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Fair Trade Products Around the Market

This article is part of a three-part series celebrating fair trade products. Click here to read from the beginning.

Coffee, chocolate, seafood and produce are among the key products impacted by Fair Trade initiatives. To help consumers easily identify Fair Trade certified goods, a number of national and global organizations have created labeling programs to endorse products that meet agreed-upon Fair Trade standards. These labeling certification programs cover a growing range of products, including bananas, honey, coffee, oranges, cocoa, cotton, dried and fresh fruits and vegetables, juices, nuts and oil seeds, quinoa, rice, spices, sugar, tea and wine.

Here are just a few highlights from around our markets:

Dark Chocolate Bar with Cocoa Beans Dark Chocolate Bar with Cocoa Beans

Chocolate/Cocoa Products

Chocolate is one of the world's favorite foods, but growing cocoa is a hard task. Ninety percent of the world's cocoa is grown on small family farms by about 6 million farmers that protect this delicate, sensitive crop from wind, sun, pests and disease. Despite their hard work, cocoa farmers may gain very little from what is otherwise a very profitable global cocoa trade. The Fair Trade movement is helping to make it more sustainable for all stakeholders and the environment.

Look for these and other fair trade cocoa brands and products at your local Kowalski's Market:

  • Alter Eco
  • barkTHINS
  • Chuao Chocolatier
  • Divine Chocolate
  • Endangered Species
  • Guittard Chocolate Company
  • Kashi
  • LÄRABAR
  • Lily's
  • Little Secrets
  • TCHO
  • Sted Chocolate
  • Tony's Chocolonely
Closeup of coffee beans Closeup of coffee beans

Coffee and Tea

Coffee is the most well-established Fair Trade commodity. Internationally recognized fair trade coffee standards as outlined by Fairtrade International require small producers to be grouped in democratic cooperatives or groups. Coffee buyers and sellers must establish long-term, stable relationships, paying at least the minimum fair trade price (or market price if it is higher), plus a social premium of 20¢ per pound of coffee to the producers. Look for these and other fair trade coffees and tea at your local Kowalski's Market:

  • Kicking Horse Coffee
  • Kowalski's Organic Coffee
  • Morningstar Coffee
  • Numi Organic Tea
  • Peace Coffee
  • UP Coffee Roasters
Avocado Avocado

Fresh Produce

Powerful corporate interests in the agriculture industry have made it difficult for small-scale farmers in developing countries to compete against large estates and plantations, who can afford to sell their commodities at irresistibly low prices. The Fair Trade movement believes it is unethical to pay these small producers the market price if that price is too low to provide a sufficient quality of life. By purchasing Fair Trade produce at a premium, consumers can help support these farmers and ensure that they receive a fair wage and sufficient health care benefits. Fair Trade certified produce is also grown using sustainable agricultural methods, with restricted pesticide use and no GMOs. Look for these Fair Trade fruits and vegetables at your local Kowalski's Market:

  • Avocados
  • Del Cabo Grape and Cherry Tomatoes
  • Del Cabo Mini Peppers
  • Del Cabo Sugar Snap Peas (when available)
  • Fyffes Fair Trade Certified Bananas (the only bananas we carry!)
  • Mangoes (when available)

Selection and availability of fair trade products may vary by market.