How is fair trade defined?

Fair trade labeling organizations generally use the definition developed by FINE, an association of four international fair trade networks including Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International, World Fair Trade Organization, the Network of European Worldshops, and the European Fair Trade Association.

FINE defines fair trade as “a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers. Fair trade organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising, and campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.”

How does fair trade work?

According to Green America, a base price is set for Fair Trade Certified^™ products by the international Fair Trade Labeling Organization that aims to cover the cost of production and a living wage for food, shelter, clothing, education, and medical care. Importers and retailers are then screened and certified by TransFair USA to ensure that they pay the Fair Trade price for products. The cooperative receives a set amount of money for each Fair Trade product─called the social premium─which is invested in community development projects democratically chosen by the cooperative.

How does fair trade help the environment?

A characteristic of fair trade farmers and artisans is respect for their natural habitat and sustainable production methods, such as integrated crop management and avoiding toxic agrochemicals for pest management. In fact, nearly 85% of Fair Trade Certified^™ coffee is organic. Many fair trade members work directly with producers to develop products based on the sustainable use of their natural resources. This motivates communities to preserve and maintain their environment.

In the last decade, due to greater consumer awareness, fair trade sales have increased tremendously, sparking the expansion of Fair Trade Certified^™ products. Along with coffee, these include chocolate, sugar, spices, wine, fruit, clothing and accessories, home décor, body care, toys, games, and more.

The Fair Trade Certified label helps you make choices with the confidence that your product is socially just and environmentally sustainable. Stay tuned for more information on fair trade, and how you can benefit from supporting this system with your consumer dollar.

While health-conscious individuals might purchase organic food to reduce their exposure to harmful pesticides and other chemicals, they don’t always consider personal care products. Yet, the same principle applies, since your skin absorbs up to 64% of what you put on it.

You know about the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) “Dirty Dozen” list for fruits and vegetables, right? Well, Ann Louise Gittleman, author of The Living Beauty Detox Program: The Revolutionary Diet for Each and Every Season of a Woman’s Life, created a separate “Dirty Dozen” list for beauty product ingredients, which includes:

• Methyl/propyl/butyl/ethyl parabens
• Imidazolindyl urea
• Diazolindyl urea
• Petrolatum
• Propylene glycol
• PVP/V copolymer
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Stearalkonium chloride
• Synthetic colors
• Synthetic fragrances
• Phthalates
• Triethanolamine

Contrary to popular belief, the U.S. government doesn’t regulate cosmetics for safety, long-term health impact, or environmental damage. Many common cosmetics ingredients─such as those listed above─may be harmful to both people and the environment.

One way to minimize your exposure to toxic ingredients in personal care products is to target USDA certified organic items. If a personal care product meets the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) production, handling, processing and labeling standards, it may be eligible for certification under the NOP regulations.

Many─though not all─USDA certified organic personal care items exclude potentially harmful chemicals, helping to ensure a reasonable degree of safety. And it’s a safeguard we need, given that marketing can be deceptive. Words like “herbal” and “natural” on beauty products have no legal definition, and many items with questionable ingredients feature these terms on their labels.

The Organic Consumers Association’s Coming Clean Campaign has been working to stop this type of fraudulent marketing since 2004. The goal of Coming Clean is make sure that personal care products that claim to be organic are, in fact, certified to USDA organic standards. Meanwhile, perhaps the best resource to help you find safe options is the EWG “Skin Deep” database. This on-line safety guide for cosmetics and personal care products was launched in 2004 to help people find safer, less toxic alternatives─whether or not they’re certified organic.

Skin Deep combines product ingredient lists with information in more than 50 standard toxicity and regulatory databases. This comprehensive resource provides easy-to-navigate safety ratings for literally tens of thousands of personal care products.

The thought of revamping your entire beauty regimen can be daunting─especially if you’ve invested in costly products. And you certainly don’t have to. But the more informed you get, the more you can access the safest, healthiest options in future. Now, that’s a beautiful concept.

Do you have an organic household? This might be defined as a home that goes beyond organic foods to include other non-toxic, organic, and/or green alternatives. These 3 keys to creating a healthier, safer living space are easy, don’t cost much, and can really make a difference:

Go BPA-free

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used to make a clear, polycarbonate plastic for products like eyeglass lenses, DVDs, baby bottles, and interior lining for canned goods. BPA has been linked to various health problems, including breast and prostate cancer, obesity, and ADHD. How can you reduce your family’s BPA exposure? Scaling back on canned foods is a major step, as BPA can leach from can liners into the food itself. This link highlights 7 companies that package their foods in BPA-free cans: 7 Companies You can Trust to Use BPA free Cans.

