Worldgoods Becomes Full Member of U.S. Fair Trade Federation

Over the last couple of months, Worldgoods Fair Trade has been preparing, submitting, and receiving feedback on our business practices during the screening process of becoming a member of the U.S. Fair Trade Federation. After members of the board evaluated Worldgoods as a whole, including checking international and local references, reviewing financial data, and examining all aspects of our company, we're proud to announce that the board's decision was to accept Worldgoods Fair Trade into the U.S. Fair Trade Federation for full and immediate membership.

Our excitement for our artisans, especially those in The Gambia, West Africa, is growing as we realize the exposure and validation will continue to help fulfill our mission as a company. For these Gambian artisans, women, and families, Worldgoods is the first and only U.S. Fair Trade Federation member representing and marketing their goods at this time.

Soon, you'll begin to see the Fair Trade Federation "stamp" or "logo" on some of our printed material, but that doesn't mean we've changed our values or commitment. In fact, it's a promise to continue to work even harder at ensuring every decision we make is one that will help fulfill our mission of economic justice, positive global relationships, and providing assistance to disadvantaged or marginalized people around the world.

To view some of the products that represent the pledge of Fair Trade Federation members, please click here.

From the Global Exchange Website:
Q. What is Fair Trade?

A. Fair trade means that farmers, workers, and artisans: receive a sufficient price under direct long-term contracts,
are small-scale producers in democratic co-ops (coffee, cocoa, bananas, fruits, crafts) or workers on larger farms who receive a living wage and can bargain collectively (tea, bananas, fruits), don't use abusive child labor or forced labor, and use ecologically sustainable methods.

Fair Trade products bear the "Fair Trade Certified" label and the "Fair Trade Federation" logo. TransFair USA is the third-party certification agency that places the "Fair Trade Certified" label on coffee, chocolate, cocoa, tea, bananas, and other fruits; and is the USA's affiliate of the Fair Trade Labelling Organizations International. The Fair Trade Federation is an association of businesses that follow Fair Trade principles exclusively.

The presence of the Fair Trade Certified label or Fair Trade Federation logo on a product is the only guarantee that every step from the producer to you has followed international fair trade criteria. For the specific guidelines, see the Fair Trade Labelling Organizations International and the
Fair Trade Federation.

To read more Fair Trade Q&A, please visit the Global Exchange Website.