Fairtrade America Partners With Six Certified Brands to Encourage Shoppers to Make Purchases With People and the Planet in Mind

Through the ‘Choose Fairtrade. Choose the Planet’ campaign, Fairtrade America and Navitas Organics, Nooch it!, Ethical Bean Coffee, Tag Aloha, Organic India and Endangered Species Chocolate will demonstrate just how easy it is to make an environmentally-friendly purchase.

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2021 | Fairtrade America is the U.S. member organization of Fairtrade International, an independent, third party certification that betters the lives of farmers and workers in developing countries. Today, Fairtrade America announced it has partnered with six Fairtrade certified brands to encourage shoppers to make purchases with people and the planet in mind. Around the world, farmers who grow everyday staples such as coffee, cocoa and bananas, are grappling to adapt to extreme weather and challenging conditions brought about by climate change. These farming families contribute the least to climate change, but often suffer the most. Now, more so than ever, we need to come together as a global community to protect our planet and our farmers. Fairtrade America has joined forces with six Fairtrade certified brands to generate broader awareness of how a simple action, like purchasing a Fairtrade certified product, can be a powerful way to make a difference in the lives of the almost 2 million farmers and workers participating in Fairtrade across the globe, while also combatting troublesome climate issues like decreased harvests due to warmer weather. The mantra? ‘Choose Fairtrade. Choose the Planet.’

The negative impacts of rising temperatures and sea levels are impacting many crops in alarming ways.

“The negative impacts of rising temperatures and sea levels are impacting many crops in alarming ways,” shared Mary Linnell-Simmons, Fairtrade America’s director of marketing and external relations. “Farmers with low incomes have limited access to educational resources and technology that can help them evolve along with our climate. Our hope with this campaign is to shine a light on the importance of recognizing the issues our farmers face, and to show our support by making purchasing decisions that help them earn a fair wage.”

The Fairtrade Mark appears on more than 30,000 products globally and new brands are committing to Fairtrade every day. In an effort to put people and our planet first, Fairtrade America and six ethical brands will host a giveaway on Instagram and Facebook that will celebrate the benefits of Fairtrade certified products, and provide three winners the opportunity to win a Choose Fairtrade: Choose the Planet prize package filled with everyday items that have a reduced impact on our planet and a positive impact on farmers. Each of these Fairtrade certified products are available to purchase on Amazon, easily meeting consumers where they are increasingly shopping for everyday items – online! Several of the brands are also part of the Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly program, which Amazon launched last year to make it easier for customers to discover and shop for sustainable products on the ecommerce platform. Fairtrade is excited to promote small purchase choices making a big impact with the following brands and products:

The giveaway kicked off this morning, and entries will be accepted through Tuesday, June 15. The three winners will be announced on June 16. In addition to the giveaway, throughout the month of June, Fairtrade America will utilize its owned website, social channels and blog to further educate consumers on the impact of climate change on farmers, and how we can partner as a global community to combat this issue. Content will include farmer stories, commodity spotlights and details on the Fairtrade Climate Academy, a three-year pilot program developed to bring coffee farmers together to share skills and experiences that prepare them for future climate-related challenges.

Fairtrade America upholds the most rigorous standards for ethical certification to ensure a tangible, positive impact on the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and their communities in developing countries. With a quarter of its rigorous standards focused on the environment, Fairtrade takes a holistic approach to collaborating with farmers. This includes minimizing environmental impact by restricting use of harmful chemicals, banning GMO seeds, preserving protected forests, and encouraging organic farming when possible. Fairtrade’s unique pricing model puts more money in the hands of farmers and farming communities, giving them the resources they need to implement solutions to environmental challenges, and connects farmers to share best practices in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

About Fairtrade America
Fairtrade America betters the lives of farmers and workers in developing countries by inspiring businesses to implement ethical production practices and assisting shoppers in making informed purchasing decisions.  Fairtrade America is the U.S. chapter of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 30 countries across the globe.  A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, we are the world’s largest and most recognized fair trade system—part of a global movement for change.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Elaine Dion
SchroderHaus              
415-615-2658
fairtradeamerica@schroderhaus.com