Show All » » General
Thursday, April 22, 2010Honoring the Earth-Bridging the Gap between organic and fair trade
Fair Trade has many guiding principles including supporting a sustainable environment. When we began our business we were certain that we wanted to work in the most natural fibers with vegetable dyed fabrics. Our first line included hand block printed fabrics, all in vegetable dyes. In understanding the extent of the dirty cotton industry though travel in India and through research, we were also dedicated to converting more of our line to organic cotton. We found our match for organic cotton when we found an association of over 5000 organic cotton farmers to source our cotton and fabric. Our partnership developed and since we have been using their organic cotton for our yoga and everyday lines.
A few facts about the dirty cotton industry:
-Conventional cotton farmers have high input costs and face the volatile cotton market where prices fluctuate and often do not meet their production costs. This forces farmers into spiraling debt and suicide is common.
-Use of chemicals and pesticides is dangerous to farmers, their families, and livestock. Direct exposure to the fumes of these chemicals in the high temperatures of summer can lead to death. Use of the harmful pesticides can cause breathing difficulties, circulatory issues, and cancer. The chemicals also seep into the water tables making the drinking water unsafe and destroy the natural fertile land.
The fair trade and organic solution:
-With organic farming the farmers use their own inputs by seed saving, using rain water for the crops and composting to provide natural fertilizer
-Farmers regain their dignity through fair trading conditions where consistent orders are made under fair prices. Farmers also have access to the fair trade premium which is given as an additional sum beyond the fair trade wage which farmers can use to put towards community projects. With the fair trade premium farmers have chosen to build new roads, start new enterprises such as vermi-composting and support their children's education.
More stories from the farmers and women's co-op we work with can be found in our new documentary: "Bridging the Gap between Organic and Fair Trade" which will be released for World Fair Trade Day on May 8th!
