The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is an integral part of fair trade. “FTF is the trade association located in downtown Washington, D.C. that strengthens and promotes North American organizations fully committed to fair trade,” Carmen Iezzi, FTF’s Executive Director, said. According to the FTF website, it values trade as a positive change, respectful partnerships, community, sustainable practices, full commitment to fair trade and consumer knowledge.
Formally incorporated in 1994, the FTF is an organizational evaluation association. In other words, they evaluate groups’ full commitment to the fair trade principles such as creating opportunities for economically and socially marginalized producers, paying farmers and artisans promptly and fairly, cultivating environmental stewardship and respecting cultural identity. These organizations oversee all types of fair trade products. The World Fair Trade Organization is also an organizational evaluation association.
“Each organization wanting to be part of FTF undergo a rigorous screening process to evaluate their trading practices and the depth of their commitment to the fair trade principles,” Iezzi said. “By approaching business and development in a holistic way, members work to make trade a tool to alleviate poverty, reduce inequality and create opportunities for people to help themselves.”
In a video interview with Iezzi, she describes FTF’s membership into three groups: 60% are importing companies based in the U.S. and Canada that work with artisan communities abroad, 30% are retailers and 10% are commodities companies like coffee and chocolate companies. FTF’s membership has increased steadily over time. In 2010, they added 31 new members. “Our members strive to only source under fair trade principles and place fair trade at the heart of what they do. FTF itself is not a certifying body, as we do not audit product chains,” Iezzi said.
Product certification organizations, like Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) and their U.S. affiliate, Fair Trade USA, set standards for and audits the supply chains of specific products from point of origin to point of sale.
“The FTF educates individual consumers by speaking to the press, engaging in social media, giving public presentations, and other forms of promotion,” Iezzi said. The FTF also continually supports its members by providing them fair trade educational tools via posters and brochures that they can pass on and further educate to their consumers on fair trade.
They also have the Fair Trade Federation University program that is available to members and the public. This platform works like an online university holding “webinars” that teach fair trade principles and impacts as well as general business building through social media and marketing strategies.
The FTF continues to positively impact the fair trade movement and promotes a sustainable economic and social system for everyone.