Fairtrade America Gives Thanks to New Licensees and Certified Goods Added in 2021; Peg Willingham and Adam Thatcher Comment

Making a difference in the lives of farmers and laborers one brand at a time, Fairtrade America is continuing to expand its network of companies carrying its label. To celebrate the industry’s growing commitment of fairer trading conditions through compliance with Fairtrade’s rigorous standards, the organization is giving thanks to its newest brand partners in 2021.

“It is such an honor to partner with our Fairtrade certified brands and jointly raise the voices of the 1.8 million farmers and workers behind products we buy every day,” said Peg Willingham, Executive Director, Fairtrade America. “It’s imperative we work together to promote fairer trading conditions, and in turn combat poverty, child labor, gender inequality, and climate change. When consumers choose products from our brand partners, they are part of a community standing up for justice and for a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

Becoming part of an ecosystem that helps farmers and workers get a fair deal, support themselves and their families, and farm sustainability even in the face of climate challenges, the new Fairtrade-certified brands include:

• Hu Kitchen: Committed to UltraSimple™, healthy ingredients, Hu Kitchen, is one of the fastest-growing snack companies in the United States, creating delicious paleo, dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free treats, now with Fairtrade-certified ingredients in its Chocolate Bars and Baking Gems
• Russell Stover Chocolates: The 98-year-old confectionery company known for its gifting chocolate launched Joy Bites this summer—its first-ever collection of no-sugar-added chocolate bars. The new line of five bars is carefully crafted with Fairtrade-certified cocoa and features breakable bites in resealable packaging that’s 100 percent recyclable with FSC-certified outer sleeves, reinforcing the company’s part of a much larger sustainability vision that counts on so many to be successful
• Grace Farms Foods: Grace Farms was created and is operated by Grace Farms Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ending forced labor. Announced in November, the organization introduced the allegedly first-ever Fairtrade-certified chocolate chip cookie in the U.S., sourcing and certifying the cocoa, sugar, and vanilla from Fairtrade producers. The cookies were carefully crafted through a collaboration with celebrity chef and Chopped champion Silvia Baldini, with the intention to demonstrate fair and just supply chains are possible
• Dukkan Foods: Dukkan brings the nostalgic corner store spirit to every corner of the world with authentic and thoughtfully made products that celebrate its Middle Eastern roots. This fall, Dukkan launched the allegedly first-ever tahini made with Fairtrade-certified sesame seeds in the U.S. The tahini is also fully organic, and the sesame seeds are sourced from the south of Egypt and Sudan

According to Fairtrade’s biennial Consumer Insights report conducted by GlobeScan, almost 80 percent of shoppers in the U.S. aware of Fairtrade and its mission would look at brands that carry its certification label more favorably. As noted in a press release, 73 percent of Fairtrade shoppers are willing to pay more for a product that ensures producers are paid a fair price and 77 percent of Fairtrade shoppers said the Fairtrade Mark makes it easy to decide if a product is ethically and responsibly produced.

Each of these interesting insights shows the growing shopper demand for transparency, demonstrable fair wages, and environmental protection in sourcing and production.

“We are proud to now join the Fairtrade movement and do our part to help ensure all farmers can enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods,” remarked Adam Thatcher, Co-Founder of Grace Farms Foods. “By working with Fairtrade, we are providing consumers with an easy-to-recognize way to know that our products are made with care for people at the center.”

As a globally recognizable ethical label, the Fairtrade Mark showcases the rigorous standards that each brand that displays must meet.

Fairtrade International was once again considered the gold standard of fair-trade certifications in an analysis conducted by Fair World Project, an independent advocacy group promoting fair trade for small-scale producers and labor justice for workers around the world.

With new brands continuing to join Fairtrade’s network, who will be next and how will the growing consumer demand for fair trade standards impact the foods industry? Stick with Deli Market News to find out.