Clean “green”

While we all want a pristine home, many cleaning products contain potentially toxic chemicals. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air levels of many pollutants may be 2-5 times─and occasionally, more than 200 times─higher than outdoor levels, with cleaning products as major culprits. Fortunately, many companies now offer non-toxic products to clean dishes, countertops, floors, bathrooms, laundry, and more. Here’s a useful guide to affordable, chemical-free cleaning supplies: Buy Green: Cleaning Supplies.

Reduce indoor air pollution

Did you know that microbial pollutants like mold, pet dander and plant pollen can combine with chemicals like radon and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to pollute your home environment? Other offenders are formaldehyde and chemicals used in common home furnishings, including dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and polybrominated biphenyl (PBB). While you can’t replace everything, you can minimize your exposure by keeping windows open part of every day─even in the winter.

Like organic eating, “green living” represents numerous changes that are often easier to tackle in baby steps. Are we not all entitled to healthy, safe homes? Let’s start where we can, and progress from there.

For example:

Invest where it matters most

By now you may be familiar with the “Dirty Dozen,” a list created by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) targeting produce with the highest levels of pesticide residues. These include: apples, celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, nectarines (imported), grapes (imported), red bell peppers, potatoes, blueberries (domestic), lettuce, and kale/collard greens. It’s been estimated that by going organic with these 12 items, you can reduce your pesticide exposure by up to 80%.

Save where it makes sense

Along with the Dirty Dozen, the EWG also categorized produce items with the least amount of chemical pesticide contamination. This “Clean Fifteen” consists of: onions, corn, pineapple, avocado, asparagus, peas, mango, eggplant, cantaloupe (domestic), kiwi, cabbage, watermelon, sweet potatoes, grapefruit, and mushrooms. You may be glad to know that in addition, cucumbers, tomatoes, bananas, broccoli, and winter squash rank among the least contaminated options.

Seek sales & use coupons

A very smart way to save on organic foods is simply to zero in on sale items first, even if they weren’t on your list. Great chance to expand your horizons! Also, organic produce in season will nearly always cost less than out-of-season/specialty versions. Check your market’s weekly circular/newsletter for bargains, and maximize online coupon web sites. And definitely sign up for newsletters that will send you coupons/promotions on organic food.

Target bulk items

Buying organic items in bulk is a brilliant savings strategy and “greener” too. Many web sites offer inexpensive bulk organic items. For everything from beans and legumes, to whole grains and cereal, to nuts and seeds, flour, coffee, and more, visit: Shop Organic. Another great resource is: Bulk Nuts 4 You which offers 2000 discounted organic foods online including pasta, nuts, fruit, beans, flour, and more. For herbs, spices, seasonings, teas, and personal care items, check out: Frontier Natural Products Co-op.

Like much of life, healthy, organic eating is a journey, and it needs to fit your budget. Ideally, these tips will help you gain greater access to cleaner, safer food. You and your family deserve it!

Children tend to consume more fruits, vegetables and juices than adults do relative to their body weight. Yet, the majority of tests conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set acceptable risk levels for pesticide residues were done on adult males, not children. Studies suggest that many kids are over-exposed to these toxins even if their exposure is within “legal limits.”

Provides a margin of safety

Did you know that more than a million children between ages 1 and 5 ingest at least 15 pesticides daily from produce alone? Over 600,000 of these children consume doses of organophosphate insecticides considered unsafe by the federal government, and over 60,000 eat doses that exceed “benchmark levels” by 10 times or more.¹

Improves typical “kids food”

According to the Consumers Union,² pesticide residues in many kid-friendly foods often exceed safe levels─including fruits, vegetables, juices, and wheat or corn based foods such as pasta, cereal, popcorn and chips. Kids also favor many of the “Dirty Dozen” foods which contain especially high pesticide levels: apples, bell peppers, berries, celery, cherries, grapes (imported), lettuce, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, spinach, and strawberries.

Ensures safer dairy products

Though dairy alternatives like almond, rice and soy milk offer many health benefits, dairy foods are still a diet staple for many American children. Organic dairy products are safer for kids as they exclude recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH or rBST), antibiotics, and other chemicals routinely administered to conventional dairy animals.

Minimizes GMOs in daily fare

Corn, rice and soy foods─core diet items for kids of all ages─are also likely to be genetically modified, while certified organic versions are GMO-free. A growing body of evidence suggests that GMOs may pose threats to our wellness, as well as endangering our bio-diversity and natural ecosystems.

If buying organic isn’t always an option, a great alternative is to target conventional items that contain the least amount of pesticides. According to the Environmental Working Group, these include asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, kiwi, mangos, onions, papaya, pineapples, and peas.

Happy, healthy eating!

References
¹http://www.ewg.org/report/overexposed-organophosphate-insecticides-childrens-food
² “Update: Pesticides in Children’s Foods,” Consumers Union of United States Inc., May 2000.

