Why We Sell Organic Fair Trade Tea

When you purchase LeafSpa products with the Fair Trade Certified label , we are working together toward a better world and a better tomorrow. LeafSpa is dedicated to helping the farmers and farm workers of developing countries become successful in the global market. Our selection of Fair Trade teas guarantees you our commitment as a global-conscious company and ensures you will receive the best teas from around the world.

Click here to view our organic fair trade teas

What is Fair trade?

Fair Trade certification is an international trade model that helps over one million farmers and farm workers in 58 developing countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. When consumers see the label for Fair Trade Certified products, they can be assured their dollars are going to work for better standards for global workers. Fair Trade Certified™ tea and herbs offer consumers an opportunity to enjoy a quality product that directly benefits the lives of producers and their families in developing countries worldwide.

Click here to view our Fair Trade Certified licensee agreement

What Are the Principles of Fair Trade?

• Fair price: Democratically organized farmer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price and an additional premium for certified organic products. Farmer organizations are also eligible for pre-harvest credit.
• Fair labor conditions: Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited.
• Direct trade: With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.
• Democratic and transparent organizations: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers decide democratically how to invest Fair Trade revenues.
• Community development: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement trainings, and organic certification.
• Environmental sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers' health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations. (www.TransFairUSA.org )

There are over 70 tea estates and small-scale producer groups in 11 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America. For every kilo of Fair Trade Certified product purchased, the U.S. importer is responsible for sending the Fair Trade premium to an elected association of workers and management, called a Joint Body, at each tea estate.

The Joint Body allocates the premium to areas of greatest need, which is determined democratically and used for projects that benefit the entire community. In the case of small-scale producer groups, this elected body is comprised of fellow farmers. Fair Trade premiums have financed new computer learning centers, educational endowments, and healthcare programs that include nutrition, family planning, special medical needs, clean drinking water, and toilets for every household.

Which Products Are Fair Trade Certified?

Fair Trade Certification is currently available in the U.S. for coffee, tea and herbs, cocoa and chocolate, fresh fruit, sugar, rice, and vanilla. The Fair Trade Certified Tea and Herb Program includes products derived from the Tea plant of the Camellia family (Camellia sinensis and/or Camellia assamica), Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), and plants in the Mint genus (Mentha), including Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata).

Why Aren’t All Your Teas Fair Trade Certified?

Not all teas qualify. The Fair Trade principles work with impoverished or underdeveloped locations and some of our imports are not grown in those developing areas. We are constantly trying to purchase only Fair Trade products and can assure you that if a particular tea is available in a Fair Trade Certified format, we will sell it. And, if a tea is not available as a Fair Trade Certified tea yet, we are working with the growers to try to get it certified.

Are the Fair Trade Products Organic?

Although all of the Fair Trade teas sold on LeafSpa are organic, in the wider market, not all of them are. Because one of the six key principles of Fair Trade is environmental sustainability, many of the farms maintain that high level of quality through organic means. Fair Trade guidelines do not require organic products, however, and does not guarantee that a product is organically grown. The USDA Organic symbol will verify if a product has been certified as organic. As you know, all of the Fair Trade products available at LeafSpa are also certified organic.

How Do I Know Who is a Fair Trade Licensee?

Many companies claim that they are a Fair Trade licensee but actually aren't. Buyer beware. We certainly hope you'll decide to purchase our Fair Trade Certified products, but, even if you don't, please make sure that you are at least purchasing from an actual Fair Trade licensee. All licensees should be willing to provide you with their certification letter, like ours.

TransFair USA, a non-profit organization, is the only independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the U.S. and one of 20 members of Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO). TransFair’s rigorous audit system, which tracks products from farm to finished product, verifies industry compliance with Fair Trade criteria.

Many companies claim that they are a Fair Trade licensee but actually aren't! We certainly hope you'll decide to purchase our Fair Trade Certfied products, but, even if you don't, please make sure that you are at least purchasing from an actual Fair Trade licensee. All licensees should be willing to provide you with a certfication letter like ours which you can view by clicking here.