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Fair trade vs local (Discussion)
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hcraig said – Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:32:17 -0000 ( Link )
While I think both are important, I find buying local has more of an impact on my life. When I buy local I can see the difference my purchases are making and it encourages me to keep buying locally.
Also, buying locally comes with the added advantage of developing relationships with your local producers and the increased likelihood that they’ll do you favours (like saving you the minced pie, or allowing you to pay later when you’re short on chash)
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Carsten said – Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:50:10 -0000 ( Link )
I definitely prefer to purchase local products since I’d like to think it impacts the environment less and local products are usually fresher and tastier.
I’m always on the look-out for local organic unless it’s something that does not grow in North America, such as cacao or (to my knowledge) coffee, I always make sure its USDA Organic or Canada Organic certified and free trade.
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Enkerli said – Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:39:04 -0000 ( Link )
With coffee especially, Fair Trade has become more of a hindrance than a tool for equitable dealings between people involved (farmer/producer, importer, roaster, café owner, consumer). I give much more importance to direct relationship coffee (direct from the producer to the roaster) or Cup of Excellence (an auction which rewards some of the best coffees in the world). The original concept of Fair Trade was interesting. But it became more of a gimmick than a grassroots movement.
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