• The price of organic foods reflects the production costs involved. Clearly, more labor and management are required when farmers don’t use chemicals to manage weeds and pests.
• Unlike conventional growers, organic farmers do not use sewage sludge or chemical fertilizers, which are both cheap to buy and transport. Instead, they fertilize their land with compost and animal manure, which is bulkier and more expensive to ship.
• While conventional farmers utilize every last acre to grow the crops that obtain the highest prices, organic farmers emphasize crop rotation to keep soil healthy. Rather than planting a cash crop on every acre annually, they rotate fields and plant “cover crops” that improve the soil’s nutrients for the long term.
• By rotating crops, organic farmers are not able to grow their highest value items on a regular basis, which is significantly less profitable than the conventional system, according to Catherine Greene, an agricultural economist at the USDA.
• According to George Siemon─CEO of the Organic Valley co-op─organic feed for cattle and other livestock can cost twice as much as conventional feed. For example, organic cattle feed can cost from $350 to $400 a ton versus $220 or less for a ton of conventional feed.
• Organic growers have the added expense of compliance with organic certification standards and government programs that don’t subsidize organic farming. In fact, they face stricter government regulations than conventional suppliers─which means higher administrative costs─throughout the entire production cycle.
• Behind cheaper conventional food prices are greater, hidden costs, such as a higher incidence of some cancers due to potentially carcinogenic chemicals, as well as other diseases in farm workers and their children─not to mention the contamination of our precious, dwindling fresh water supplies.
• Organic livestock and poultry are not treated with unnecessary antibiotics, hormones, or medications and livestock diseases/parasites are managed primarily through preventative measures like rotational grazing, healthy diet, sanitary housing, and stress reduction. While this approach is costlier, it’s more humane and healthier for all concerned.
• Currently, the demand for organic food is greater than the supply. While this may affect prices in the short term, organic foods will be increasingly affordable over time.

Choosing organic benefits not only you and your family, but also animals, farm workers, and the environment at large. All that may well be worth a few extra cents on the dollar.

As it relates to genetically modified organisms (GMOs), you can rest assured that items labeled 100% organic with the USDA organic seal are completely GMO-free by government regulations. On the other hand, foods that are labeled “Made with Organic Ingredients” or simply “Organic” are not as tightly regulated─and may contain GMOs. To be sure your food is GMO-free, buy USDA certified 100% organic food.

Why should you avoid GMO’s? As you may know, GMOs are organisms created through the gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology. This relatively new science allows DNA from one species to be injected into another species in a laboratory, creating combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that would never occur in nature, or through traditional crossbreeding methods.

According to the Non-GMO Project, the safety of GMOs is questionable at best. In 30 other countries around the world─including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union─there are significant restrictions, as well as outright bans, on the production of GMOs, because they are not considered proven safe.

In the U.S. on the other hand, FDA-approved commercial production of GMOs is based primarily on studies conducted by the companies who created them and profit from their sale. Many Americans find the lack of rigorous, independent, scientific examination on the impact of consuming GMOs to be cause for concern.

A 2008 CBS News Poll found that 87% of consumers wanted GMOs labeled, and, according to a more recent CBS/New York Times poll, 53% of consumers said they would not buy food that has been genetically modified. According to the USDA, in 2009, 93% of soy, 93% of cotton, 86% of corn, and over 90% of canola grown in the U.S. were GMO.

In fact, GMOs are now present in more than 80% of packaged products in the average American grocery store! Fortunately, along with the USDA organic seal, the Non-GMO Project’s seal allows health-conscious families to make an informed choice when it comes to GMOs.

While we may not settle the safety question immediately, why take chances? You can avoid a host of potential problems by simply zeroing in on that USDA organic seal─which excludes foods treated with radiation to extend shelf life, GMO’s, potentially dangerous pesticides, herbicides, and more. In supporting the greater organic/Non-GMO movement, we’ll all benefit over time.

As you may know, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established an organic certification program strictly regulating how these foods are grown, handled and processed. Any farmer or food manufacturer who labels and sells a product as organic must meet these government standards to be USDA certified. Only producers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic foods are exempt from this certification.

Organic farmers are required to adhere to specific soil and water conservation methods, as well as rules concerning the humane treatment of animals. And very importantly, USDA certified organic foods are produced without antibiotics, hormones, synthetic pesticides, irradiation, or bioengineering─regardless of whether they’re produced in the United States or imported.

While small farmers with less than $5,000/year in organic sales are exempt from the certification process, they must nonetheless be accurate in their label claims, complying with the new government standards. The USDA is using private and state agencies to inspect and certify companies marketing organic foods to ensure all standards are met. Any individual or company that sells or labels a product as organic when it clearly fails to meet USDA standards can be fined up to $10,000 for each violation.

