On March 2, 2019, I attended the National Fair Trade Campaigns Conference in Chicago. Paul Rice, who is the Founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA, presented a Keynote session where he discussed his recent trip to Rwanda.
Providing an example of how he views the “market as a powerful force for lifting people out of poverty through trade not aid,” he described meeting Jean-Marie, a Rwandan coffee farmer, and his wife Dorothy. They were successful in organizing a Fair Trade co-operative within their farming community.
Jean-Marie, who was educated through the 3rd grade, possess a one acre coffee farm, which he relies on for his livelihood. Prior to forming a Fair Trade co-operative, they used to receive only pennies (from a middle man) for each pound of raw coffee cherries that they produced. The middle man dictated the price and would take the coffee cherries for further processing.
After forming the Fair Trade co-op with his community and securing loans to help him further process the product into coffee (which added more value per pound), Jean-Marie was able to sell direct to an exporter (not a middle man) and increased the price he received from a few cents to $3 per pound.
He was able to put his 6 kids in High School and they all graduated. As in many countries, although High School education is free, students have to wear shoes to attend and many families cannot afford the cost of shoes. So with his increased salary, Jean-Marie was able to buy shoes/clothing for his kids so they could attend and graduate High School.
His community also benefited from the Fair Trade Co-op in many ways including buying health insurance for all families in the co-op and ensuring community access to local clean water to improve the health of its residents.
Paul met Jean-Marie a couple of weeks prior to the conference and told him that he would be speaking in Chicago and if he had a message for the audience.
Jean-Marie had the following messages:
“I am happy and proud to make good coffee for you.”
“I hope to meet you one day. Please visit Rwanda… you are welcome.”
“Please pay a few cents more for our coffee. It makes a difference.”
“Please tell others to join our Fair Trade movement.”
Paul concluded his session stating “you too can make a difference everyday….with bars of chocolate, bananas, articles of clothing, etc. At the end of the day, it’s all about the consumer. If it stays on the shelf, there is no impact. If it sells, we win. If it doesn’t sell, we lose. Consumers have to join the cause…they are the sleeping giant. Let’s wake them up! The public has the power. The consumer has the power…to be a force for good in the world.”
Written by Dr. Shireen Musa
FIT, State University of New York
This article was very interesting. It was very nice to hear how the market is a system that can help with economic growth and reduce poverty. It is also nice to see how the Fair-Trade Co-Op has helped Jean-Marie’s coffee farming business. This co-op has also immensely helped change Jean-Maries financial life for the better. Consumers play a key role in keeping companies open. Even if it may not seem like you have a direct impact on the success of a business, every penny you spend in a store counts.
In the case of Jean-Marie’s coffee farming business, consumers count and matter even more. In my case, I might mind a price increase at a largely successful store. However, if I had to spend a little bit extra at a small business, I would not mind as much. This is because I know how hard it is for smaller companies to stay open, especially in foreign countries. In the case of Jean-Marie, I would definitely not mind spending more money in order to help the business. Especially when there is a face to the company and the owner is known, it makes the experience more personable, which encourages consumers to be more empathetic and spend more.
This was a very interesting and uplifting read about the positive effects that Fair Trade initiatives can bring. By treating farmers in a more ethical manner in the initial sourcing of goods, is the primary step in creating a more ethical and sustainable supply chain. What Paul Rice is doing with bringing the initiative made in Rwanda is very inspiring and can lead to potential industry change if the consumer decides to support such causes. Although this practice is very positive, it can also bring along false benefactors or companies who claim to be ethical/sustainable and instead use this claim as a marketing ploy in order to sell more of their products.
Such malpractice can therefore lead to consumers being mislead and eventually falling out of favor with even wanting to support fair trade/ethically sourced goods. Thus. it is very important to educate the general public into what makes a product ethically sourced and more so the ramifications associated with supporting such products for both the people involved in the supply chain as well as the consumers. If consumers are given initiative and proper foresight into why consuming ethically sourced goods is better than the next option, then they will be more willing to buy the goods regardless of the price. That is why getting the word out is so important, and being able to learn and further educate others about such initiatives will help to change the mindset associated with many consumers. Instead of just opting for the cheapest option that is very unethically sourced, maybe one day consumers will think twice and go for the “ethical” option because they understand the power they hold through being able to purchase such items, especially in changing the lives of those who are there to source the product for them in the first place.
It makes sense why such tales have an impact given that Rwanda’s primary economic activity is agriculture. There is a close correlation between agriculture and poverty in Rwanda, and there are several issues in this area. However, it is encouraging to learn that certain individuals and organizations are making investments in the sector’s growth and, more crucially, in the welfare of the farmers and their families. Jean-Mary was fortunate, but many other farmers are still dependent on middlemen and receive pitiful payments for each pound of coffee! Opportunities like Fair Trade should not be undervalued, and it is crucial for consumers to comprehend how their support can affect so many people’s lives.
This was a great story for Jean-Marie to share. I felt really compelled to hear that someone who was struggling with poverty was able to flip it around and be able to use the market to really pull themselves up. It is really inspiring to see and hear the stories that come along with it. Consumers hold the power and are able to see the market with their purchases, their purchasing power sets others up. If they are buying, then they are able to keep a business up and running but if they choose to not spend their money then businesses will not flourish. I think that it is important to hear this as a consumer because you tend to think more so about your purchases and who you are giving your money. I think this can directly go into another conversation of buying from bigger corporations vs smaller businesses.
