Fair Trade Month is the perfect time to explore ethical brands that are working to make a difference and fight poverty around the world.

Fair Trade USA first launched in 1998; the nonprofit organization certifies and labels products that promote sustainable livelihoods for farmers and strive for eco-conscious methods.

If you want to take steps toward fairer consumption but don’t have the time or the resources to seek out some of the tougher-to-find brands, these are some of our favorites that are easy to support: most of these are easy to order online or find in major retailers like Target.

Try to make a commitment for Fair Trade Month to purchase at least one Fair Trade Certified product every time you shop; these brands are all a great place to start.

1. Patagonia

One of the most popular and established Fair Trade clothing companies is Patagonia. Not only does this activewear company donate one percent of its sales to grassroots environmental groups all over the world, more than 15,700 workers have benefitted from the premiums Patagonia has paid through the Fair Trade Certified program.

Patagonia first launched its fair trade line in 2014, with just ten items made in a single factory. Today, Patagonia counts 480 fair trade items made in 14 different factories spanning countries in Asia and across the Americas.

“The benefits of the program have exceeded our expectations,” says Thuy Nguyen, manager of social and environmental responsibility. “In addition to the premiums raising wages, our factories have reported improved worker morale and engagement. Since workers actively participate in the program, they understand and appreciate what Fair Trade can do. Few social programs have such a sweeping impact.”

2. Indigenous

Indigenous is a fashion brand committed to Fair Trade production.

The company got its start in 1993, when co-founder Scott Leonard traveled to South America and discovered clothing and textiles made by local artisans. Today, the California-based company works with fair trade artisan partners in Peru to create fashionable lines of clothing that are fair, ethical, and eco-friendly.

Pieces span contemporary looks like organic jersey maxi skirts and stretchy riding pants with pieces inspired by traditional, local fabrics, like alpaca artisan knit ponchos and Peruvian-inspired knit sweaters. All of these products are fair trade and support local communities.

“Indigenous commitments are steadfast,” explains the company of its ethical philosophy. “Even as fashion trends come and go.”

3. EcoVibe

Established in 2010, EcoVibe Apparel is a fair trade clothing company founded by Leonard and Andrea Allen, the former a veteran of the apparel and fashion industry and the latter a natural health and wellness professional.

“The concepts of Eco Fashion and Sustainable Fashion mean different things to different individuals,” explains the company. “We cannot be everything to everyone, but we keep the planet and people in mind in all that we do.”

The company’s clothing is made with sustainable materials like modal, a soft rayon fabric made from the pulp of beech trees; bamboo fabric that drapes like silk or satin; and cork leather from renewable cork forests in Portugal, and one percent of all sales are donated to 1% For The Planet, an international organization focused on supporting the environment.

4. Global Goods Partners

Global Goods Partners is a nonprofit company founded in 2005. Its aim is to create economic opportunities for women by providing access to the U.S. market in order to sell their products.

The company offers a curated collection of fair trade, handmade products on its website including jewelry, bags, scarves, home goods, and even stuffed toys for children. The products are made by more than 3,000 women in 20 countries across the globe.

5. Kashi

This household name in breakfast cereal and meal bars has long been at the forefront of sustainable and forward-thinking food production. Not only did Kashi establish a transitional organic label earlier this year, but it has also begun integrating ingredients certified by Fair Trade USA into its offerings, such as the cocoa in its cocoa shredded wheat cereal and its Cocoa Awakening breakfast blend, as well as the chocolate in its GoLean Chocolate Crunch cereal.

6. Honest Tea

Honest Tea was the first company to market Fair Trade Certified bottled tea, and its acquisition by Coca-Cola in 2011 didn’t change that. Honest Tea remains an independent operating unit that is now even more widely distributed than it was before the acquisition.

“We strive to grow our business with the same honesty and integrity we use to craft our recipes, with sustainability and great taste for all,” says the company.

Fair Trade premiums paid by the company now total over $200,000 annually.

7. Pacific Foods

When Pacific Foods was first founded in 1987, it produced mainly plant-based foods. The company has now expanded its repertoire to include free-range chicken, vegetable, and beef broths, prepared soups, meals, and sides. With an aim to source locally and work with organic producers whenever possible, Pacific Foods has also expanded into fair trade products, such as fair trade certified cashews in its cashew plant-based beverage.

8. barkTHINS

This company, first founded in 2013, makes chocolate-based snacks with Fair Trade dark chocolate and non-GMO add-ins. Flavors include coconut-almond, pretzel and sea salt, and blueberry with quinoa crunch. These snacks are available widely at retailers like Shaw’s and Target as well as online.

9. Tony’s Coffee

Coffee was the first Fair Trade Certified product to hit the market when Fair Trade USA launched in 1998, and it remains the leader in fair trade production: over 1 billion pounds of coffee have been certified since 1998.

Tony’s Coffee was founded well before, in 1971. Today, the coffeehouse produces roasts from around the world, including several fair-trade and organic blends. The company’s products are easily found online, either as one-time orders or as part of the company’s coffee club.

Help support EcoSalon!  Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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On Saturday, July 29th, Free the Slaves, an international non-profit, and Bead & Reel, an ethical apparel curator, co-hosted the Third Annual Fair Trade Fashion Show at the CTRL Collective in Downtown, Los Angeles.

The goal: spread awareness, inspire action, and raise funds to end corruption in the fashion industry. The evening featured Fair Trade clothing and accessory vendors, plant-based bites, an EcoSessions panel, and the much-anticipated fashion show. Models representing a range of women’s body types confidently strutted down the runway, showcasing the casual, business, and nightlife trends of the season. This stunning parade of fabrics successfully demonstrated the Fair Trade options for every style, occasion, and price point.

Fair Trade clothing tends to be associated with scratchy, unflattering, hemp-like material; however, the looks curated by Bead & Reel proved these assumptions wrong. Sexy faux leathers, cool and comfy cottons, and sleek satins graced the runway, all representing both style and superior quality. A pop-up “Shop the Runway” collection was available onsite, so the audience could feel the materials that went into each piece and ensure its durability and comfort.

In regard to design, the show incorporated both trending and classic pieces for almost every body type and style preference. Large, bold prints were prominent in the dresses, tops, and skirts. The prints paired well with solid colors, but were also surprisingly flattering when matched with other contrasting prints in a top/skirt combination. For a casual, breezy summer look, the Hibiscus 2-in-1 Tie Maxi is perfect (pictured above). The black floral print against the dark peach dress makes this item pop, and the tasteful ribcage cutout and leg slit will surely turn heads while keeping you cool and confident. For a more professional look, the Kimono Jacket ($95) looks trendy yet effortless over a solid-colored camisole and dark slacks. Other notable trends included high-waisted pants and skirts, billowy trousers, and midriff-revealing crop tops.

The classic styles were just as stunning. From basic tanks and tees to office-appropriate attire, there was a look for anyone who may be intimidated by bolder fashion choices. The Millie Tank ($46) in mustard yellow is simple yet flattering and can be worn for the everyday with a pair of skinny jeans and Fair Trade vegan wedges. For the modern professional, the Monika Color Block Dress in black in white is office appropriate while accentuating the natural waist and feminine curves (pictured above).

