Fairtrade and local products
More and more attention is paid globally to the origin of products and how they are produced. The term fairtrade means that producers receive a fair price for the product and that fair wages are paid to its employees. As such, fair trade is a sustainable form of trade because fair wages give the local population a real chance for improving their lives.
With the extra income schools can be built, wells constructed, sanitary facilities made and much more. For these communities, fair trade products has proven to be the difference between survival and development. Fair trade products usually come from far away, but there is also an increasing interest in locally produced products.
An organisation does not need to make any major changes, and often some simple adjustments to its purchasing policy will do in order to make such an important contribution to sustainability (3), as well as score well on customer and employee satisfaction. 2 and 1 respectively.