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We are fortunate to live in a time of plenty – at least here in the Western world. We have more food that we could possibly consume. We have more choices than ever before in history, and our food is cheap.
You might take exception with that last premise when you write a check for your local grocery purchases, but the cost of healthy food easily available to almost everyone means that it is affordable in our living standard.
 The next step in our sustainable living checklist is to get involved in the larger picture of food production by looking at the well-being of the producers of our food.
Surprisingly, our cheapest food often comes from impoverished regions of the world where the workers and the growers remain impoverished while middle men reap large profits. But that food is far from cheap in terms of human energy, impact on the planet and cost of transportation.
 Step 4: Buy Fair Trade Products
 Labels that say the product is fair trade certified mean that the wholesalers, retailers and producers support living wages and safe and healthy conditions for workers and their families in the developing world.
When you see the “fair trade certified” label, it means that markets in North America and producers in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other parts of the world have established a fair and equitable partnership. A fair trade partnership works to provide low-income artisans and farmers with a living wage for their work. Fair Trade Federation (FTF) criteria are:
- Paying a fair wage in the local context.
- Offering employees opportunities for advancement.
- Providing equal employment opportunities for all people, particularly the most disadvantaged.
- Engaging in environmentally sustainable practices.
- Being open to public accountability.
- Building long-term trade relationships.
- Providing healthy and safe working conditions within the local context.
- Providing financial and technical assistance to producers whenever possible.
- Cooperative workplaces
- Respect for cultural identity
This means that workers are paid at least that country's minimum wage. Since the minimum wage is often not enough for basic survival, whenever possible, workers are paid a living wage, which enables them to cover basic needs, including food, shelter, education and health care for their families.
Paying fair wages does not necessarily mean that products cost the consumer more. Since fair trade organizations bypass exploitative middle people and work directly with producers, they are able to cut costs and return a greater percentage of the retail price to the producer.
Chocolate, coffee, tea, bananas and crafts are the most frequently fair traded products.
You can learn more about fair trade and find fair trade retailers near you at: www.fairtradefederation.org and www.transfairusa.org.
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