What is Fair Trade?
 Definition: Fair Trade is a movement to foster global trading partnerships based on the following principles (outlined by the Fair Trade Federation):
- Providing fair wages in the local context,
- Supporting safe, healthy, and participatory workplaces,
- Supplying financial and technical support to build capacity,
- Ensuring environmental sustainability,
- Respecting cultural identity,
- Offering public accountability and transparency,
- Building direct and long-term relationships, and
- Educating consumers.
Too many times artisans and farmers in areas throughout the world are hindered by the limited market found in their own locales and the greedy traders that rob them of any earnings. For this reason fair trade has developed to meet the needs of these individuals, who produce a product of high quality, that attracts a high demand from consumer markets abroad.
 Without the help of fair trade organizations and cooperatives these same individuals would be subject to below standard living conditions either depending on the little earnings made from local trade or sales to greedy middlemen.
In some cases they might have to begin working for others who exploit workers and inflict inhumane conditions.
Fair trade now occurs around the world on every continent in most countries where foreign businesses' organizations are allowed.
The sale of fair trade items may be found in stores, catalogues, open air markets, fairs, shows, etc. It is not a limited field nor do fair traders occupy a certain region of the United States or world. Furthermore, customers of fair trade vary from one to another.
There is no typical fair trader or fair trade consumer except that each individual involved decides at some point to make a decision to care about who made the sweater they wear or the coffee they drink.
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