This has been a question asked by many over the past several years. But first we must realize that there are reasonable questions and not so reasonable questions.  I had the opportunity to listen in on a Fair Trade (FT) debate held at JBU where the moderator asked the former CEO of Ten Thousand Villages a very interesting question.  He asked “Can you site a specific example or time where Fair Trade impacted a community to such a degree that they began producing Mercedes Benz cars or something else of a larger scale?”  This is what I call an unreasonable and loaded question that the moderator already knew the answer to.  We do not claim Fair Trade to be the one stop shop that will end poverty as we know it.  But we do claim that it has helped millions around the world make a sustainable living and even if it has only helped a few thousand people, I would still be very excited.  When you look at the history and track record of Fair Trade, you cannot help but realize the many successes behind the model.  Without this success it simply would not exist today!  Do we really believe that farmers and artisans all around the world would be participating in FT if they did not directly experience a significant benefit to their livelihoods?  However, this does not mean that the model doesn’t need any changes or modification as time goes on?  As markets change and trading takes different shapes, we will have to see FT continue to adapt to the farmers and artisans best interest.  Let’s keep in mind, Fair Trade is all about helping the poor of this world survive.

When you open the history books of FT you see something very unique; true relationship building directly with the beautiful people of these developing countries.  Those relationships have lasted for many years and have been built upon trust, transparency and an ongoing relationship that has always brought benefit and growth to these families and communities.  FT does not promise to eradicate poverty, we will always have poor with us. But it does promise to help them, and that is my goal in doing FT development, helping my neighbor make it through this life.  My goal is not to industrialize the developing world, but rather to help them realize the financial benefits of their existing skill sets and to help them market those skills, thus creating economic opportunity for one individual at a time. How far must I look to see

both financial and social benefits from FT in the developing world?  How about the Co-ops utilizing FT that I have purchased coffee from in South America, like “La Florida” in Peru or “UCASUMAN RL” in Nicaragua.  Both democratically run organizations state clearly how they have benefitted from FT along with clear community enhancements to show further support.  These are two groups that I not only get a wonderful product from, but I see individuals and families thriving on a higher level.  Other farmers around the world readily explain that FT has lessened poverty for their people.  The key word here is “lessen”, not eliminate nor eradicate; we do not claim that FT will launch a country into economic victory.  We simply claim that it’s a piece of the puzzle and the most viable option to truly reach down and help those in need. Not only are there ample results of FT success, but with that comes much history starting back in the mid 1950’s.