Perhaps most impressive, the cocktail wear truly shattered stereotypes against Fair Trade clothing. From an edgy forest green vegan leather bustier (pictured above – $309), to an intricately embroidered high-low dress ($534), these fashions wowed the audience. The classic LBD ($134) and a figure-flattering black body suit ($67) with a plunging v-neck rounded out the brilliant ensembles made for a night on the town.

In addition to overcoming the negative perceptions on Fair Trade style, the event also disproved the assumption that Fair Trade apparel is only for the elite – and their wallets. Many of the brands offered several pieces under $100, which is comparable to – and often less than – popular department and retail store prices. Fair Trade apparel is accessible to almost every budget; the ability to practice conscious consumerism should not be a privilege reserved for the wealthy. Everyone can look and feel beautiful by purchasing ethically sourced and compassionately produced items.

The Fair Trade Fashion Show did not disappoint. It combined education, activism, and entertainment into a truly successful fundraising event. Far surpassing its goal of $20,000, the evening raised over $31,000 to support Free the Slaves in its mission to end human trafficking tied to the fashion and apparel industries.

To contribute to this necessary movement and find an amazing outfit to match your style, you can browse through every item in the show – including the accessories – via Bead & Reel’s “Shop the Runway” page. Purchase one of the signature handbags or statement-making dresses for yourself, and when someone compliments you on it, take the opportunity to inform them about the importance of Fair Trade. As panelist Hoda Katebi reminded the attendees, “We can’t buy a revolution. We have to be active and take part.” Now that Fair Trade is more accessible than ever, we can all take part and feel confident and gorgeous in doing so.

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The fashion industry is synonymous with excess, indulgence, and Kardashian-like superficiality. But a few forward-thinking visionaries hope to change that. One such hopeful is Sica Schmitz, founder and curator of the award-winning website, Bead & Reel, an ethical LA-based boutique.

Later this month, Bead & Reel will host its third annual Fair Trade Fashion Show in Los Angeles, highlighting makers who are changing an industry tied not just to the superficialities and body image issues connected to high fashion, but also to the environmental degradation and human rights violations, like the horrific working conditions including child and slave labor, and human trafficking, rampant in the industry. I caught up with Schmitz via email about the event, the shocking stats on human slavery, and the fashion industry in general.

[This interview has been edited for length and clarity.]

Jill Ettinger: Can you tell me a bit about the idea for the fashion show and the mission behind it?

Sica Schmitz: Believe it or not, fair trade is not yet synonymous with chic (though I hope to change that!). When I talk with most people about what I do in eco-friendly, fair trade, and vegan fashion, I can almost see the burlap sack flash before their eyes. These terms definitely have certain crunchy connotations, but the “granola” stereotype is just one of the many forms of sustainable fashion available. I really want to show another side of it – the side for business women and city dwellers and hip moms, and so I created the Fair Trade Fashion Show three years ago to offer a platform to showcase this somewhat unexpected side of fair trade.

Along with re-branding fair trade fashion, the mission of this event is also to educate and fundraise. It’s not just a fashion show, it’s also a discussion about the issues and solutions around human rights in fashion and a fundraiser for our charity partner Free the Slaves. 100% of the ticket sales and sponsorship for the fashion show go directly to the amazing work they do around the world to fight human trafficking and modern day slavery. This is really a place where you can have a more complete fashion experience: learn, shop, get inspired, and give back.

JE: Fashion shows are often a “who’s who” place focused on anything but discussing social justice issues…how do you turn something inherently one-dimensional into a cause-driven event? Is it awkward to have such a weighty cause behind something often viewed as superficial?

SS: I think it’s the traditional one-dimensionality of fashion shows that made me want to present our message through this medium, using something that is often superficial to entice people in the door who may not otherwise find out about these issues. Fashion is such a serious culprit when it comes to the rights of people, animals, and our environment, and yet most people dismiss it as a frivolous or silly industry. They don’t know what a huge opportunity fashion is to create awareness and change – and I think a fashion show is the perfect, unexpected place to spread this message. And yes, there definitely are some people who aren’t ready to bring activism into their fashion, but I think – actually I know – there are so, so many people who are, and this is the fashion show for them.

JE: The event’s focus of slavery in our consumer chain has to be a huge wake-up call to so many people — we just assume slavery is “done”, right? But that’s obviously not the case. Can you talk a bit about the issue, how many slaves are involved in the fashion industry, and what they are they being forced to do?

SS: Not only is slavery not done, there are actually more slaves today than in any other time in history. It’s a huge issue globally, and one that touches all of us through the products we buy.

There are two separate issues when it comes to slavery and fashion. The first is actual slavery in the fashion supply chain. This can be through many different forms including child labor (being deprived of their childhood and safety), forced or excessive labor (working under threats or intimidation), or bonded labor (repaying inflated and often unachievable debts, sometimes through generations). These forms of slavery can be done through governments, businesses, or individuals. It’s not legal anywhere, and yet it’s prevalent everywhere.

It’s often incredibly difficult to get accurate numbers in fashion – it’s just not an industry that many scientists take seriously, so getting hard facts from environmental impacts to wage issues can be very challenging. Additionally, since slavery isn’t legal, it’s very hard to track. Unfortunately, I don’t yet have a confirmed number for you on how many slaves are specifically in the fashion industry, however Free the Slaves states that there are 21 million slaves worldwide, and fashion is very much a part of it.

The second issue is that the exploitative conditions of fashion allow slavery to persist, even when workers may not technically be slaves. Globally, around 60 million people are directly employed by the fashion industry, and depending on where they work, anywhere up to 90% of them may not be making a living wage. Even in Los Angeles, garment workers earn an average of $5.15/hr – that’s almost half of the legal minimum wage. When garment workers cannot support their families or send their children to school, it leaves them vulnerable to being trafficked into various forms of slavery – inside and outside of fashion. So the two things that fashion needs to address is first removing all forms of child and forced labor – period. The second is providing living wages (which really shouldn’t be a groundbreaking ask) to its workers so they and their communities are not at risk for trafficking.

JE: Can you talk a bit about the Fair Trade fashion industry? Why does it matter? What’s most exciting about Fair Trade Fashion right now?

SS: Fair trade fashion is basically what fashion should be. It offers really basic rights like fair wages, safety, freedom from discrimination and harassment – things that should really be standard but unfortunately aren’t at all – yet. But beyond just reducing issues, it is meant to also empower, especially women. Fair trade allows women to have healthcare, family planning, education, quality of life, and to provide these for their families as well. Women typically invest up to 80% of their income back into their families and communities, so when we empower women with living wages, we are empowering whole communities.

There are multiple fair trade agencies which offer certifications and guiding principles including everything from worker treatment to environmental stewardship to cultural respect. Certifications are wonderful, but they also may be beyond the time or financial commitment many small brands can make, so just keep in mind that being certified isn’t necessarily the only sign of whether or not a company is practicing fair trade.

