Before tea has a chance to be brewed and served to you at the Tea Smith, it has to be cultivated harvested and transported (sometimes from very remote regions), passing through many different hands before it settles into a fresh cup just for you. It can be hard to remember that there’s a great deal of labor and planning that goes into every handful of loose-leaf tea that makes its way to our shop.
The work of farmers and harvesters is really valuable, but hasn’t always been rewarded in the fairest way. Many times, producers get the short end of the deal, with vendors making profits while farmers remain in poverty. That’s why Fairtrade certification is so important. It allows customers to know quickly and with certainty that the products they’re enjoying are made in a way that meets ethical labor standards.
According to Fairtrade International (one of the organizations that sets standards for Fairtrade), the main objectives of setting these standards is to:
- ensure that producers receive prices that cover their average costs of sustainable production
- provide an additional Fairtrade Premium which can be invested in projects that enhance social, economic and environmental development
- enable pre-financing for producers who require it
- facilitate long-term trading partnerships and enable greater producer control over the trading process
- set clear minimum and progressive criteria to ensure that the conditions of production and trade of all Fairtrade certified products are socially, economically fair and environmentally responsible
The Tea Smith is proud to serve Fairtrade certified products because we’re committed to bringing the best tea to you in the most ethical way possible. That’s why we’re associated with Fairtrade USA, the leading third-party certifier of Fairtrade products in the United States. If you’re looking to learn more about Fairtrade (and what it means for producers, vendors and consumers), there’s a lot more information available on Fairtrade USA’s website, including detailed information on what Fairtrade standards are and what you can do to get involved.