Coffee farm worker

Respect Your Fellow Man: Buy Fair Trade

As a whole, most most people do the right thing. We hold doors, donate to the needy, and try to right the wrongs we see in the world. But what about those wrongs we do not see? Such as child labor and inhumane working conditions in other countries? Most of us do not get a picture of the women taken from their homes by human trafficking, and forced to work in the cocoa fields for little to no pay when we buy a chocolate bar to make s'mores in the back yard. No one is shown a video of the deplorable living and working conditions children endure, while working 18 hour days in factories when we buy a brand new outfit from the mall. But just because we don’t see it doesn’t mean it's not there. And one way to do the right thing, and fight against these human rights atrocities,is to become a part of the fair trade movement.

The fair trade movement is dedicated to raising awareness about the inequalities within international trade. From workers to whole communities, buying fair trade helps to develop economic growth and social justice. Although trading any product fairly, from raw food to clothes, can benefit a community and its workers, there are some that are in more need of reform than others. These include, chocolate, tea, sugar, bananas, cotton, and flowers. The best part is that often, there is little or no difference in price between fair trade products and their counterparts.

Here are some quick facts about what happens when you buy Fair Trade:

You are saying NO to:

You are saying YES to:

In the end fair trade makes this world a better place. And all you have to do is take an extra minute to seek out the fair trade versions of your favorite products. In fact your local health food stores may carry fair trade products. Here at Earthlight Natural Foods we are proud to consistently offer a number of fair trade products for everyday use and even some for gifting purposes. This holiday season, there is no better gift than one you can give with a clear conscience. No matter how far away or different we may be, it is our responsibility as human beings to take care of each other. Do your part, and buy fair trade.

Anna Mahoney is a Licensed Acupuncturist with a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition from Rutgers University. In her practice, she focuses on bringing her patients back to health through Chinese Medicine, nutritional counseling, and overall wellness care. In her personal life, she is a passionate cook, musician, yogi, and athlete. Anna lives in New Jersey, with her husband, John, and their dog, Betty. Anna blogs at The Green Banana.