I think the most exciting thing about fair trade right now is that there are so many new fair trade brands offering such a variety of styles, textiles, and price points. It’s becoming so accessible, and so stylish! Even this year I’ve continued to discover so many wonderful new brands and can’t wait to share them at this year’s Fair Trade Fashion Show.

JE: A lot of people think Fair Trade fashion is either hippy hemp clothes or way too pricey. Can you dispel some myths about the industry?

SS: Come to the Fair Trade Fashion Show and I would love to help prove these myths wrong!

But for those who can’t make it, take a peek at what we carry at Bead & Reel. It’s all fair trade and most of our clothing is below $150 – we even have fair trade, organic leggings starting at $24! We do have some hemp pieces (it’s one of the most sustainable fibers, so I hope never to see it go away!), though I dare you to be able to figure out which ones are hemp just by looking

I think most people may not know that you can now buy fair trade basics at Target starting at around $13, or that style icon Emma Watson wears fair trade. Whatever your style or price point, there really is something in fair trade for you.

JE: What’s the biggest thing consumers can do to best keep their funds away from slave-labor industries? Is that even possible when it comes to fashion?

SS: It’s important to understand that fashion supply chains are long and dense. Most major brands don’t fully know whether or not there is slave labor at some point in their supply chain, so it’s very, very hard to avoid. I’m not saying this to make you give up hope, but instead just to make you aware that I think it’s important to support brands that are trying, even if they aren’t fully “perfect.” Resources like Project Just, The Good Trade, and of course Bead & Reel are great places to start to find brands that are trying really hard and making the best possible choices they can.

And beyond shopping, there is a lot that consumers can do. Put pressure on companies – ask them about their factories, and where their fabric is from. Let them know you’re paying attention. You can get involved in the Fashion Revolution each April which is a growing movement to ask companies #whomademyclothes? And contact your representatives! The UK has the Modern Slavery Act and we should have one too – call you senator or congressperson and tell them this is important to you that we close loopholes and clearly establish that slavery is not acceptable in America (as if we don’t have enough things to be calling about already, right?).

JE: Your company Bead & Reel has been getting a lot of buzz lately (and awards!). How does it factor into this event?

SS: Thanks for noticing! It’s been a very exciting time for Bead & Reel, and I’m so proud of what my small company has accomplished in the past 2.5 years since we opened.

I very much believe that a rising tide lifts all boats so any recognition that Bead & Reel receives is also recognition for fair trade and vegan fashion. While Bead & Reel is hosting the Fair Trade Fashion Show, it’s also a hugely collaborative event with dozens of fair trade brands, non-profits, and local restaurants, and I hope it can stand on its own as a buzz-worthy event.

—

This year’s Fair Trade Fashion Show is being held on July 29 at CTRL COLLECTIVE in downtown Los Angeles. Featured panelists include Kestrel Jenkins, Founder and Producer of Conscious Chatter; Mike Farid, President Nature USA; Hoda Katebi, Founder + Creator JooJoo Azad; and Jeff Denby, Co-Founder The Renewal Workshop (and PACT Apparel). Pop-up shops by Maggie’s Organics, Malia Designs, Heshima Kenya, Kishé, Ten Thousand Villages, Elisha C., Lucy & Jo, International Sanctuary, Hipsters for Sisters, Action Kivu, Fair Trade LA, and rHope. The event is benefiting Free the Slaves, an international nonprofit dedicated to liberating slaves, and changing the conditions that allow slavery to persist.

Get your tickets here.

Find Jill on Twitter and Instagram

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images courtesy of Bead & Reel

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Is your closet sustainable yet? If not, it’s high-time you started shopping for eco-friendly, fair-trade, sustainable fashion. Not only is it the responsible choice, you’ve also got a lot of fun choices.

But first, the bad news: fashion is the second highest polluting industry in the world. Eighty-two pounds of textile waste are produced per person every year, just in the U.S. One new pair of jeans takes 900 gallons of water to produce, and to top it all off, nearly 20 percent of industrial water pollution comes from synthetic textile dyes for that perfect periwinkle or hot pink.

And shopping isn’t just bad for the environment — about 99 percent of clothes being sold in the U.S. are not made ethically, according to Business Insider, with most of the garments that we buy being made in sweatshops by underpaid, overworked laborers–including children, despite laws and global efforts to reduce child labor.

Why has it gotten this bad? Because we’re addicted to shopping. A 2008 study from Stanford, MIT, and Carnegie Mellon showed that while most people don’t want to spend money, they do want the pleasure of buying new things. Enter the world of fast fashion, which has evolved to allow consumers to buy lots of low-quality products, renewing their closets every year (or even more often) with ever-changing trends. We’re currently buying 400 percent more new clothes than we were just two decades ago.

So how can we do better?

Ruby Veridiano, an advocate for social responsibility in the fashion industry, has a few ideas. Shopping vintage or secondhand is a good place to start, especially because only ten percent of clothing donated to thrift stores is actually sold (much of it gets thrown away.

Veridiano also champions eco-fashion champion Livia Firth’s 30-wear rule when making a purchase.

“It’s the idea that before buying something, first consider if you can commit to wearing it at least 30 times,” Veridiano says. “The 30 wear rule guarantees that you buy quality items instead of buying in quantity, which means that you might buy less, but keep it for a longer period of time. Not only does it reduce waste in your closet, but it also helps reduces waste on the planet.”

But perhaps the biggest change that you can make to really ensure that your fashion choices are sustainable is choosing to support ethical brands.

“Ethical brands are made with integrity and support a socially responsible ethos,” says Veridiano. “The challenge is finding them, as they are not always readily available.”

That’s what inspired Veridiano to start the now extensive list of ethical brands on her website, if you’re just getting started, here are three ethical, sustainable fashion brands we love.

1. People Tree

People Tree is one of Veridiano’s personal faves, and we can see why. A major player in the ethical and sustainable fashion industry for the past 25 years, the company has established partnerships with Fair Trade producers, and its very mindset is founded in the creation of an alternative to fast fashion.

“Slow Fashion means standing up against exploitation, family separation, slum cities and pollution – all the things that make fast fashion so successful,” writes People Tree, whose clothes are made from sustainable materials and by people in rural communities who make a living wage.

Now that’s all well and good, but what are the clothes like? Well honestly, we love them. Tons of simple classics like button-up shirts, wrap dresses, hand-knitted sweaters, and even t-shirts, made from high-quality materials in neutral patterns that you’ll be able to wear again and again.

2. Eco

As this infographic shows, glasses aren’t exempt from the eco-fashion police: the materials used to make glasses and sunglasses – particularly plastic ones – are the sorts of things you should probably avoid if you want to live sustainably.

Eco – a brand created by boutique eyewear brand Modo — makes trendy glasses whose frames are made from 64 percent bio-based and recycled materials, like eco-friendly plastic, which is made with oil from castor beans instead of crude oil, or high-density polyethylene plastics recovered from the sea.

Not only are you cleaning out some of the eight million metric tons of plastic dumped into the oceans every year if you choose one of these pairs of trendy frames, you’re also contributing to replanting the world’s forests, as Eco plants a tree for every pair sold.

