UC San Diego Fair Trade
In 2009, Chancellor Fox established the UC San Diego Fair Trade Advisory Committee, composed of operational staff and students who work together to advance Fair Trade Practices on campus. The committee is moving forward with an aggressive plan to become a “Fair Trade University”, meeting (or exceeding) the requirements of Trans-Fair USA.
The proposed Fair Trade University Policy is targeting coffee, tea, sugar, chocolate, ice cream and grains. Campus organizations have already made the switch to Fair Trade Products, and many campus vendors are also beginning to make the switch.
The term “Fair Trade” gets used a lot, but what does it mean?
Fair Trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that empowers developing countries to produce sustainably. The movement advocates the payment of a fair price for goods, as well as social and environmental standards in areas where they might not normally exist—particularly exports from developing countries to developed countries. Fair Trade items often include handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, fresh fruit, and flowers.
Key Principles:
The principles of Fair Trade are based on the principles and shared experience of organizations over many years. The most important of these are the unique to Fair Trade and are integral to its developmental objectives. These include:
- Market Access for Marginalized Producers
Many producers are excluded from mainstream markets or only able to access them through lengthy, inefficient trading chains. By promoting Fair Trade, producers realize the social benefits of traditional forms of production values, and buyers have access to trade producers who would normally be excluded from the market.
In short, Fair Trade helps producers receive more from the final selling price of their goods. - Sustainable and Equitable trading Relationships
Trading terms offered by Fair Trade buyers enable producers and workers to maintain a sustainable livelihood; that is one that not only meets the day-to-day needs for economic, social, and environmental well-being but that also enables improved conditions in the future. Prices and payment are determined by assessment of these factors rather than just reference to current market conditions. - Capacity Building and Empowerment
Fair Trade relationships assist the producer organization in understanding market conditions and business trends. Thus they are able to develop the knowledge, skill, and resources necessary to exert more control over their lives. - Consumer Awareness and Advocacy
Fair Trade relationships offer a unique opportunity to educate the consumer about the need for social justice and change in the market. Consumer support enables Fair trade Organizations to be advocates and campaigners for wider reform of international trading rules, achieving the ultimate goal of an equitable global trading system.
That’s a lot of big words. What’s the bottom line for me…why should I care about Fair Trade?
- Fair prices for farmers and workers
- Environmentally sustainable farming practices
- Decent working and living conditions
- Investments in the local community
- NO child labor!
Do your part. Look for the UC San Diego Fair Trade sticker wherever you buy products on campus!
Here’s where you can find Fair Trade on campus.