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100 Fair Trade Innovations

From Zulugrass Jewelry to Ethical Quinoa Vodka

— February 12, 2012 — Social Good
This SocialBusiness.org top list explores a bread of fair trade innovations ranging from food and fashion to flowers and record labels. Generally speaking, fair trade is a strategy used to alleviate poverty through giving small farmers, entrepreneurs and artisans a fair wage for their work.

It is a result of the realities of global capitalism, but of course, it's not without its setbacks. In the summer of 2011, the Stanford Social Innovation Review published an article called The Problem with Fair Trade Coffee, which explored how strict certification requirements can create an environment of economic inequality.

Nonetheless, these fair trade innovations showcase how much the original fair trade movement has influenced other social entrepreneurs to get out there and create business models that puts the focus on people rather than profit.
6.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
100
Fair-Trade Twittering
Fair-Trade Twittering
Ben and Jerry's Promotes the Fair Tweets Campaign
<
99
Plant Dye Practices
Plant Dye Practices
Eco-Conscious Label ‘we’ar’ Exposes the Toxicity of Production
<
98
Ethical Cocoa Gadget Helpers
Ethical Cocoa Gadget Helpers
The Divine Chocolate App Shares the Story of the Farmer-Owned Company
<
97
Fair Trade Sports Gear
Fair Trade Sports Gear
Handmade DOSTI Soccer Balls Employ Afghan Women
<
96
Beauty Product Narratives
Beauty Product Narratives
The Ethical Ocean Social Business Guest Post on the Story of Cosmetics
<
95
Coffee Connection Sites
Coffee Connection Sites
Coffee CSA Lets You Connect with and Buy from Java Farmers Worldwide
<
94
Viewer-Named Ethical Fragrances
Viewer-Named Ethical Fragrances
The Noble Rose of Afghanistan Named by History Television Audience
<
93
Eco-Certified Athletic Balls
Eco-Certified Athletic Balls
Fair Trade Sports is a North American Purpose-Driven Company
<
92
BioTrade Butterfly Businesses
BioTrade Butterfly Businesses
'Alas de Colombia' Generates Income Through Sustainable Farming
<
91
Fair Trade Bouquets
Fair Trade Bouquets
One World Flowers Imports from Ecuador and Delivers to Your Door
<
90
Smallholder Business Partners
Smallholder Business Partners
Safi Coffee Goes Beyond Fair Trade for the Good of Kenyan Farmers
<
89
Honest Chocolate
Honest Chocolate
Alter Eco Americas Sells Fair Trade Products, Connects Customers and Farmers
<
88
Fair Trade Record Labels
Fair Trade Record Labels
Kanaga System Krush Promotes Traditional West African Music
<
87
Community-Focused Palestinian Produce
Community-Focused Palestinian Produce
Zaytoun Imports Organic and Fair Trade Products
<
86
Innovative Tourism Models
Innovative Tourism Models
Aoka Offers Insightful Community-Building Trips in Brazil
<
85
Anti-Stigma Food Companies
Anti-Stigma Food Companies
The Healthy Hub Creates Jobs for People with Mental Illnesses
<
84
Cultural Clothing Tours
Cultural Clothing Tours
Verdes y Colores is the Vision of Sustainable Retail and Fashion
<
83
Hot Humanitarian Design
Hot Humanitarian Design
Unseen Products is Making Socially-Conscious Merchandise
<
82
Fair Trade Wine Pouches
Fair Trade Wine Pouches
'Palesa' Symbolizes Strength, Motherhood and Consciousness
<
81
Tactile Coffee Branding
Tactile Coffee Branding
Starbucks Braille Card for Visually Impaired Caffeine Lovers
<
80
1 for 1 Toothbrushes
1 for 1 Toothbrushes
When You Buy From Smile Squared, They Give to a Child in Need
<
79
Social Change Investments
Social Change Investments
The Ethical Property Company Provides Affordable Offices
<
78
Peace Perfumes
Peace Perfumes
The Vetiver of Haiti Fragrance by The 7 Virtues Helps Rebuild Communities
<
77
Fair Trade Universities
Fair Trade Universities
Selling Socially Conscious Goods on Campus Gains Popularity
<
76
Ethical Gastropubs
Ethical Gastropubs
The Duke of Cambridge Serves Organic and Local Foods
<
75
Organic Shade-Grown Coffee
Organic Shade-Grown Coffee
Ethical Bean Sells Fair Trade and Socially-Responsible Products
<
74
Exquisite Edible Embellishments
Exquisite Edible Embellishments
Andi's Specialty Sweets Entertain the Palate