The timing on all this is ideal, given that the organic market is growing to the tune of billions annually. The new regulations are expected to empower the organic industry as consumers become more confident in the labeling─especially as larger corporations enter the organic foods market. To further clarify, if a food bears a USDA Organic label, it means that it is produced and processed according to the USDA standards, with at least 95% of the ingredients being organically produced.

Products that are completely organic—such as fruits, vegetables, eggs or other single-ingredient foods—are labeled 100% organic, and can feature the USDA seal. Foods with multiple ingredients, like breakfast cereals, can use the USDA organic seal—or the following wording on their package labels—depending on the ratio of organic ingredients. For example:

Foods containing less than 70% organic ingredients can use neither the organic seal nor the word “organic” on their product label. They can, however, refer to organic items in their ingredient list. As for products labeled “all-natural,” “free-range” or “hormone-free,” take them on their own merits, but they should not be assumed to be organic. Again, only those foods that are grown and processed according to USDA organic standards can be labeled organic.

This should help set the record straight, and give health/environmentally-conscious families a greater impetus to make organic foods a major priority for 2012—and beyond!

Currently, 70% of the U.S. population buys organic food on occasion─with nearly 25% investing on a weekly basis, according to the Hartman Group. Organic items are generally perceived as safer, healthier, and better for the environment. Here are some powerful reasons to make organically grown foods a priority in the New Year:

Reduce your chemical exposure

Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered prior to being linked to cancer and other health problems. According to the Environmental Working Group─creators of the “Dirty Dozen” list─you can reduce your pesticide exposure by 80% by choosing organic versions of apples, peaches, pears, imported grapes, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, bell peppers, celery, kale, lettuce, and carrots.

Protect your children

Due to their smaller body size, children are more vulnerable to dangerous toxins than adults. And, based on the foods they’re most likely to eat, they may be exposed to four times as many cancer causing pesticides as adults. Many families make organic foods a priority for their kids now, rather than waiting for long term studies to indicate they should.

Guard our water and soil

Organic agriculture is one way to prevent dangerous chemicals from continuing to infiltrate our air, earth and rapidly diminishing fresh water supplies. Organic agricultural also supports a healthy ecosystem, helping wildlife by including forage crops in rotation, and by retaining fence rows, wetlands, and other natural areas.

Enjoy higher quality food

Many chefs feel that organic foods are better quality, with deeper color and more pronounced flavors. The superior taste of organic foods makes them a top choice in high-end kitchens. In fact, one survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association found that 50% of restaurants with a per-person dinner check of $25 or more offer organic items on their menus.

Consume healthier meats

If you’re a health-conscious omnivore, you’ll be glad to know that organic beef comes from livestock fed an organic diet, including natural pasture grass. Research suggests that grass-fed meat has 60% more omega-3s, and up to 3 times as much conjugated linoleic acid─a beneficial oil that may reduce the risk of colon and breast cancers.

Clearly, there are many good reasons to choose organic when you can. You and your family deserve it!

However, while the post-holiday period is a relief, it can also be a huge anti-climax, leading to the blues─or worse. Though clinical depression should be addressed professionally, these tips can help you combat normal feelings of post-holiday let-down.

Identify the problem

If you feel a bit low, remind yourself that a slight feeling of loss is natural after such an intense, merry burst of shared celebration. Give yourself permission to feel a bit sad if need be, so you can then move on from there.

Savor the memories

Reflecting on your wonderful experience can help you transition from celebration mode to quieter daily life. You might journal about it, or gather pictures for a special 2011 holiday photo album. You could also create a fun scrapbook incorporating the holiday cards you received.

Stay connected

The cheery, collective holiday experience is largely about bringing people together. And that’s something you can continue, starting with writing thank you notes, e-mailing, or calling those who helped make your celebrations so special.

Plan an event

When you feel the time is right, consider planning an event to bring some loved ones together. That could be a mid-January brunch, wine tasting, hike, or themed potluck. Thinking in these terms is a heart-warming reminder that joyful gatherings can occur any time of the year!

Get active

Occupying yourself with healthy activities like exercise is a top cure for the blues. If you’re social, schedule yoga, Pilates, or spin classes. If solitude is preferable, get some new work-out DVDs or get back to nature hiking, jogging, or whatever you enjoy. You’ll be amazed at how much it helps.

Cultivate new interests

If you need a lift, why not dig into that new craft, hobby, class, or other pursuit on your bucket list? This may be an ideal time to get the adult education class schedule, pull out your sewing machine or sketch pad, practice a Cuban menu for a future dinner party, etc.

Bring on the self-care

If you need nurturing more than goal setting, treat yourself to a massage, new outfit, fun day trip, lunch with friends, long nap, new book─whatever healthy treat feels good to you.
As you can see, once you identify the problem, solutions abound, See what works best for you and stay positive. 2012 may well be your best year yet!