Green living is important to me. I want to keep the earth and my own body as healthy as possible and I believe that eco-friendly choices help support those goals. In fact, I have written about Fair Trade products before. I was lucky enough to visit a Fair Trade farm in Mexico and see first hand the Fair Trade practices and farming methods. I witnessed first hand the way that the Fair Trade certification program benefits the local workers through fair wages and community projects. Well today, I want to share some delicious Fair Trade foods that taste delicious and are a choice you can feel great about. These Fair Trade sustainable snacks include Fair Trade chocolates, fruit snacks, granola bars, tea, and more.
I was provided with some Fair Trade foods by Fair Trade USA so that I could participate in their Mother’s Day “Snack Attack” Photo Contest. These Fair Trade food goodies were too good to keep to myself. I decided to blog about Fair Trade foods in addition to entering the photo contest. I received no monetary compensation and all opinions expressed are my own.
10 Fair Trade Foods You Simply Must Try:
Here are 10 Fair Trade food brands I love. Indulge your sweet tooth with these organic snacks and sustainable goodies.
Cascadian Farm (@CascadianFarm)
Cascadian Farm makes wholesome, organic food that you can feel good about feeding your whole family. In the photo, you will see one of their many products- Chocolate Soft Baked Squares made with wholesome ingredients like Fair Trade Certified dark chocolate chunks and lightly sweetened with Fair Trade Certified sugar. I like to pack these convenient snacks into lunch boxes a “dessert” that still has plenty of goodness. They are my go to Fair Trade brand for a granola bar as well.
Marich (@MarichChocolate)
Warning, these are so good that your family may find you munching them in the closet, in effort to avoid sharing. I loved every variety of Marich Chocolate- Dark Chocolate Blueberries, Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel Popcorn and Dark Chocolate Salted Caramels. Marich is a second-generation family of candy makers who are dedicated to making chocolate delectable and sustainable. Each of chocolate creations uses mouthwatering Fair Trade Certified chocolate.
Three Twins (@ThreeTwinsIceCream)
Three Twins is on a mission to craft delicious ice cream from the finest organic ingredients. With flavors like Bittersweet Chocolate, Chocolate Malt, Milk Coffee and Vanilla Bean, you’ll want to try them all. Their use of Fair Trade sugar empowers farmers to care for their families and send their children to school.
Nutiva (@Nutiva)
Nutiva O’Coconut snacks are the perfect delicious treat that you can have on hand in your purse for anytime and you don’t have to feel guilty about eating. Crafted from lightly sweetened organic coconut flakes, each Fair Trade treat contains 1.5 teaspoons of coconut oil, which provides the nutritional benefits of medium-chain triglycerides. My favorite is the O’Coconut Hemp & Chia for a nuttier taste and some extra nutrition.
Wholesome! (@WholesomeSweet)
I love the DelishFish! They are sweetened with Fair Trade Certified Organic Cane Sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. Plus they taste like raspberries because they have real natural flavors instead of artificial flavors. This is candy free of all artificial ingredients so it makes sweet time, that much sweeter.
Alter Eco (@AlterEcoSF)
These creamy mint truffles from Alter Eco sure disappear fast. I tried to keep them hidden but the kids spotted them immediately. Deep, smooth Fair Trade chocolate sourced from small farmers in Ecuador surrounds a silky- smooth mint center stirred with creamy milk, wholesome coconut oil and a mellowing touch of vanilla. It is so satisfying.
barkTHINS (@barkTHINS)
The handcrafted barkTHINS are called snacking chocolates because they come in thin slivers of Fair Trade Certified chocolate packed with natural ingredients, like coconut and almonds. You’ll want to eat a few chocolate chips with their delicious ingredients and satisfying crunch.
Honest Tea (@HonestTea)
Packed with electrolytes, Lemon Honest Sport is the perfect beverage to help kids refuel after intense activity. It’s made with Fair Trade Certified sugar and it tastes delicious without being too sweet and without the artificial ingredients.
Celestial Seasonings (@CelestialTea)
Each cup of Celestial Seasonings’ Matcha Green Organic Green Tea contains disease-fighting antioxidants and I feel great about that. Matcha has also been shown to enhance calm and increase energy levels. I love a good cup of tea.
Here are a few more Fair Trade Foods partners to look for:
- Arrowhead Mills
- Kashi Company
- Nourish Organics
- Pacific Foods of Oregon
- Spectrum
- Tera’s Whey
- Nature’s Path
You can also use this affiliate link for iHerb.com to shop almost 800 different Fair Trade products. Just type Fair Trade into the iHerb search bar to see them all come up.
It is easy to find wholesome kid-friendly snacks that taste and DO good. When you are out shopping, be sure to look for the Fair Trade Certified seal!
These would be great ideas for a fair trade gift basket too. Don’t you think?
Benefits of Buying Fair Trade Food
The fair trade movement all about providing better options for the products you already buy. Here is how you make a difference when you purchase Fair Trade foods and products:
Better Prices & Wages
Fair Trade producers earn a fair price and stable prices for their crop. They are empowered to compete in the global marketplace through direct, long-term contracts with international buyers. Often many small-scale farmers work together in cooperatives.
Community Development & Empowerment
With every sale, Fair Trade farmers and workers also earn an additional Community Development Premium that they democratically designate for community projects like healthcare and clean water.
Safe Working Conditions
Rigorous Fair Trade standards ensure that farmers and workers enjoy safe working conditions, regulated work hours, maternity leave, and freedom of association. Sexual discrimination and slave and child labor are strictly prohibited.
Environmental Sustainability
Standards require farmers to implement environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect their own health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations. Harmful agrochemicals, GMOs, and farming techniques that destroy the environment are strictly prohibited in Fair Trade. The eco-friendly standards a great way to lessen the environmental impact.
Basically, Fair Trade looks out for the workers and farmers and makes sure that everyone is treated fairly. I have seen how it improves lives and I seriously can’t put into words how much it moves me. Fair Trade is a beautiful thing.
Vote with your wallet. I purchase Fair Trade products because I think they are better products and it makes me glad to know my purchases are making a difference.
Oh, here is the photo I am entering in the Fair Trade, Mother’s Day “Snack Attack” Photo Contest:
There is a Grand Prize of a $100 Whole Foods shopping spree for the winner so wish me luck! You can vote for my photo by repinning it here. Thanks! What are your favorite Fair Trade foods?
Related Posts:
Six Fair Trade Coffee Companies You Have Got To Try!
12 Fair Trade Chocolate Companies That Make Delicious Treats