More than a feel good gesture, Fair Trade Certified tea and coffee translates into guaranteed fair wages while providing premiums paid directly to tea workers through vigorous oversight and arbitration. This assists many global peoples by providing the funds necessary for basic services that most of us often take for granted. This includes adequate housing, healthy food, necessary clothing, basic healthcare, and education. Our guarantee to you is that when you purchase any product from Mountain Rose Herbs with the Fair Trade label, a portion of the sale is being re-directed to agricultural communities that have been traditionally exploited for generations for the purpose of providing a more hopeful future.
Any product bearing this seal went through rigorous inspections, audits and reviews. The harvest sites are monitored to guarantee that workers are treated fairly and are receiving just compensation and a livable wage. This process will also assist farmers during times of market fluctuations. When prices plummet dramatically, harvesters are given a set wage from the beginning thus providing financial security a secured wage. Historically tea and coffee have been the major crops offered as Fair Trade Certified, however this has changed recently with the introduction of Fair Trade herbs and spices!
Mountain Rose Herbs is proud to announce that with several months of negotiation with all the individuals and organizations involved, we have become the first direct market supplier of certified Fair Trade herbs and spices in the United States! Please see our bulk herb page to view current offerings.
Fair Trade is much more than a fair price! Fair Trade principles include:
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Fair price: Democratically organized farmer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price and an additional premium for certified organic products. Farmer organizations are also eligible for pre-harvest credit.
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Fair labor conditions : Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited.
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Direct trade: With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.
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Democratic and transparent organizations : Fair Trade farmers and farm workers decide democratically how to invest Fair Trade revenues.
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Community development : Fair Trade farmers and farm workers invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement training, and organic certification.
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Environmental sustainability : Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers' health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.
To view the Fair Trade certificate issued to Mountain Rose Herbs (Click Here)
For more information please see the website of TransFair USA http://www.transfairusa.org/
