Fairly Traded Organics Blog

The Farmers Are Local, the Products Exotic

2009-08-31T19:13:00.001-05:00

Many farms in Connecticut are specializing in exotic foods, like Caribbean grapefruit, manzano peppers and brown Indian cucumbers.
Read More... [Source: NYT > Organic Food - Posted by FreeAutoBlogger]

Understanding the essence of using organic sugar

2009-08-29T12:22:00.000-05:00

Effort et Esperance in Madagascar

2009-08-29T10:48:00.001-05:00

"Why aren't you in school?" Albertine Razafimahatratra asked some children in her neighborhood. Their answer was short. "No money," they told her. Many were the sons and daughters of pousse-pousse (rickshaw) drivers, who earn very little.Albertine decided to do what she could to remedy the situation. She paid for 15 children to go to school, and then she began teaching children in her father's house. This was when Albertine, backed by supporters in France, started Association Zazakely to...
Read More... [Source: Fair Trade Federation : Articles - Posted by FreeAutoBlogger]

Naked Organic Spirits - Fairly Traded Organic's new project

2009-08-28T17:54:00.002-05:00

Fairly Traded Organics (FTO) is working hard to bring to market our own organic distilled spirits label: Naked Organic Spirits

We have had the pleasure of supplying our raw organic alcohol and rums to our wonderful customers. These customers include Ocean Vodka www.oceanvodka.com and Maison Jomere - http://www.maisonjomere.com/papagayowhiterum.htm

There is a real opportunity to provide the organic rums we produce in Paraguay to the U.S. Currently, there is no organic rum being offered to the U.S. market. Furthermore, we control the only organic certified rum in the world (the only to be certified NOP, EU and JAS organic and Kosher. We have developed some very strategic relationships which will enable us to redistill our organic rums, bottle, and distribute in the U.S.

We plan to first offer both organic white and gold rums. Then, we will offer an organic spiced rum and organic flavored rums such as coconut, vanilla, pineapple, citrus, banana, etc. Further down the road, FTO could expand our organic distilled spirits offerings to also include our own organic vodkas, gins, etc.

We are actively seeking investment for this project. For more information on investment opportunities please contact David Schroeder at dschroeder@fairlytradedorganics.com

OTA offers ground-breaking report on attitudes about organic products

2009-08-28T17:24:00.011-05:00

Contact: Barbara Haumann
413-376-1220
bhaumann@ota.com

GREENFIELD, Mass. (June 10, 2009)� Findings from the 2009 U.S. Families� Organic Attitudes and Beliefs Study to be released next week at the Organic Trade Association�s (OTA�s) All Things Organic� Conference and Trade Show in Chicago show that U.S. families are not giving up their purchases of organic products despite uncertainty over the economy.

In the study jointly sponsored by OTA and KIWI Magazine, three in ten U.S. families (31 percent) indicated they are actually purchasing more organic foods compared to a year ago, with many parents preferring to reduce their spending in other areas before targeting organic product cuts. In fact, 17 percent of U.S. families said their largest increases in spending in the past year were for organic products.

New study: Nearly three-quarters of U.S. families buy organic products

2009-08-28T17:24:00.009-05:00

Contact: Barbara Haumann
802-579-9317
bhaumann@ota.com

GREENFIELD, Mass. (June 16, 2009)�Tightening their spending habits amid economic uncertainty, U.S. families, however, are not giving up their purchases of organic products. In fact, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of U.S. families buy organic products at least occasionally, chiefly for health reasons according to a new study to be unveiled this week.

Findings from the 2009 U.S. Families� Organic Attitudes and Beliefs Study, jointly sponsored by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and KIWI Magazine, also show that three in ten U.S. families (31 percent) are actually buying more organic foods compared to a year ago, with many parents preferring to reduce their spending in other areas before targeting organic product cuts. In fact, 17 percent of U.S. families said their largest increases in spending in the past year were for organic products.

�These findings reinforce the data collected in OTA�s 2009 Organic Industry Survey that showed continued healthy growth in U.S. sales of organic products,� said Christine Bushway, OTA�s executive director.

