THE DOMESTIC FAIR TRADE ASSOCIATION
THE DOMESTIC FAIR TRADE ASSOCIATION
The Domestic Fair Trade Association (DFTA) seeks to bring the values and principles of the international Fair
Trade movement to bear on the challenges facing family farmers, farm workers and rural communities on the local,
regional and domestic levels. We are not a certifier of products, but rather an association of mission-driven
organizations representing key stakeholders in the food system, including farmers, farm workers, processors and
marketers, retailers, and consumers. Our goal is to advance the movement for Domestic Fair Trade, collaborate with
like minded organizations and create models for a more just, sustainable and democratic agricultural economy.
The international Fair Trade movement has gained momentum in recent years, reaching more farmers, traders and
consumers with its message of fairness, equity and environmental stewardship in global trade. Representing a
convergence of co-operative, solidarity, and social justice movements, Fair Traders focus on empowerment and
capacity-building for small-scale farmers, artisans and agricultural workers in the global South. By creating
businesses committed to the principles of fairness and equity, Fair Trade Organizations provide concerned
consumers in the North the opportunity to link with and support farmers in the South through equitable trading
relationships. Similarly, the organic and sustainable agricultural movements have grown in impact, focusing on the
development and promotion of credible market-based claims for environmentally sound and humanely raised
products produced by family farmers which meet consumer expectations for safe, healthy and nutritious products.
Both movements have created positive change in the mainstream marketplace, influencing the conduct of
conventional corporations by creating viable alternatives.
Today we can see that the challenges faced by growers in marginalized regions of the world are similar to those
impacting family farmers in the North. In fact, many of these challenges are the result of the same global economic
forces. As in the developing world, farmers, traders, workers and consumers have joined together to take action in
often intersecting ways.
In 2005, Equal Exchange, Farmer Direct Co-operative, and Organic Valley/CROPP Co-operative convened a
meeting of organizations to discuss the idea of Domestic Fair Trade. Building on the priorities of supporting family
farming, farmer co-operatives and sustainable agriculture, the group identified the principles of international Fair
Trade, as expressed by organizations such as the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) and the Fair Trade
Federation (FTF), as a starting point for looking at the regional and local food systems. Our primary goals were to
support family-scale farming, to reinforce farmer-led initiatives such as farmer co-operatives, to ensure just
conditions for those who work in agriculture, to strengthen the organic farming movement, and bring these efforts
together with mission-based traders, retailers and concerned consumers to contribute to the movement for a more
equitable, diverse and sustainable agriculture in North America. A steering committee was formed from the
convening organizations and the Rural Advancement Foundation International, USA (RAFI-USA).
In 2006, a set of “Principles for Domestic Fair Trade” was developed from the priorities identified at this first
meeting:
• Family Scale Farming
• Capacity Building for Producers & Workers
• Democratic, Participatory Ownership & Control
• Rights of Labor
• Equality & Opportunity
• Direct Trade
• Fair & Stable Pricing
• Shared Risk & Affordable Credit
• Long-Term Trade Relationships
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Appropriate Technology
• Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
• Transparency & Accountability
• Education & Advocacy
In issuing these principles, we hope to contribute to the creation of a more holistic model of commerce that is
consistent with the basic values of the international Fair Trade movement, and builds on the values of the organic
and sustainable agricultural movements. (For an expanded description of the Principles, please contact us, or visit
www.equalexchange.com/dftfiles/dftprinciplesflyer.pdf.)
From these principles, a framework for a Domestic Fair Trade Association (DFTA) has been created, modeled on
that of other Fair Trade associations and being comprised of mission-based organizations committed to the
Principles for Domestic Fair Trade. Our goal is to bring together key stakeholders — farmers, workers, processors
and marketers, traders, advocacy groups and consumers — in common cause to create a more socially just,
participatory and sustainable food system. In doing so, we hope to create a more holistic model of Fair Trade that
reaches from the local to the global.
For more information on DFTA, please see the other side of this sheet.
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THE DOMESTIC FAIR TRADE ASSOCIATION
MISSION
The Domestic Fair Trade Association (DFTA) is an association of organizations that have come together
to promote a vision for Domestic Fair Trade. We are not a certifier of products. Rather our goal is to
bring together key stakeholders in the domestic food system to:
• Improve the livelihoods of family farmers and workers in the domestic food, fiber and
agricultural products industry;
• Promote and strengthen Fair Trade principles in the local, regional, national and international
food systems;
• Build broad public support for Domestic Fair Trade through on-going educational activities;
• Work cooperatively with other Fair Trade associations, advocacy organizations, standards-setting
bodies and other partners as approved by our member organizations; and
• Coordinate the cooperation of member organizations, promote their interests and provide services
as determined by the membership; and
MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the DFTA is by application to the steering committee and subject to the approval of the
membership. Applicant organizations must:
• Be committed at a mission level to trade as a mechanism for building a more fair, equitable and
sustainable food system;
• Represent one of the stakeholder groups identified below;
• Formally endorse the Principles for Domestic Fair Trade;
• Endorse the code of conduct of the Association;
• Complete an application to the Association;
• Commit to ongoing transparency and verification of practice; and
• Dedicate resources to the activities of the Association.
Stakeholder groups in the DFTA are: Family Farmers and Farmer Co-operatives, Farm Workers’
Organizations, Food Processing and Marketing Enterprises, Food Retailers, Civil Society Organizations
& NGOs. Associate Membership is available to organizations that support the work of DFTA but are not
eligible for full membership.
DECISION-MAKING
The DFTA strives to make decisions by consensus and is committed to transparency and participatory
governance by its members.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
The DFTA seeks to work in partnership with other organizations promoting Fair Trade, family farming,
social justice, economic democracy and ecological sustainability.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Equal Exchange, 50 United Dr., West Bridgewater, MA 02379 USA • www.equalexchange.coop
• Sarah Belfort, sbelfort@equalexchange.coop
• Erbin Crowell, ecrowell@equalexchange.coop
Farmer Direct Co-operative, 2054 Broad St., Regina, SK, Canada S4P 1Y3 • www.farmerdirect.ca
• Marla Carlson, marla@farmerdirect.coop
• Jason Freeman, jason@farmerdirect.ca
Organic Valley, One Organic Way, LaFarge, WI 54639 USA • www.organicvalley.coop
• Erin Ford, erin.ford@organicvalley.coop
• Cecil Wright, cecil.wright@organicvalley.coop
RAFI-USA, 274 Pittsboro Elementary School Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312 USA • www.rafiusa.org
• JJ Richardson, jj@rafiusa.org
• Michael Sligh, msligh@rafiusa.org