3. Vavavida

For all of your accessory needs, choose Vavavida, which sells bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, and bags that are handmade by fairly paid artisans. The high-quality products highlight the craftsmanship of the people – often women – behind these unique pieces.

Vavavida is all about empowering local craftspeople, and founder Antoine even posts some of the artisans’ stories on the Vavavida site, so that you can get to know the women who crafted your favorite statement necklace or bangle.

To top it all off, Vavavida donates ten percent of its revenue to non-profit organizations empowering women.

These are just a few of the brands that are slowly but surely paving the way to increasing the choices in the world of sustainable fashion. Now it’s time to do our part and vote with our dollars for our favorite pieces.

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Fashion image via Shutterstock

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Emblazoned just below Alaffia’s name on the Fair Trade skincare product’s website, are three familiar, yet powerful, words: equality, empowerment, and beauty. And although the product line does aim to make its users feel good, the man and woman behind the business have committed their lives to improving those of others. Upon speaking with Alaffia owner, Olowo-n’djo Tchala, after his recent trip to Togo, Africa, it became evident that their organization’s cause goes much further than just skin deep.

Alaffia founders Olowo-n’djo Tchala and his business partner and wife, Prairie Rose Hyde, both came from modest beginnings. Tchala was one of eight children raised in his hometown Kaboli, a small village in Togo, a country that has long struggled with overwhelming poverty (about 80 percent of the people living in Togo live under the poverty line) . He grew up watching his mother help people in their community even with their limited resources. Because his family couldn’t afford tuition, he was forced to drop out of school in the sixth grade and he worked alongside his mother on her farm.

Prairie Rose, on the other hand, was born in the States, but could still very much relate to the struggles of growing up poor. Her family needed welfare to survive, and she eventually sought a better life by joining the Peace Corp. It was on Hyde’s mission trip to Kaboli 19 years ago that the two first met and fell in love.

After her service ended, they both moved back to the U.S. and attended the University of California Davis together. After graduating, and with a shared vision for their lives, Tchala said that they were moved by “the injustice that exists in the human life and both had the urgency to do something about it.” So, in 2003, with limited knowledge of actual product formulation and a lot of heart, the Alaffia skincare line was born. With high hopes of giving back to the West African community the two traveled between Togo and America frequently.

The couple wanted to create a product for women by women that would fulfill a need on both ends of the spectrum – sustainable, Fair Trade skincare for the public that simultaneously improves the lives of women in West Africa. From this mutual desire, lotions, soaps, haircare, and other natural beauty products utilizing native ingredients were developed. And although they learned the trade as time went on, Tchala and Hyde never sacrificed their core beliefs for the sake of business.

Alaffia was and is still committed to full transparency and traceability, and consistently reinvests its profits back into the company and into the community. Fortunately, the products are easily accessible through online ordering on Alaffia’s website, and for purchase in your local Whole Foods Market and other brick and mortar stores.

With a personal promise to never abandon the people of Togo, especially the women, whom he believes have it much worse in West Africa than men, Tchala and his wife started making major changes in the lives of others. They wanted to focus on teaching women self-sufficiency and independence. Solid living wages, although important, became a byproduct of the desperately needed sense of empowerment and self-worth that came as a result of learning a trade.

According to the Alaffia website, “women in West Africa have long been excluded from the formal education sector, which means they cannot read or write.” The female Shea Butter Cooperative established in Togo allows women to capitalize on their strengths, such as their “unique skills, traditions, and knowledge.” And whether it’s basket weaving, or making shea butter, these women can all feel confident in themselves and their ability to contribute to their families.

While women are a centralized aspect of Alaffia’s philanthropy, it’s the company’s belief to also spread empowerment at the community level. After evaluating the issues hindering the village, it is believed that “exclusion from education, maternal deaths, and environmental degradation” all heavily contributed to the discord. In an effort to solve these problems, Alaffia has committed to the following projects:

• Bicycles for Education – Since 2006, Alaffia has collected and sent over 6,300 used bicycles to disadvantaged Togo students to utilize as transportation to and from school.
• Maternal Health – Since 2004, Alaffia has provided pre and post natal care for 3,237 women in central Togo to help reduce high maternal death rates in West Africa.
• School Supplies & Repairs – Alaffia donates metal roofs, seats and school supplies to schools in rural Togo to help communities educate their youth.
• Restoration & Environment – To combat effects of climate change and deforestation, Alaffia plants trees and builds home biogas units.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, Alaffia is also certified as a Fair Trade skincare business that takes environmental impact seriously. Shea butter is one of Africa’s natural resources and is the focus of Alaffia’s cooperative, but all of the products are actually handcrafted and comprised of ingredients indigenous to the region.

Sustainability is a crucial aspect of the business. In fact, sustainability is the “soul of our organization,” says Tchala, “because I look at culture for sustainability first.” In other words, the commitment to long-term preservation is a holistic process, from population to product.

The one-on-one sustainability is evident through Alaffia’s community efforts, but that has also been extended to the product production aspect. Headquartered in Washington, 80 percent of all packaging is sourced from either Utah or California in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint as much as possible. Many of the bottles used to package products are made from 100 percent post-consumer waste, with the remaining containers having a 50 percent minimum threshold.

Tchala believes that economic sustainability equates to morality – that Fair Trade isn’t enough to be an upstanding business and that the certification shouldn’t simply be used as a marketing ploy, but is a notion that should be lived and upheld through strong morals and ethics.

Alaffia’s unprecedented standards, along with the commitment to consciousness, truly places this skincare company into a category all its own. Not only that, but Tchala can promise his customers peace of mind by knowing that when purchasing this product, they are “not contributing to slavery, destruction of humanity, or making one person richer – your money is being spread around, and not just in Togo, but in the state of Washington, too.”

With a bright future and strong moral compass, Alaffia is a deserving business with a worthy cause. And if you still need a friendly nudge in the right direction on your next trip down the skincare aisle, Tchala said it best: “From lotions to body washes, we can create everlasting impact and contribute to all humans in a very truly positive way. The traditional methods of making things can yield women and their families a benefit while uplifting all humans around the world.” From the inside, from the goodness of our hearts, that’s what real beauty looks like.

What’s your take on this sustainable, Fair Trade skincare business? Are you as excited as we are? Let us know on the EcoSalon Facebook page! For more information, or to order online, please visit www.alaffia.com and be sure to show them some love on social media, too.

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All images via Alaffia

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ColumnAfter years of controversy over widespread palm oil use, sustainable palm oil is being adopted by the world’s leading manufacturers, from small organic, eco brands to big time producers like Nestlé. But is it really sustainable? We go Behind the Label to find out.

Palm oil is a vegetable-based oil that derives from Africa’s palm oil tree. It’s now grown throughout Africa, Asia, South and North America. But today, the majority of commercial palm oil hails from Indonesia and Malaysia.

You’ll find palm oil in a number of processed foods from chocolates and baked goods to frozen foods. While the majority of it is used in food production, it’s also used in personal care and cosmetics, as well as in biodiesel. About 50 million tons of palm oil are produced annually, which accounts for about 30 percent of the world’s vegetable oil. And even though a number of companies are replacing palm oil, it can still be found in as many as 50 percent of household products in the U.S., Canada, England and Australia.