Organic Label Remains Trustworthy and Relevant

2009-08-28T17:24:00.007-05:00

Contact: Laura Batcha
(413-376-1227; lbatcha@ota.com)

Media Alert:

GREENFIELD, Mass. (July 4, 2009) � The Organic Trade Association (OTA) and its members are organic advocates. We believe in, support, and advocate for the integrity of the organic label and strict enforcement of federal organic standards because this is fundamental to living up to the contract with consumers who choose or who are considering choosing organic products.

At the June 17 annual meeting of the OTA membership, Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, announced �the new era of equivalence and enforcement of organic standards.� She was met with a standing ovation from the packed house.

It is unfortunate the Washington Post article, �Purity of Federal �Organic� Label Is Questioned�, July 3, 2009, focused on old news and urban legends. The article also chose to reinforce rhetoric that is not only inaccurate but serves a narrow agenda whose motivations go unquestioned in the article.

OTA, on behalf of its members, would like to correct some inaccuracies and try to move the debate beyond narrow rhetoric and toward a more fact-based perspective.

Fair Trade: The Story

2009-08-27T17:06:00.002-05:00

Organic Farms as Subdivision Amenities

2009-08-27T14:47:00.007-05:00

Developers are trying to make lots more attractive by putting crops in the ground.
Read More... [Source: NYT > Organic Food - Posted by FreeAutoBlogger]

An Organic Farm With a View

2009-08-27T14:47:00.001-05:00

The sustainable farm with the most exclusive view in New York is the one that just opened on Governors Island.
Read More... [Source: NYT > Organic Food - Posted by FreeAutoBlogger]

Watermelon Juice: The New Fuel?: Discovery News

2009-08-27T08:34:00.001-05:00

Watermelon Juice: The New Fuel?: Discovery News

Posted using ShareThis

Raw Sugar at a 28 year high

2009-08-12T18:37:00.001-05:00

The best organic and natural ingredient granola

2009-07-02T19:56:00.008-05:00

Ashley, a friend of mine in Phoenix, has very successfully launched a new company, The Healthy Nut. She now sells incredibly delicious granola made from all natural and organic ingredients at multiple Phoenix-area farmers markets and will soon be shelving the product in a few area bakeries.

It has really been a joy to watch her build The Healthy Nut from the ground up and I am continuously amazed at how quickly things are moving for her. She's one great gal and apparently a pretty darn savvy entrepreneur. I'm proud of you Ash!

It goes to show that even in tough economic times such as these, a person with a vision, some creativity, and a lot of determination can make something wonderful happen for themselves. So not only is Ash creating happiness for herself with her new venture, she is sharing her wonderful ability to bake delicious and healthy granola with other people!

Check out her website: http://www.thehealthynutonline.com/index.html and support her however you can! Your tummy will thank you :)

Green Booze

2009-07-02T19:48:00.003-05:00

Article on Ecoble.com

Notice which one is listed first? I'm not saying that is necessarily proof that its the best.....but it is listed first :)

Shay and his people make a great organic vodka over there at Ocean Vodka. We here at FTO have more than enough to know that its our favorite vodka!

Keep an eye out on this blog for some exciting announcements coming soon - hint: it may have something to do with an organic rum

Healthy Chocolate

2009-07-02T12:27:00.003-05:00

A pretty unique product that Fairly Traded Organics is working to partner with (to supply organic certified cocoa butter and cocoa liquor)

Healthy Chocolate™ is made from the finest ingredients that are mostly organic and contains no sugar. Sugar interferes with the sugar-insulin balance of the body. Healthy Chocolate™ contains a proprietary herbal formula, using an all-natural chocolate-based delivery system that also provides the positive effects that cocoa has on the body.

You are what you eat!!

2009-07-02T12:23:00.001-05:00

Do you really know what goes into your food? Discover the advantages of organic food on this site and see exactly what producers have been adding to your fruit and vegetables to make it less healthy than a few years ago.

Cool Video

2009-07-02T12:13:00.002-05:00

Great compilation of street performers from around the world spliced together to create this video:

What does Fair Trade mean?

2009-06-26T20:24:00.004-05:00

Besides being certified organic, the raw sugars, molasses, alcohol, and rum we deal in can also be Fair Trade certified. But what does that mean?

You may have seen the term "fair trade" advertised on some products or by merchants and businesses. What does the certification mean and what's the relation to the environment?

