 different ingredients will be merchandised through working with fair trade cooperatives.  This has the potential to impact 27,000 farmers in developing nations. Not bad for Ben or Jerry!

So why is Rob Cameron, chief executive of Fairtrade labeling Organizations (FLO) International so impressed by Ben & Jerry's global conversion initiative? Well, it seems that fair trade standards have allowed producers in the developing world to gain an economic equality through better prices, working conditions, and by the establishment of better terms of trade.  Because the prices for fair trade products are established through standards set up by FLO, these prices ensure that a producer's costs are covered and also include a fair trade premium.  This premium can be used to help producers maintain sustainability in their local communities. 

Despite the global recession, sales of fair-trade certified products grew by 22% in 2008.  In practical terms, 7.5 million individuals globally were able to be impacted by the benefits of fair trade.  Coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa products, nuts, muffins, and cakes are just some of the fair trade certified products that can be found all around us.  Local companies here in Australia such as Coles and Woolworths are seeing the potential of selling fair trade products and Cadbury's has also committed to taking steps to carry the fair trade label.

It seems that it's going to be much easier for me to impact global poverty as I make a conscious effort to look for products that are fair trade certified the next time I am in the grocery store or want to have a coffee. This initiative will allow my purchases to be purpose driven in a way that is more than just satisfying my afternoon chocolate fix.

As I become more aware of fair-trade and the potential it can continue to have globally, as a consumer I am compelled to do my due diligence in making sure that fair-trade standards maintain their fairness to the producers in the developing nations.  As a member of the global community, I am equally compelled to educate others about this very useful initiative and the long-term benefits of fair trade.  

Re: Fair Trade: Sweet Success

Marta, you can buy the icecream for children that doesnt have the money, and then you wont gain weight, and you will provide smiles.

16 Jun 2010 by Jaime Jara // Mexico

Reply to this

---