by Shannon Sutton
As we celebrate National Fair Trade Weeks from May 1 to 15, and World Fair Trade Day on May 9, La Siembra’s worker-owners are reflecting on fair trade’s true impact. We’ve seen increased coverage of fair trade issues in the media in recent months, frequently highlighting the price paid to farmers for their goods. While this has certainly served to raise awareness on the financial benefits of the fair trade certification system, the buzz around La Siembra is about much more than just price.
Our co-operative works closely with producers in the South, visiting farmers and inviting them here to learn more about Canadian markets. As we’ve visited producer co-ops in the Dominican Republic, Peru, Panama and Costa Rica, and have welcomed producer representatives from those countries, we’ve been reminded that, while fair trade principles do guarantee fair prices to farmers, thereby assisting them to stay on their land and better plan for their future, they provide critical support for producers in many other ways:
As we celebrate National Fair Trade Weeks from May 1 to 15, and World Fair Trade Day on May 9, La Siembra’s worker-owners are reflecting on fair trade’s true impact. We’ve seen increased coverage of fair trade issues in the media in recent months, frequently highlighting the price paid to farmers for their goods. While this has certainly served to raise awareness on the financial benefits of the fair trade certification system, the buzz around La Siembra is about much more than just price.
Our co-operative works closely with producers in the South, visiting farmers and inviting them here to learn more about Canadian markets. As we’ve visited producer co-ops in the Dominican Republic, Peru, Panama and Costa Rica, and have welcomed producer representatives from those countries, we’ve been reminded that, while fair trade principles do guarantee fair prices to farmers, thereby assisting them to stay on their land and better plan for their future, they provide critical support for producers in many other ways:
- Supporting environmentally sustainable farming practices such as waste reduction, soil fertility maintenance and water resource management;
- Facilitating access to advance credit which allows for long-term planning;
- Strengthening farmer-owned co-operatives, whose members experience empowerment via ownership and added value in the supply chain;
- Providing premiums to those farmer-owned co-operatives, enabling them to benefit farmers and their families through such projects as the building of health clinics, water systems and schools, as well as allowing investments in business and technical infrastructures.
Happy National Fair Trade Weeks and Happy World Fair Trade Day!
Shannon Sutton studies International Development at Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and holds an undergraduate degree in Marketing and International Business from McGill University. Shannon has worked as Communications Manager at La Siembra Co-operative/Cocoa Camino, and currently sits on La Siembra’s Board of Directors. Shannon has worked as Interim Manager of a fair trade eco-lodge in northern Mozambique, and as Project Co-ordinator for Communications at an NGO in London, England.
No comments:
Post a Comment