Exploring the implications of the Fair Trade USA certification for farmworker health and well-being at the first certified farm in the U.S.

Abstract

Decades of interdisciplinary research suggest that fair trade certification may have significant implica­tions for the development of more equitable and sustainable agricultural practices. The certification was originally established to support smallholder farming cooperatives in developing countries. However, a recent organizational division separat­ing Fairtrade International from Fair Trade USA has created a bifurcation in certification standards.[1] Under the new Fair Trade USA program, the first domestic certification standard for U.S.-based farms is now being implemented. The aim of this study is to understand the impact of the new certi­fication on farm operations and farmworker well­-being at the first U.S. fair trade-certified farm, from the perspectives of farmworkers, farm man­agement, and supply chain representatives. The initial findings from this limited exploratory study indicate that the certification can be used as a tool to improve farmworker empowerment while also providing mate­rial benefits and resources. More research is needed to determine the long-term impact and feasibility of more widespread impelementation.

¹ For the purpose of this paper, fair trade is used to refer generally to the concept, whereas in the case of specific organizations and/or their certifications, other spelling is used. For example, Fair Trade USA and Fair Trade Certification, versus Fairtrade International and Fairtrade Certification.