<
73
Fair Trade Bulk Apparel
Fair Trade Bulk Apparel
Epona Clothing Supplies Ethical Tees for Charities, Schools & Businesses
<
72
Fair Trade African Soda
Fair Trade African Soda
Ubuntu Cola is a First for the United Kingdom
<
71
Fairtrade Chic Drinks
Fairtrade Chic Drinks
Lemonaid Beverages and ChariTea Look Cool, Pay Farmers Fairly
<
70
Tribal Wooden Stamps
Tribal Wooden Stamps
A Trade for a Trade Makes Incredibly Creative Designs
<
69
Ethical Lifestyle Apps
Ethical Lifestyle Apps
The Fair Trade Finder App Crowdsources Fair Trade-Certified Products
<
68
Fair Trade Vino
Fair Trade Vino
Fairhills Wines is an Empowerment Project Started in South Africa
<
67
Handcrafted Sustainable Tea
Handcrafted Sustainable Tea
Namasthe Tea Co. Creates an Ethical Balance
<
66
Herb-Infused Fashion
Herb-Infused Fashion
The A.D.O Clothing Line is Good for your Health
<
65
Cause-Driven Coffee
Cause-Driven Coffee
Pura Vida Empowers the Poor Through Create Good Foundation
<
64
Fair Trade Shea Butter
Fair Trade Shea Butter
Delapointe's Products are Made by Women in Burkina Faso
<
63
Ethical Silk Scarves
Ethical Silk Scarves
‘Cambodian Threads’ Gives School Supplies to Impoverished Kids
<
62
Female-Focused Enterprises
Female-Focused Enterprises
Women's Bean Project Creates Jobs with Jewelry & Gourmet Food
<
61
Vibrant Fair Trade Products
Vibrant Fair Trade Products
Global Mamas Helps Ghana-Based Artisan Reach New Markets
<
60
Ethical Quinoa Vodka
Ethical Quinoa Vodka
FAIR. is the World's First Fair Trade Certified Spirits Brand
<
59
Fair Trade Cocoa
Fair Trade Cocoa
Divine Chocolate is a Social Business Partly Owned by Its Farmers
<
58
Luxury Ethical Cosmetics
Luxury Ethical Cosmetics
Bubble & Balm Creates Locally-Manufactured Fair Trade Products
<
57
Sustainable Stylized Tees
Sustainable Stylized Tees
Sutsu Clothing Offers Environmentally Aware and Fair Trade Products
<
56
Fair Trade Dried Goods
Fair Trade Dried Goods
Tropical Wholefoods Works with Farmers from All Over the World
<
55
Social Sri Lankan Seasonings
Social Sri Lankan Seasonings
The Spicy Gourmet Supports Small Farmers Through Fair Trade
<
54
Female-Owned Design Studios
Female-Owned Design Studios
'Creative Women' Supports Economic Independence in the Majority World
<
53
Kenyan Art Clinics
Kenyan Art Clinics
The Bombolulu Workshops & Cultural Centre Empowers Artisans of All Abilities
<
52
Fresh Vegan Food Trucks
Fresh Vegan Food Trucks
Cinnamon Snail Offers New Yorkers Tasty Organic Fare
<
51
Smallholder Coffee Farmers
Smallholder Coffee Farmers
Cafedirect Builds Communities Through Social Business
<
50
Fair Trade Beverages
Fair Trade Beverages
LemonAid is a Chic Social Business with a Conscience
<
49
Campy Coffee Brands
Campy Coffee Brands
Gay Coffee Raises Awareness with Same-Sex Supportive Brews
<
48
Bamboo Baby Toys
Bamboo Baby Toys
These ‘Yellow Label Kids' Bird Rattles are Both Colorful and Organic
<
47
Conscious E-Commerce
Conscious E-Commerce
Ethical Ocean is an Online Marketplace for Eco, Organic & Fair Trade Products
<
46
Scented Afghan Oils
Scented Afghan Oils
The 7 Virtues Offers Organic Fragrances Harvested from Legal Crops
<
45
Fair Trade Bobbles
Fair Trade Bobbles
The Andean Jewelry Fall 2010 Collection Combines Metallic and Fabric
<
44
Social Good Shopping Sites
Social Good Shopping Sites
'Histoire' Boutique is an Online Store Devoted to Creating a Just World
<
43
Co-Op Cacoa
Co-Op Cacoa
Kallari Chocolate Bars Support 850 Families and the Rainforest
<
42
Sci-Fi Morning Brews
Sci-Fi Morning Brews
Star Wars Darth Vader Dark Side Coffee is for Those Who like a Dark Roast
<
41
Rainforest Energy Drinks
Rainforest Energy Drinks
Guayaki Yerba Mate Has a Unique Social Business Model
<
40
Composting Candy Wrappers
Composting Candy Wrappers
Sweet Packaging Innovations That are Good for Mother Earth
<
39
Vegan Lip Balm
Vegan Lip Balm
Hurraw! Balm Proves Green Beauty Isn't Only Skin-Deep
<
38
Edgy Fashion Co-Ops
Edgy Fashion Co-Ops
Fair Trade 'Of Rags' Combines NYC Style with Ghanaian Fashion
<
37
Inspirational Apparel
Inspirational Apparel
'Tees for Change' Spreads Positivity Through Their Designs
<
36
Cow-Print Cushions
Cow-Print Cushions
Deep Dark Africa Creates Simple Fair Trade Home Design