The Good

Palm oil is a major source of income in Indonesia and Malaysia, where about 87 percent of the world’s palm oil comes from. According to the World Wildlife Fund, palm oil “creates rural employment and is a crop smallholder farmers can grow easily, often lifting people in rural regions out of poverty. It’s crucial for the rest of the world too: companies everywhere depend on the unique properties of palm oil for their products.”

After awareness grew over palm oil’s connection to a number of issues including deforestation, habitat destruction, animal cruelty, indigenous rights abuses and climate change, “sustainable” palm oil arose as an ethical option. The RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) emerged in 2004 with a sustainable palm oil certification program. Its goal is to unite businesses that rely on palm oil with environmental and social non-government organizations. It has brought awareness to many of the issues connected with sourcing palm oil, and has helped companies to sign on to source “sustainable palm oil.” There are more than 850 members of the RSPO and two certification options for sustainably sourced palm oil. “Both approaches classify sustainable plantations as those not grown on land cleared of tropical rainforest after November 2005,” reports Vice.

As more awareness over the issues with palm oil production came to light, more and more companies began making commitments to sourcing sustainable palm oil—meaning palm oil that does not contribute to deforestation and habitat loss for both indigenous animals and cultures. The orangutan, which once thrived in Indonesia’s forests, is now the endangered poster animal for the sustainable palm oil industry as clear cutting forests for palm plantations continues to destroy the primate’s home.

In 2010, after pressure from Greenpeace and other groups, Nestlé committed to stop sourcing palm oil from producers that cause rainforest destruction. It’s just one example of dozens of major brands that have sustainable palm oil commitments. The Hershey Company, General Mills, Procter & Gamble, Mars, Unilever and IKEA, also have sustainable palm initiatives, working with the RSPO to source 100 percent sustainable palm oil.

Other companies have taken the commitment even further, like Alaffia, a personal care brand that sources and produces its skin and hair care products in Togo. Working with African farmers, Alaffia sources its palm fruits from small family farms, which company spokesperson Kelsey Mayer told EcoSalon must meet strict standards including small farm size, organic farming methods and no child labor. “Farmers are paid Fair Trade prices for the palm fruits,” says Mayer. Then, the palm fruits head to a Fair Trade Certified cooperative in Sokodé, where “cooperative members are paid a fair wage for their work.”

Not only is Alaffia’s model a true example of sustainability by working with small-scale farmers, but Mayer says this method also produces a higher quality product. “When palm oil is grown as an industrial plantation crop, such as in Indonesia and Malaysia on newly cleared rainforests or peat-swamp forests rather than on already degraded land or disused agricultural land, it can contribute to the endangerment of animals, such as the orangutans,” she says. “Furthermore, since our palm oil fruits are hand-picked and our oil is hand-pressed, the environmental impact is significantly lower than that harvested on plantations. Oil palms are native to West Africa (where there are no orangutans), and have been grown as part of multi-cropped sustainable small farms for centuries.”

And Mayer explains the Alaffia palm oil method produces a healthier product too: “The palm oil retains all of its natural benefits, including high vitamin levels and antioxidant properties, which it loses in the refining process.”

Dr. Bronner’s, which makes soaps and other personal care items, says that since 2006, it has shifted over 95 percent of its raw agricultural material to sources that are certified Fair Trade and organic (FTO), including Fair Trade palm oil. “We wanted to know who makes our raw materials and ensure that fair prices and wages are paid, and their production benefits the local community and environment,” the company explains on its website.

palm oil plantation worker image via Shutterstock

The Bad

Despite sustainability commitments from the world’s top palm oil using companies, a 2007 Greenpeace investigation, detailed in the report “Cooking the Climate” found that RSPO members still source palm oil from suppliers who destroy rainforest and convert peatlands into palm plantations. According to Greenpeace, one Indonesian palm refiner, Duta Palma, actually has legal rights to create palm plantations on land that’s otherwise protected by the government from the palm industry.

And while Nestlé’s commitment to RSPO and sustainable palm oil earned it accolades in 2010, just last year Greenpeace and The Rainforest Action Network say the company’s commitment actually allows deforestation. According to Food Navigator, “deforestation will continue to be allowed while members of the [Sustainable Palm Oil Manifesto] determine what forests can be developed or protected, under the High Carbon Stock (HCS) Approach.”

Greenpeace helped to develop HCS, which combines carbon and biodiversity conservation. It also supports rights for communities dependent on the palm oil industry, as well as the forests and lands where palm plantations are being introduced.

And according to Vice, it’s not just the conventional brands contributing to the palm oil issue: “Chemical companies are part of the problem because they are using ever-larger quantities of palm oil to make the “green” products demanded by consumers.”

Now, conservationists say RSPO members can do more to ensure they’re purchasing truly sustainable palm oil. Several years ago, 200 of the world’s leading scientists asked the RSPO to ban any future palm plantations that are developed on peat lands or in place of old-growth forests.

“It is vital that the RSPO add these requirements to the principles and criteria immediately to ensure that all palm oil being sold with the label ‘sustainable’ is not driving climate change and forest destruction,” the scientists wrote. But the RSPO has yet to take action on making either of these measures part of its sustainable palm oil protocol.

The Bottom Line

While companies like Alaffia and Dr. Bronner’s are redefining what the sustainable palm oil industry can look like, not all who claim to source sustainable palm oil are making as big an impact. A consumer is not always going to have the full story in front of them when making a purchase. In fact, the opposite is more likely true: consumers are often forced to take brands at their word, which is usually glossed over with a marketing sheen.

Fortunately, there are now a number of resources for the consumer who wants more information. There’s the WWF scorecard, and several smart phone apps that can help answer questions about a brand’s commitment to palm oil.

And, there are palm oil alternatives, most notably coconut oil, which is appearing in a number of products in place of palm oil.

Use your voice to let brands know that deforestation, habitat loss and unfair labor conditions aren’t acceptable. Boycott those products until brands make the shift. Companies are making major changes to their brands and product offerings when consumers demand they do so.

Find Jill on Twitter and Instagram

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Top palm oil image via Shutterstock

The post Is ‘Sustainable’ Palm Oil Actually Sustainable? Behind the Label appeared first on EcoSalon.

Finding fashionable clothes that are Fair Trade isn’t as difficult as it used to be. We’ve rounded up 4 Fair Trade clothing brands that are dedicated to selling Fair Trade clothing that considers the communities behind the products and the impact on our our environment.

1. Avatar

Avatar is based in Santa Cruz, California. The company’s mission is to “design and create fun, fashionable, high-quality goods in a manner that is socially, environmentally, and economically responsible.” The company works with a Fair Trade factory in Kathmandu, Nepal. The products Avatar makes are made in a healthy and safe environment, and the people who make the products are “paid an above average wage.” The company sells women and men’s clothing, as well as accessories.

This $44 dress comes in three colors. It’s perfect for a late spring dinner out on the patio.

