We look forward to the day
trading fairly is business as usual.
Fair Trade champions a world where every trade relationship is built on fairness and equity, ensuring that wages are just and forced labor is a thing of the past. It promotes sustainable farming practices, uplifts communities, and invests in vital community development projects like education and healthcare. By prioritizing fair prices for producers and enhancing working conditions, Fair Trade lays the foundation for thriving, empowered communities across the globe, creating a brighter future for all.
Expand Your Knowledge
As leaders in the Fair Trade movement, we have valuable insights and experiences to share with you!
Untours and the Untours Foundation often receive interesting gifts. Owning a global travel company and investing the profits to support...
At the end of 2019, Untours Foundation Co-CEO Elizabeth Killough delivered the commencement address for Penn State, Brandywine. This branch...
This week, the first ten Fair Trade Schools in the United States were certified. No less than three of these...
Meet Our Investees
We invest in diverse founders and companies with positive impact embedded in their business models. Sound like you? Explore the stories of our investees before applying.
Where Our Fair Trade Adventure Begins
Our Fair Trade adventures began in the late 1990s when Hal, together with several other business leaders, visited Chiapas, Mexico, to arrange the purchase of a shipping container of Fair Trade coffee. The Mexican government did not welcome outsiders coming to assist farming cooperatives, so Hal and his co-travelers were left to deal with members of the military.
Not Just Another
Coffee Purchase
On their return to Chiapas a year later, a paramilitary force abducted Hal and his travelers, dropping them off in a field far from anyone. They thought they were going to be murdered, felt lucky to be alive, but refused to be intimidated, going ahead with the purchase of more coffee.
Since that time, the UnTours Foundation has provided many loans to promote Fair Trade businesses, and also provided an early loan to Fair Trade USA, the major Fair Trade certifier in the U.S.
The First U.S. Fair Trade Town
In 2006, the foundation spearheaded Hal’s idea to make our hometown of Media, PA, the First Fair Trade Town in the U.S. That success was followed by 45 other towns and cities becoming “Fair Trade Towns,” including Boston, Chicago, LA, and San Francisco. Today, there are over 2,000 Fair Trade Towns worldwide, spanning five continents and 36 countries.
Where Our Fair Trade Adventure Begins
Our Fair Trade adventures began in the late 1990s when Hal, together with several other business leaders, visited Chiapas, Mexico, to arrange the purchase of a shipping container of Fair Trade coffee. The Mexican government did not welcome outsiders coming to assist farming cooperatives, so Hal and his co-travelers were left to deal with members of the military.
Not Just Another
Coffee Purchase
On their return to Chiapas a year later, a paramilitary force abducted Hal and his travelers, dropping them off in a field far from anyone. They thought they were going to be murdered, felt lucky to be alive, but refused to be intimidated, going ahead with the purchase of more coffee.
Since that time, the UnTours Foundation has provided many loans to promote Fair Trade businesses, and also provided an early loan to Fair Trade USA, the major Fair Trade certifier in the U.S.
The First U.S.
Fair Trade Town
In 2006, the foundation spearheaded Hal’s idea to make our hometown of Media, PA, the First Fair Trade Town in the U.S. That success was followed by 45 other towns and cities becoming “Fair Trade Towns,” including Boston, Chicago, LA, and San Francisco. Today, there are over 2,000 Fair Trade Towns worldwide, spanning five continents and 36 countries.
Why Choose Fair Trade
Builds local, healthy communities and economies in the global south.
No slaves or forced child workers involved in its production.
Farmers’ children must go to school.
Land is farmed sustainably.
Women are on equal par with men in decision-making.
Animal habitats must be rebuilt.
Most Fair Trade products are Certified Organic or passive organic.
No GMO plants may be used.
Premiums, which are bonuses paid at the end of the growing season, are often used to build schools and health clinics.
No trade or government agreements are needed. All that’s needed are conscious consumers, and it’s ready to go!
Dive Deeper
Explore these helpful links from additional sources.
Why Fair Trade Fair Trade USA
Fair Trade Certification
Process for Brands and Traders
Fair Trade USA
Fair Trade Standards Library Fair Trade USA
Fair Trade Partners Fair Trade USA
America’s First Fair Trade Town Fair Trade USA
FAQS
Everything we buy connects to someone else. Buying Fair Trade Certified items helps us make the link from the product to the people behind it. Purchasing Fair Trade Ceratified goods is a conscious choice to support ethical and responsible businesses. Products with a Fair Trade Certified label meet rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards.
Profits shouldn’t come before people and the planet. Yet, they often do. Fair Trade transforms how products are made and business is done. It focuses on safe working conditions, protecting the environment, and implementing sustainable practices—all to empower communities across the globe. Fair Trade is critical to creating a better world.
Want to certify your product? Start the process with a reputable certifier, like Fair Trade USA. For example, the simplified steps to certification through Fair Trade USA are:
- Talk to someone! Ask Fair Trade USA what it takes to start this journey.
- Build a certification plan. How will you do it? Chart your path to achieving certification.
- Start the audit process. If you meet the requirements, your product will be Fair Trade Certified!
A Fair Trade Town is a community of Fair Trade advocates! To become one, a town or city must have a committee to educate its residents about Fair Trade and raise awareness. Additionally, the city must have a range of Fair Trade products available in stores, restaurants, and other venues.
The First Fair Trade Town in the U.S. was Media, PA.
Young Mountain Tea
Empower Fair Trade entrepreneurs and support their local communities.
Empower Fair Trade entrepreneurs and support their local communities.
Young Mountain Tea