<
35
Chic Fair Trade Clothing
Chic Fair Trade Clothing
Amana Provides Training and Jobs for Women in Morocco
<
34
Fair Trade Tees
Fair Trade Tees
African Apparel Founders are on a Mission to Rebuild a Continent
<
33
Humanitarian Fashion Lines
Humanitarian Fashion Lines
David Peck Takes Inspiration from and Gives Back to Ugandan Villagers
<
32
Simple Stained Packaging
Simple Stained Packaging
The Eos Coffee Branding Has an Unusual Way to Convey Strength Level
<
31
Socially Sustainable Fashion
Socially Sustainable Fashion
'All of Us Revolution' Encourages Women to Rethink Consumption
<
30
Hip Handwoven Attire
Hip Handwoven Attire
Bhalo Employs Rural Bangladeshi Women to Produce Fair Trade Fashion
<
29
Worker-Focused Shoe Companies
Worker-Focused Shoe Companies
'soleRebels' was Founded to Create Jobs in Ethiopian Communities
<
28
Social Cause Beverages
Social Cause Beverages
LemonAid and ChariTea Drinks are Deliciously Charitable
<
27
Flirty Green Fashion
Flirty Green Fashion
Chi-Town's 2nd Annual Vert Couture Eco-Fashion Show (SPONSORED)
<
26
Microloan-Giving Tees
Microloan-Giving Tees
The Naked Hippie Invests in Small-Scale Entrepreneurs in the Majority World
<
25
Human-Oriented Handicrafts
Human-Oriented Handicrafts
Tekoha Promotes Sustainable Development for Brazilian Artisans
<
24
Fair Trade Lifestyle Brands
Fair Trade Lifestyle Brands
People Tree is a Stylish Social Business Spearhead
<
23
Profit-Sharing Cafes
Profit-Sharing Cafes
Kinfolk is an Australian Social Business with Four Development Projects
<
22
Fair Trade Peruvian Handcrafts
Fair Trade Peruvian Handcrafts
Sanyork Promotes Artisans in a Poor Community of Lima
<
21
Ethical Web Boutiques
Ethical Web Boutiques
'Future:Standard' Offers Environmentally and Socially Responsible Clothing
<
20
Responsible Bedroom Slippers
Responsible Bedroom Slippers
The Chilote House Shoe is Eco and Ethically Principled
<
19
Dark Otherworldly Fashion
Dark Otherworldly Fashion
The Barbara i Gongini AW11 Collection is Luxuriously Looming
<
18
Online Ethical Retailers
Online Ethical Retailers
SERRV Alleviates Poverty by Supporting Artisans from Around the World
<
17
Badass Bean Roasts
Badass Bean Roasts
Kicking Horse Coffee is a Trailblazer of the Canadian Fair Trade Movement
<
16
Peace Pillows
Peace Pillows
Oimei Co. is a Fair Trade Business Re-Investing Profits in Peacebuilding Initiatives
<
15
Ethical Shopping Sites
Ethical Shopping Sites
Magnifeco is an Eco-Fashion Source Featuring All Things Socially Good
<
14
Socially Conscious Packaging
Socially Conscious Packaging
Level Ground Trading Re-Sealable Bags Take You Back to the Fields
<
13
Social Sports Accessories
Social Sports Accessories
Rainbow Collection World Cup Orange Bracelets are About Fair Trade
<
12
Fair Trade Underwear
Fair Trade Underwear
Pants to Poverty is a Hip Social Enterprise That Raises “Underwearness"
<
11
Ethical Tribal Print Fashion
Ethical Tribal Print Fashion
The Nicole Miller Indego Africa Collection Focuses on Fair Trade
<
10
Upcycled Fair Trade Fashion
Upcycled Fair Trade Fashion
Liz Alig Links Consumers & Producers to Support Ethical Practices
<
9
Zulugrass Jewelry
Zulugrass Jewelry
The Leakey Collection Employs Women in the The Rift Valley, Kenya
<
8
Earthy Ethical Fashion
Earthy Ethical Fashion
Emma Watson Launches Green-Chic Clothing Line With People Tree
<
7
Altruistic Online Marketplaces
Altruistic Online Marketplaces
'Shop With Meaning' Sells Socially-Responsible Items with a Story
<
6
Fair Trade Ugandan Goods
Fair Trade Ugandan Goods
One Mango Tree's Clothing and Accessories Have a Beautiful Story
<
5
Illustrated Infusion Sleeves
Illustrated Infusion Sleeves
Mood Garden Tea Packaging Blossoms with Thoughtful Details
<
4
Fair-Trade Celeb Fashion
Fair-Trade Celeb Fashion
The Emma Watson 2011 People Tree Collection is Clothing With a Conscience
<
3
Disabled Artisan Jewelry Collections
Disabled Artisan Jewelry Collections
The People Tree Wheelchair Campaign with Bombolulu
<
2
Colorful Cutout Candy Branding
Colorful Cutout Candy Branding
Cacao Monkey Packaging is Delectably Designed
<
1
Recycled Magazine Vases
Recycled Magazine Vases
Filipinas Fair Trade Venture Group Makes Eco-Friendly Handcrafts
<