TransFair USA is the only independent U.S. certifier of Fair Trade products. “Fair Trade” means that farmers and business owners are guaranteed a fair price for their products and workers are guaranteed a fair wage for their labor. Fair Trade enables developing world communities to survive keeping everyone fed and sending children to school. It also means that only sustainable farming practices are used thus preserving the land and providing healthy food products for consumers.
In 2000, its first year of operation, TransFair signed up the giant retailer Starbucks to sell at least one brand of Fair Trade coffee at every outlet. (Ask for it when you go!) TransFair is part of a global certification network operating in over 60 countries.
TransFair’s first loan from the Untours Foundation was for $60,000, which has been paid back in full. It currently has a loan for $10,000, which Paul Newman gave to the foundation expressly for TransFair.
