Are you a conscious consumer or even better a mindful citizen? Is Fair Trade a means to that end or not? Personally, I look for local organic, if that is not available I look for organic, then local, and then fair trade. I suppose one of the reasons I don't buy more Fair Trade is because I tend to avoid buying stuff from far flung locales, for example, I don't drink coffee, and I don't buy banana's. My weakness is dark chocolate and I usually end up with fair trade organic Divine chocolate available here in the UK.Here's a link to an excellent discussion on Fair Trade over on AltGlobe.
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2 comments:
I see Fair Trade as being local. It certainly impacts communities all over the world in a local way - socially, politically and environmentally. Fair Trade is as much about philosophy as it is about price - though currently you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise. World Fair Trade Day 09 should start to paint a clearer picture. My personal addiction is Cafédirect Machu Picchu, yep, coffee.
Thanks for the Comment Robin,
I'd be interested in more about your ideas of Fair Trade as being supportive of local economy.
I considered that idea when I was posting but was unsure about it. Fair Trade is so connected with the developing world in the media and in my mind that I'm unsure about how it benefits local economy if those economies are in the developed world, aside from supporting the shops that provide Fair Trade goods.
I'm not up on Fair Trade and it's activities in the UK but I'd be pleasantly surprised if it was working to improve the lives of workers, growers and producers here in the UK.
I definitely agree with the philosophy and the pressure, however slight, Fair Trade places on the Wal Marts of the world. I much prefer to shop in the Oxfam store and if Fair Trade help make Oxfam a going concern then all the better.
Sounds like this is worth a closer look.
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