Fair trade products are intended to support fair wages and work conditions in developing countries. But, it hasn't always so easy to find them.
According to TransFair Canada, the number of fair trade products sold in Canada jumped by more than 560 per cent between 2000 and 2005.
Now, more and more major labels and mainstream stores are offering options. But how do you know what you're buying is really fair trade?
Russell Lowen buys fair trade products and has found it difficult.
"When I started four years ago it felt like a big burden because there was a lot of confusion about what was fair trade and what wasn't," he says.
Now, at least 27,000 fair trade products are offered on store shelves around the world, including in Canada. To make sure you're really buying fair trade, experts say there are a few things you should look for.
"The first thing you can do is look for the certification symbol for fair trade, and there are two symbols," says Zack Gross, a coordinator for Fair Trade Manitoba.
Fair Trade Manitoba says certain symbols are signs products have met strict criteria and standards.
"There are pages and pages of regulations for a community to be certified fair trade," says Gross. "People would go and see are women being treated equally? Is the community being run democratically?"
On average, fair trade products can cost 10 per cent more than conventional products. But, with more items now available, including flowers, the prices can be comparable.
Teresa Sanderson, owner of the Friendly Florist and Fair Trade Emporium, says her fair trade flowers aren't more expensive than other flowers.
"Our prices are about the same as about any other flower shop out there," she says.
Fair Trade Manitoba is encouraging consumers to take a one-month challenge to buy only fair trade products.
"The more people that buy them, the cheaper they'll get because it's easier to get," says coordinator Colleen Hrabi.
For a list of retailers who sell fair trade products, you can visit Fair Trade Manitoba's website at http://www.fairtrademanitoba.ca/.
