May is Fair Trade Month
Fair trade, sustainable, organic – these terms can often be confusing. Here’s a quick review and why The Green Robin believes in these principles so strongly.
Fair Trade is a system of exchange that honors producers, communities, consumers and the environment. It is a model for the global economy rooted in people-to-people connections, justice and sustainability.
Sustainability is an attempt to provide the best outcomes for the human and natural environments both now and into the indefinite future. Sustainability relates to the continuity of economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human society, as well as the non-human environment.
Organic is a form of agriculture which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The role of organic agriculture is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organisms from the smallest in the soil to human beings.
The Green Robin values these principles and carefully selects goods produced by companies who uphold them. These companies realize the importance of paying a fair wage to workers and a fair price for goods. These companies work with farmer-owned cooperatives which empower individuals in the global economy and create a sustainable future for everyone. These companies also understand that when production has a minimal impact on the environment, everyone wins.