Many workers around the world are treated and paid very poorly. Approximately 20% of the world's population exists on under a dollar a day; and around double that have incomes of under $2 a day. You might often wonder how some products you buy can be so cheap - underpaid workers toiling in sweatshops contributes to our "bargains", as do the environmentally destructive processes used to create some of the products we consume. That bargain may come at a very high price to our fellow man and the environment.

But these issues aren't confined to cheap items. Some of the world's biggest companies who place high price tags on goods utilize sweatshop labor - and the profits are incredible.

For example, a well known shoe company with products often retailing over $150 has been reported to pay their full time workers in India below the minimum family living wage in that country - less than $2 a day; including bonuses. The same company knowingly exposes workers to hazardous chemicals without appropriate protection - humans and the environment suffers as a result.

So unfortunately, price of an item doesn't necessarily indicate that workers involved in creating it, nor the environment is well treated.

Fair Trade movement history

In the middle of last century, some religious and non government organizations recognized these abuses and set about creating a fair trade market. The original products were mostly craftworks, but Fair Trade principles have been applied to a wide range of goods and services since - including coffee, textiles, tea and chocolate.

Fair Trade principles and certification

While ethical trade is part of the spirit of Fair Trade, they are two very different things. In order for a merchant to be able to authentically be able to claim Fair Trade status, the goods and services sold must:

a) Create opportunities for marginalized groups
b) Demonstrate transparent management and full accountability
c) Encourage the independence of producers
d) Pay the producer a fair price
e) Women workers must be properly valued and rewarded
f) Provide a safe and healthy working environment for producers
g) Demonstrate good environmental practices and responsible methods of production
h) Respect the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
i) Promote Fair Trade and educate others on the concept

The environmental standards are quite stringent, ensuring the minimum use and safe handling of agrochemicals, conservation of water, controls on gathering from the wild and deforestation, a ban on GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) crops and good soil management practices.

While not necessarily organic, Fair Trade items do foster good environmental stewardship. It's also important to know that not all organic goods are necessarily produced under fair trade conditions.

Fairtrade certification is designed to help consumers identify products which meet the above standards. In order for a product to display the International Fairtrade Certification Mark or the Fair Trade Certified Mark; it must undergo a rigorous auditing process. The auditing, certification process and management of the Fair Trade system is overseen by FLO International and FLO-CERT.

Fair trade items and cost

Fair Trade certified items do tend to cost a little more - but you can buy knowing that the people who created them were paid fairly and treated with respect, as was the environment in which they came from. If you find the costs a little steep to get everything you can from Fair Trade sources, perhaps even swapping one of your regular product purchases for a fair trade item? Every bit helps, especially when millions of people take the same step.

If you run a business and provide amenities such as coffee and tea for your staff, this would be a great change you can make, plus you'll raise awareness among your staff about fair trade issues!

Fair trade and big business

Aside from helping these farmers, artisans and the environment, purchasing fair trade items helps put pressure on other companies who don't engage fair trade principles to change their ways. I'll be writing to my regular supplier to tell them why I'll no longer be buying their product. A single email may not mean much to them, but what if thousands of others did too? At some stage, they would sit up and take notice - their continued viability depends upon it.

Video about the sugar cane harvest in Paraguay

2009-06-26T20:15:00.005-05:00

Our supplier, OTISA, still harvests sugar cane in a very similar manner as shown in this really neat video.

Paraguay Trip - Otisa Organic Sugar Mill Tour

2009-06-23T23:12:00.002-05:00

Updated FTO Website

2009-06-22T22:59:00.003-05:00

We launched a new design to our website about a year ago. We have added some new features to our site.

Every page has an automatic website translation tool above the menu
We have an automatically updating news aggregator page that continuously updates organic industry news Fairly Traded Organics Organic Industry News Aggregator Page
We have also implemented an FTO News and Announcements Page
We have updated our Products Pages

Ocean Organic Vodka

2009-06-21T21:17:00.002-05:00

Fairly Traded Organics has been chosen to be the new organic alcohol supplier for Ocean Vodka.

After a successful large batch trial run, the owners of Ocean Vodka have elected to reformulate their product using our organic sugar cane ethyl alcohol. Ocean Vodka is headquarted in Maui, Hawaii and produces an ultra-premium organic vodka blended with our organic sugar cane alcohol and nutrient-rich freshwater from a deep ocean vent off the Hawaiian Islands.
Please check out their website: http://www.oceanvodka.com/