2. prAna

prAna was founded in 1992 and its headquarters is in Carlsbad, California. prAna is dedicated to selling apparel and accessories that are made using fewer toxins and chemicals than traditional pieces. The company also strives to consider the use of energy, water, and chemicals used in manufacturing. The company’s clothes are made with “organic cotton, natural fibers, and recycled materials.” prAna also helped “pioneer” Fair Trade Certified apparel. The company sells men and women’s clothing.

I’m a fan of the company’s Juniper Pant. Priced at $89, this would be a great piece for an early spring yoga class.

3. Maggie’s Organics

Maggie’s Organics also was founded in 1992. The company is totally dedicated to doing business that’s completely Fair Trade. Since the company’s start, it has worked to ensure it has “direct contracts with each of its producers,” and the company also supports “small family mills and worker-owned cooperatives.” Learn all about the company’s dedication to Fair Trade clothing, click here. Maggie’s sells women, men, and kid’s clothing. It also sells wholesale.

This organic skirt comes in four colors — two of which would look great in late March (the green and purple). Also: The price is right. This skirt is only $35.

4. Marigold

Marigold works with a women’s co-op that has 200 women. The co-op resides in Mumbai, India. The company is dedicated to using sustainable practices and continues to uphold top Fair Trade standards. Marigold also uses organic fabrics and sells women, men, and kid’s clothing, as well as “home and gift,” and yoga items.

This beautiful, purple (or blue) tunic is a great piece for an overcast April day. Pull it on and have a coffee. Priced at $48.

Related on EcoSalon

Sole Food: Fair Trade Espadrilles by Alice & Whittles Support Sustainability

Understanding Fair Trade Certification for Fashion

Sustainable and Fair Trade Coffee: What to Look for In Every Sip

Resources

Fair Trade USA

A Guide to Buying Sustainable, Fair-Trade and Cruelty-Free Clothing, One Green Planet

Image: Marigold Fair Trade Facebook photo, Nov. 28, 2014

The post 4 Fair Trade Clothing Brands We Love for Spring appeared first on EcoSalon.

The EcoSalon Fair Trade and Fabulous Fall Box is here! 

Embrace fall’s cooler weather and shorter days with EcoSalon’s Fair Trade and Fabulous Fall Box. Trust me, you do not want to miss this one. As Senior Editor of EcoSalon, I see a lot of amazing products. But the eleven brands I have pulled together here are a cut above the rest, offering some truly unique and fabulous finds with a focus on Fair Trade, organic and just plain fantastic benefits. This box is worth more than $544! It’s all yours for just $129 + free shipping. (For you math geeks, that’s a 76 percent savings!)

SOLD OUT!

Get ready for Fair Trade Month (next month!) with some of these gorgeous fall fashion finds, skin care products to keep you glowing through the change of seasons, and some really good for you herbal products to balance you through the transition into winter.

There are only 40 Boxes available. Well, make that 39, because I am buying the first one, dear readers! So we have 39 Fair Trade and Fabulous Boxes for you. (I’m even thinking about buying a second one for holiday gifts!)

Beginning Monday, September 8th, we will reveal three to four brands per day. The Box will go on sale Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 8 o’clock am Pacific Time. So set your timers and mark your calendars–these will sell out fast. The holiday season is just around the corner too, so buy several of these for truly unique and meaningful gifts. Check back daily to see the latest reveals. Read on to discover today’s products! 

 INDIGENOUS Fair Trade Organic Tassel Scarf

Made from the softest, pillowy 100 percent Organic Cotton on the market, this cozy scarf will keep you warm and stylish all through the fall and winter seasons and will quickly become your favorite accessory. From INDIGENOUS, the leaders in Fair Trade and organic clothing supporting artisan communities around the world. Feel absolutely luxe inside and out with this fall must. Nobody does organic and Fair Trade like INDIGENOUS. Color: Mink Brown.

Retail Value $99

AHNU Women’s Karma Textile Shoes (Gift Card)

The Karma Textile shoe provides a fun, new update in a pretty canvas textile for your favorite active slipon, only from Ahnu. Crafted in the USA from imported materials, this vegan silhouette offers style and comfort without compromising any aspect of yogachic. These travelfriendly flats are made for all-day wear, from running errands to traveling the world. The stretchy back heel provides a secure fit while making them easy to pack. The sculpted EVA footbed is wrapped in a vegan microfiber suede to offer a soft feel with every step. Each Ahnu purchase goes to supporting noteworthy charitable causes including the Wilderness Land Trust and Soles4Souls. Pick your color and size with a gift card to Ahnu.

Retail Value $90

AKOLA PROJECT Demi Paper Bead Necklace 

An Ethiopian hand-cast metal pendant plated with nickel/brass and hung on three strands of hand-rolled paper beads. Made with care by the dignified women of Akola, this Fair Trade necklace hangs approximately 34″ and comes in a linen bag. Don’t know about Akola yet? The company is a nonprofit and a business empowering women around the world with projects like the necklace you’re about to wear with a smile. It’s truly inspiring work that is redefining beauty and business. Colors vary: chartreuse, orchid or fig.

Retail Value $86 

SKINAGAIN Youth 

This is no ordinary anti-aging treatment. With a powerful blend of high-potency actives, SkinAgain’s Youth crème has been proven to immediately and noticeably diminish the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, uneven skin tone and loss of elasticity. Look to Youth as an effective ally in restoring your skin’s natural suppleness. Perfect for any sun damage incurred over the summer and perfect for protecting your skin from the dry, blustery fall weather that’s on the way in.

Retail Value $64

FROM THE LAB Rejuvenating Face Cream, Under Eye Treatment and Hydrating Lip Primer 

Indulge your skin with From the Lab’s luxurious hydration and clinically-proven results. Rich and luscious, Rejuvenating Face Cream No. 594 revolutionizes skin care, diminishing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots within weeks. Stimulate the production of collagen and elastin to reveal smoother, firmer skin with No. 594, then follow with our exclusive pair of primers to effortlessly enhance your natural beauty.  Illuminating Under Eye Treatment No. 628 and Hydrating Lip Primer No. 629 feature an ultra-hydrating blend of raspberry stem cells coupled with groundbreaking technology to deliver the next generation of “under makeup” skin prep.

Every woman deserves access to luxury beauty at an affordable price.  While comparable products are valued at $240 or more, From the Lab’s direct-to-consumer model delivers uncompromised quality and efficacy without the unnecessary costs, and all of From the Lab’s selections showcase clean ingredients that are cruelty-free, animal-free, and free of harmful irritants and additions.

Retail Value $59.85

BUFF HER HOUSE OF EXFOLIATION Oatmeal Blueberry Cookie Facial Scrub

Buff Her House of Exfoliation are the makers of unique exfoliating food facial scrubs, handcrafted from natural and organically grown fruits and vegetables. Their adorable (and radically important!) motto is “Feed Your Freakin’ Face”! Buff Her believes the exfoliating or buffing process should be gentle, cleansing and really fun. To ensure that your skin loves this product, every ingredient is easily recognizable and natural, with proven skin beautifying and exfoliating benefits. (Sorry, those drool-worthy cookies not included! But you can make some scrumptious oatmeal cookie nibbles while you exfoliate.)

