[Note from Blog Admin: Alaffia will also have a booth at Expo West this weekend. However, Alaffia is not a Transfair "licensee" because Transfair has opted not to consider fair trade certification for shea butter, stating that there is not enough evidence of unfair market practices in the shea butter market. You don't need a Tranfair guide however to check us out. If you're at the Expo, you are most welcome to come by the Alaffia booth and find out more about fair trade shea butter.]

Fair Trade Certified Products Step into the Natural Foods Limelight at Expo West

Oakland, CA (February 26, 2008) -In 1998, Will Smith’s “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” became a billboard chart-topper, organic became a new buzzword for the mainstream consumer, and TransFair USA opened its doors with Fair Trade Certified™ coffee.

Ten years later, Will Smith pulls up 22,000 hits on You Tube, Certified Organic captures 70% of U.S. consumer recognition, and a record 46 companies will showcase Fair Trade Certified products among their offerings at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Ca. on March 13-16, 2008. In 2008, Fair Trade is emerging as a leading trend within the Natural Products industry.Domestic sales of Fair Trade Certified products, including coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, rice, vanilla and bananas, surpassed the $1 billion mark in 2007. With more than 700 companies bearing the Fair Trade Certified label on their products in the United States, and with overall distribution in more than 45,000 supermarkets, cafés, restaurants and online retail outlets, Fair Trade Certified means business – better, more sustainable business – not only for farmers and farm workers in the developing world, but also for companies small and large in the United States.

Fair Trade Certified requires importers and retailers pay a premium price to farmers and farm workers who agree to grow the certified products in an environmentally friendly manner. The retailers often, but not always, pass along the small premium to consumers. This market-based approach to alleviating global poverty and promoting sustainability has helped TransFair USA deliver more than $100 million in additional revenue to farmers worldwide.

“Consumer awareness of Fair Trade Certified is key,” said Paul Rice, the chief executive officer of Oakland-based TransFair USA. “Studies have consistently shown that once consumers understand what Fair Trade Certified is all about, they will make an effort to purchase certified products. And ultimately, this awareness translates to more money, better infrastructure and a healthier environment for farmers and farm workers worldwide.”

TransFair USA will display a sampling of Fair Trade Certified products from more than 20 licensees in booth #3584. In addition to launching Fair Trade Certified flowers earlier this year, TransFair USA – in tandem with Wholesome Sweeteners – will introduce Fair Trade Certified honey as its newest product category.

Additionally, Anthony Marek, TransFair USA’s VP of External Communications, will co-present an educational session entitled, “Global Commerce: Opportunities for Social Responsibility and Fair Trade” on Thursday, March 13, from 1:00-2:15 p.m., Room 207B.

To schedule an interview with a TransFair USA spokesperson, or spokesperson of a TransFair USA licensee, please contact Anthony Marek at (510) 663-5260 x 346. Please indicate your interest in walking the show floor with a member of the TransFair USA PR team to meet with various licensees and see their products on the show floor.

About TransFair USA
TransFair USA is the only independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade Certified products in the United States. TransFair USA audits and certifies transactions between U.S. companies offering Fair Trade Certified products and their international suppliers to guarantee that the farmers and workers producing Fair Trade Certified goods were paid fair prices and wages. TransFair USA certifies coffee, tea, herbs, vanilla, cocoa, chocolate, rice, sugar, bananas, flowers and now honey.

Contact:
Anthony Marek
PR director, TransFair USA
510.663.5260 ext. 346
amarek@transfairusa.org
This page last updated: February 26, 2008

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 13th, 2008 at 9:29 am and is filed under Alaffia, Events, Fair Trade. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.