A memorandum of understanding between NCBA CLUSA and Fairtrade America aligns both organizations to further advance long-term, sustainable and equitable business alliances between cooperatives.
Under the MOU, NCBA CLUSA will identify and create opportunities for Fairtrade America to promote their work and educate U.S. consumers on the value of a responsible food supply chain. Fairtrade America will work to link cooperative producers with international markets. Both organizations will share producer contact information, knowledge and tools, and collaborate on key promotional and educational activities.
According to the document, the agreement initially applies to the “global activities” of both organizations, with a “particular focus” on Latin America and the U.S. The MOU is valid through December 2019.
To celebrate the MOU, Fairtrade America is offering each NCBA CLUSA member a free resource pack to help observe World Fair Trade Day on May 9. Materials include posters, bookmarks, buttons and stickers that raise awareness of fair trade objectives and outcomes. Click here to request your free pack, which will be mailed in April.
As the U.S. arm of Fairtrade International, Fairtrade America encourages companies to obtain the right to use the Fairtrade Mark on their products by sourcing ethically from certified farms, joining the ranks of more than 27,000 other products in 120 countries. Purchasing products that bear the Fairtrade Mark meets the social, economic and environmental standards set by Fairtrade International and helps support smallholder farmers and workers worldwide.
Fairtrade International aims to promote the certification of ethical standards among smallholder producer groups, cooperatives and partners along the entire supply chain, through a people-first approach to trade. Fairtrade America aims to enable producers to link to regional and international markets, empower producers to achieve a fair wage and educate consumers on the Fairtrade model.
Founded in 1916, NCBA CLUSA is the oldest not-for-profit cooperative development and trade association in the U.S. NCBA CLUSA’s international program, currently active in 17 countries, is a dynamic organization with a mission to alleviate poverty through cooperative development and economic empowerment.