Retail Value $35

PACT Windmil Geometric Print Fair Trade Organic Leggings

Windmill geometric print for Fall 2014 in PACT’s signature long legging flattering fit. PACT leggings maintain their shape all day long and are super soft and comfortable with a perfectly cut rise (just below the belly button), and a wide waistband that doesn’t roll.

These adorable Fair Trade leggings are 95% organic cotton / 5% elastane. No pesticides, no fertilizers, no bleaches, no sweatshops, no nasty stuff at all. PACT’s organic cotton is grown using inputs and methods that have a low impact on the environment. This is the highest quality, long staple cotton blended with elastane; resulting in a durable, pill resistant fabric with excellent stretch and recovery that washes well.

Machine washable. Fits true to size. So soft and comfortable, you won’t want to put your pants on. Sizes vary.

Retail Value $34

LOGONA Mascara Volume No. 2

LOGONA mascaras can give your lashes luscious, expressive volume or a subtle, more natural look. In addition to making you look your best, your lashes are nourished with a natural anti aging complex of organic cranberry, organic apple seed and organic brown algae extract. In addition, they contain a unique blend of precious gems such as amethyst, amber and rock crystal – LOGONA’s treasure chest of knowledge and experience for your perfect look.

Like all LOGONA products, the Mascaras meet the strict standards for NaTrue certified natural cosmetics. They are completely free from synthetic colors, fragrance or preservatives. They contain no petroleum based ingredients and are made with plant oils and extracts from organic cultivation. Of course, no LOGONA products are ever tested on animals and are PETA approved cruelty free. Colors black or brown.

Retail Value $22

I AM LIQUID SUPPLEMENTS: Energized, Focused, Happy, Sleepy and Skinny

Herbal, Vitamin & Super-Fruit Formulas for Personal Transformation

I AM Liquid Supplements were created to allow you to quickly transform your body and states of mind, while nourishing yourself on a cellular level. Inspired by the classical principles of Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine, I AM refined that time-tested wisdom with the most advanced breakthroughs in nutritional science. These unique formulas combine the finest quality vitamins and minerals with wild-crafted, nutrient-rich botanicals – carefully extracted through a proprietary full spectrum process.

Lightly flavored and naturally sweetened without sugar, each I AM Liquid Supplement offers a unique tea-like taste experience with only five calories per bottle. You’ll enjoy freedom from artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors and gluten* – and experience the nurturing power of positive, life-enhancing ingredients.

I AM LIQUID SUPPLEMENTS. Simple. Delightful. Designed for your busy life.

Retail Value: $3.99/bottle ($19.95 total value)

LIVING LIBATIONS Maiden Fern Blushing Balm

Maiden Fern Blushing Balm will make you blush – literally! Living Libations’ innovative blush naturally increases circulation to the cheeks and lips, delivering a playful, rosy hue where you need it most. Maiden Fern Blushing Balm is the blush that blushes you. Warming botanicals increase circulation, bringing vitality to lips and cheeks. This natural blush’s warm, rosy hue is gorgeous on any skin tone.

This tint has been enriched with extractions of juicy roots, replenishing seabuckthorn berries, and special essential oils. All Pure Organic and/or Wildcrafted Ingredients: Golden jojoba, seabuckthorn berry, happy beeswax, stone root, rose otto, neroli, lavender, immortelle, carrot, ginger, cinnamon, peppermint, cayenne, and turmeric essential oils.

Full-bodied lips, fresh blush, and a dewy disposition are yours thanks to Maiden Fern Blushing Balm.

Retail Value $20

THREADS 4 THOUGHT Vera Neck Long Sleeve Organic V-Neck Tee

The Vera V Neck is Threads 4 Thought’s basic long sleeve V neck tee. Made from super soft organic cotton and recycled polyester, it’s the perfect basic tee for cooler nights that’s both comfortable and flattering. Slim fitting, with a gorgeous neckline and hem that hits below the hip, this simple, elegant tee can be worn to yoga, over a pair of jeans, or with a print skirt for versatile anywear style. Threads 4 Thought applies Fair Trade practices to its supplier and worker relationships, cultivating ethical and fashionable style. Colors vary: white, black, empress and pacific. Size: medium.

Retail Value $15

Total Value for the Fair Trade and Fabulous Fall Box: $544.80

Sale Price: $129 + free shipping! That’s a 76 percent savings. Seriously! Order now. They will sell out.

SOLD OUT

Offer good anywhere in the continental U.S. International shipping is not available at this time. Buy, one, two, or three boxes! Please allow up to three weeks for delivery. All sales are final. Due to the nature of this exclusive one-time sale, we cannot accept any returns or exchanges. Any inquiries or concerns regarding purchased Goodie Boxes must be submitted via Customer Service within 30 days from date of purchase. 

Find Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Related on EcoSalon

Understanding Fair Trade Certification for Fashion

Celebrate Fair Trade Month with Ethically Made Beauty Products: A to Z

NYFW: Fair Trade Fashion Inspires from the Runway

The post The Fair Trade & Fabulous Fall Box is Here appeared first on EcoSalon.

ColumnWhole Foods Market has been compared to heaven on earth. It’s not far off the mark. But what do all those labels and symbols mean? This edition of Behind the Label goes on a journey into Whole Foods’ Whole Trade certification.

The Good

If you haven’t yet set foot in a Whole Foods Market—even if eating healthy isn’t a priority for you—it’s worth a visit. For first timers, it’s kind of like strolling around the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria hotel even if you won’t be staying the night. Eventually though, most shoppers realize there are plenty of affordable products—products with quality ingredients and missions built on integrity.

That’s the core foundation of Whole Foods Market as co-founder John Mackey recently explained on an episode of Oprah Winfrey’s “Super Soul Sunday.” And the “Whole Trade” label is the distillation of his vision.

The Whole Trade certification is a proprietary label established and vetted by Whole Foods Market. According to the company’s website, the Whole Trade guarantee means products meet 5 requirements:

• Meet our strict product Quality Standards
• Provide more money to producers
• Ensure better wages and working conditions for workers
• Care for the environment
• Donate 1% of sales to Whole Planet Foundation®

Because Whole Foods’ standards are extremely high, in places like Ecuador and Mexico, Whole Trade partners pay their employees higher than average wages and provide a quality work experience.

Whole Trade products help to support community development by building in funding models that go directly to the communities to decide how to utilize the money. Examples include vaccinations and other health care needs, education, computer centers, child care and food programs and many more programs decided upon by the communities.

This gives the workers incentives above and beyond their regular earnings and because the community gets to decide how to spend the funding, they’re motivated to ensure the business thrives.

Like all products sold in Whole Foods Markets, the Whole Trade guarantee means products are free from artificial ingredients, preservatives and other undesirable ingredients. These products may be certified organic, certified Fair Trade, or Non-GMO verified, but it’s not a requirement. These products must also use “sound environmental practices that encourage biodiversity and healthy soils,” the company says on its website. “While some Whole Trade products are organic; others respect our planet Earth using a variety of conservation methods or respectful wild harvesting. Third-party certifiers confirm specific criteria is met.”

