What is Fair Trade Chai Tea?

The Fair Trade Movement is an organized social movement that seeks fair pricing and sustainability for producers and workers in economically less-advantaged areas. The goal is to help them move from a position of vulnerability to self-sufficiency - to become stakeholders in their own organizations, to improve working conditions, as well as to sustain their community's natural resources. It focuses in particular on exports from developing country such as coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, fruit, flowers, and more.

Many religious and environmental groups are fair trade proponents, including Oxfam, Amnesty International, Catholic Relief Services, and Caritas International. For more detail on fair trade generally, see Wikipedia page: Fair Trade Movement.

Why Should I Care about Fair Trade Certified Chai Tea?

Fair Trade Certification has the goal of guaranteeing not only fair prices, but also the principles of ethical purchasing. These include banning of child and slave labor, guaranteeing a safe workplace, adherence to human rights, a fair price that covers the cost of production and facilitates social development, and conservation of the environment. The fair trade system also promotes long-term business relationships between buyers and sellers and facilitates greater transparency throughout the supply chain.

How do I know if a Chai Tea product is Fair Trade Certified?

In the US and Canada, Transfair USA monitors importers and manufacturers for compliance with fair trade standards and provides licenses to utilize the Fair Trade Certified symbol below. Look for it on US and Canadian products to determine whether they are fair trade certified.