Fair Trade
We here at Ger-Nis not only see organics as a pivotal part of the process of keeping the people and the planet healthy, but we are also strong advocates of Fair Trade and are continuing to journey into this sector by offering Fair Trade Fruits. The Fair Trade organizations throughout the world are growing rapidly as a result of poor land management, increasing poverty, and an overall lack of attention to a large portion of the planet where a good majority of the worlds food is produced. Fair Trade not only monitors the entire process beginning with communities but it empowers the communities themselves, creating the opportunity for not only advancent within those communities but an overall ability to sustain those very communities for the long haul.
Fair trade is much more than fair prices it is a system of sustainability created to repair years of damge that the global marketplace has created.
Fair Trade Principles: (Taken from TransFair USA)
Fair price: Democratically organized farmer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price and an additional premium for certified organic products. Farmer organizations are also eligible for pre-harvest credit.
Fair labor conditions: Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited.
Direct trade: With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.
Democratic and transparent organizations: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers decide democratically how to invest Fair Trade revenues.
Community development: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement trainings, and organic certification.
Environmental sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers’ health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.
Ger-Nis is dedicated to continuing to evolve with the Fair Trade systems and work to add more products to this system.