To bear the Whole Trade guarantee on a product, there must also be a donation to the Whole Planet Foundation—the chain’s microlending program, which has already committed nearly $50 million in loans to more than 3 million people in 59 countries.

The Bad

The Whole Trade guarantee, as well-rounded as it is in its mission, is also reliant on imported products—peppers from Mexico, flowers from Ecuador, chocolate and coffees from all around the world, to name a few. While these products may be grown or produced in conditions that are creating stronger communities in the developing world, there’s the impact of transporting these products to the U.S. This means lots of fossil fuels to fly, ship or truck products into the country.

As a leader in working with producers around the world, could the Whole Trade guarantee also become a label for alternate fossil fuels? Could the brand look at how to make its importing process use a smaller carbon footprint? If Elon Musk can put rockets into space, surely Whole Foods can bring flowers to the U.S. without it being an oil-intensive operation. Wouldn’t it be something to see a partnership with Tesla Motors on all transportation needs for Whole Foods? That may be way off into the future, but hopefully it’s a goal the chain is already considering.

Virgin Atlantic is also working on the fossil fuel issue, and even won an award for its development of biofuel options, which would be quite useful in flying in fresh cut flowers and other commodities requiring air transport. “This is an exciting innovation and a great step forward for Virgin Atlantic’s ‘Change in the Air’ sustainability programme,” the company said on its website. “It’s also another good example of how carbon emissions can be seen as a business opportunity, not just a business problem.” If the developed nations of the world are keen on supporting growth in the developing nations, we’ve also got to look at solving this problem of fossil fuel dependence. It would take the sting out of importing and help to create a truly sustainable global economy.

Another issue is that many of the Whole Trade products are fruits and vegetables—produce that’s not in season locally (or never in the contiguous U.S., like pineapple). This means that local farmers have a harder time selling their seasonal foods. Many American farmers are struggling in today’s climate and economy. So, seeing pineapples from Costa Rica on sale when it’s plum season isn’t exactly the best case scenario for local foods. Creating a year-round season for foods that have specific growing seasons, like asparagus, peppers and melons, also doesn’t help consumers to understand their local produce season. Whole Foods is often the first step to a healthy diet for customers and teaching them that peppers are a year-round commodity is not dishonest, but it’s not necessarily the most forthcoming approach either, even if there are signs that indicate country of origin. Still, making high quality, fresh produce available year-round is a very good thing, and empowering developing world communities in the process is inspiring.

Some Whole Trade products are also processed—even if minimally so. A chocolate bar, cookie or popcorn are certainly not Oreos, Doritos or Snickers, but these products can include high levels of added sugars and salts. So buyer beware when pulling a Whole Trade item off the shelf, particularly if you have dietary restrictions. While it may be an indicator of a healthier supply chain, it’s not always an indicator of a healthier snack choice.

The Questionable

Whole Foods is a cut above the rest of the nation’s supermarkets. It offers more transparency than any other chain of its size, and commitments like the Whole Trade guarantee are certainly good things. But we do have to ask ourselves whether we need some of the products in our lives. Cut flowers make beautiful birthday or Mother’s Day gifts, but so do wild-picked ones. Do we really need to be flying in flowers from high up in the Ecuadorian mountains?

While the Whole Trade guarantee does work with third-party certifiers such as organic and Fair Trade certifying bodies, there is no party verifying Whole Foods’ Whole Trade stamp. Consumers have to just trust that the logo is a guarantee they can feel good about.

Often, but not always, Whole Trade products are sold as premiums—meaning they cost more even though there may be products sold for less that rival the quality and mission behind the Whole Trade guarantee. Those premiums are usually sent back to the communities to support the programs that make the Whole Trade label desirable, but for the budget-conscious shopper they may not be the best choice.

Still, when most other supermarkets are filled with unhealthy foods and products that rely on deceptive marketing campaigns, working towards a Whole Trade guarantee is huge step towards healthier economies and consumers.

Find Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

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Image via Whole Foods Market

The post Whole Foods Market Whole Trade Guarantee: Behind the Label appeared first on EcoSalon.

What exactly does Fair Trade fashion mean?

Fair Trade is a term that is often loftily thrown around, just like its compatriots “sustainable”, “eco” and “green”, causing several of us to have no concrete understanding of what the term entails. When it comes to Fair Trade fashion, we may have a fragmented understanding of the fair wages and working conditions that the certified garments were made in – but how is the certification acquired and what does it mean in reality? We’ve investigated to find out, so read on!

There are several different types of Fair Trade certification processes in existence -part of which makes understanding the viability and significance of the certification confusing. However, all Fair Trade certifications are created on the same base-line principles. To receive certification a product must meet all of the criteria, which is the case of a fashion item must:

• Be made from a material grown and processed under Fair Trade conditions, meaning that the farmers receive fair prices and credit for their crop.
• Be manufactured by factory workers or artisans working under satisfactory, safe conditions and receiving fair wages. Forced child and slave labor are strictly prohibited.
• Be purchased by the retail label as directly as possible from the makers, cutting out the middle men. Most often the designers or design team of the fashion label will work directly with the artisans to convey their designs to the weavers, knitters, sewers and embellishers.
• Be created in a setting that fosters transparency and accountability throughout the textile and garment supply chain.
• Be created by communities of farmers, artisans and/or factory workers whose economic independence, social infrastructure and business organization skills are consequentially developed.
• Be manufactured in an environmentally friendly way, most favorably with organic certification of the raw materials (e.g. cotton, silk, wool, rayon, etc.) used, and with strict prohibition of harmful agrochemicals and GMOs.

These points are carefully inspected by the Fair Trade organization, which carries out routine check ups to maintain worker safety and health and ensure fair wages and prices to workers and farmers. This in turn helps the communities where various fashion items are made (which often are in third-world, developing countries or underprivileged communities) to improve standards and help establish sustainable local economies to develop local health care, education and social services. People Tree (a committed and certified Fair Trade fashion label) has beautifully outlined the benefits of Fair Trade on their blog.

The benefits of developing Fair Trade certified products and markets are immense, especially in developing countries where many fashion items are produced. The fragmented and often far from transparent supply chain of the fashion industry can often make Fair Trade certification difficult for garments and accessories, but can be trusted if the company provides specific information, down to the person who made your particular item, on the clothing tag, website or in-store.

If a fashion brand claims to be selling Fair Trade certified items, you can do your research, looking them up online to see if the information they provide backs up this claim. There are several online stores selling crafts that adhere to Fair Trade principals, and can be found through the Fair Trade USA website, which also points out Good & Fair Clothing, HAE Now, prAna, and Tompkins Point Apparel as Fair Trade fashion producers. Although based in the UK, The Fairtrade Foundation’s shopping guide also provides a list of brands and retailers providing us with Fair Trade fashion. To see more Fair Trade fashion options become available, contact your favorite label to educate them on the matter and inform them of how you and several others are more likely to invest in their products if they source Fair Trade certified ones.

Related on EcoSalon

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Image: People Tree

The post Understanding Fair Trade Certification for Fashion appeared first on EcoSalon.