Wow, what an inspiring story about the transformative power of Fair Trade! Paul Rice’s story about meeting Jean-Marie, a coffee farmer from Rwanda, really demonstrates the profound impact that Fair Trade can have on farmers and their communities. It’s incredible to see how Jean-Marie was able to use Fair Trade to drastically improve his own financial situation as well as the lives of his family and neighbors. It’s a great example of how trade, rather than aid, can be a powerful force for lifting people out of poverty. I’m impressed by the work that Fair Trade USA is doing to make sure that more farmers like Jean-Marie can benefit from this transformative system. Overall, this story is a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting sustainable and equitable trade initiatives.
I think the major takeaway from this piece is the power consumers wield, but unfortunately, they are rarely able to concentrate that power and direct it in a way that could influence real change. The idea of voting with your money is frequently used as a rallying cry but is usually brushed off. Capitalism is a great idea, but its capacity for good is just as strong as its capacity for evil. People, or workers, can be exploited. Consumers can be misled, but just the same it can bring people together, create community, and spread the effort required to scale an endeavor and offer benefits above and beyond what just a single person can accomplish. Lowering costs and increasing profits.
I think this article is really intriguing and enlightens me. According to the article, it said that ‘“market as a powerful force for lifting people out of poverty through trade not aid,”’ and I totally agree with this idea. I also believe that fair trade itself really helps country get out of poverty and make them build the power to stand on their own feet. For example, the countries that get aids from a lot of organizations such as Unicef or others are still one of the poorest country in the world. Based on this, aid helps things get better for a while and for a little bit, but it can never be a complete solution. In addition, another interesting idea was that we, as consumers can be participated it and help it. According to the article, Paul Rice who is a the Founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA indicated that we can make a difference by paying a little bit more. ‘“If it stays on the shelf, there is no impact. If it sells, we win. If it doesn’t sell, we lose. Consumers have to join the cause…they are the sleeping giant.”’ It enlightened me that we can also join the Fair Trade Movement by consuming products. As a student who is in International Trade and Marketing major and takes an Import/ Export Regulations class, it was an opportunity that made me deeply ponder about it.
I like the messages from Jean-Marie, specifically, “Please pay a few cents more for our coffee. It makes a difference.” As a consumer, it is gratifying to know where your product comes from and be thankful for it. With a holistic approach to shopping, price becomes something with a value that can benefit the lives of others around the globe.
Additionally, I agree with Jean-Marie that the consumers hold a lot of power and that the fair trade movement can help promote the goods of hardworking farmers like himself in a more direct and transparent way, where no middle-man is needed.
In an ideal world, international trade would bring the world out of poverty and allow everyone to make a living creating what they love. I don’t think it is simple, but articles like these are inspiring and make me reflect upon how we can achieve this while preserving local skill, and how I shouldn’t base my shopping decisions soly on price or familiarity, but curiosity and appreciation. Fair trade can make more stories like this possible and ensure fair prices for their products. Eventually, this can lead to investment in their communities.
Harvesting Prosperity:
This is an amazing concept. I truly believe that more profits thus power should go into the hands of the farmer, than those of exploiters so the initiative is a great one. Regular people don’t understand how much further pennies on the dollar may go, but the analogy between shoes and being barefoot surely did highlight the impact on an individual level that fair trade makes.
Educating the local farmers on how to refine their product thus enabling them to add more value to said product, is groundbreaking.
I can’t help but wonder however, if the middle man is cut out… Why do the costs increase?
Do the purchasers incur increased costs, as a result of the middle man being cut out? Because I would’ve thought all “middle man” profits now go to the farmer, thus they be no need for cost increase to the consumer. In fact, I’m sure I’m missing data, but my mind says the price for the consumer should be lower with a direct link to the supplier.
Nevertheless, research has shown that Paul Rice has dedicated all of his working years to projects such as these and it is beautiful to see the real faces of the families like Pierre, who benefit.
The Fair-Trade co-op has been able to help Jean-Marie and his family’s quality of life. I found it intriguing how by cutting out the middleman Jean-Marie was able to make more money from his coffee. He didn’t have to purchase more acres of the coffee farm just invest in furthering the process of the product! This opportunity Jean-Marie has also relied on the consumer. As consumers we’re the ones purchasing products and as Jean-Marie states, “If it sells, we win.” If as consumers, we aren’t purchasing products because of the price it can mean all the difference if that product is a part of a Fair-Trade co-op.
After reading his story I won’t complain about the price of coffee. A price increase can indicate that a Fair-Trade co-op is helping a small farmer in a developing country. This means that they can experience what Jean-Marie did. Learning about how his increased salary allowed his kids to attend high school was impactful. If he couldn’t clothe them then they would miss out on their education. In the U.S. education is often taken for granted and I think more people should hear Jean-Marie’s story.
This blog was incredibly motivating, and I’m pleased I learned more about what an event like this would entail. As a society, we are gradually realizing that simply sending aid to countries would not help them develop. The gift that keeps on giving is investing money in countries through commerce. It’s simple to be duped into selling your thing for less than it’s worth. I’m glad to see that Jean-Marie was able to make such a large profit through the Fair Trade co-op.
This business strategy ensures that the producers’ livelihoods, as well as their products, are sustainable.
It’s fascinating to note that after removing the middleman, Jean-Marie, the coffee farmer, was able to get a higher return on investment per pound. He was able to support himself and his family by joining the fair trade movement. The fair trade movement had a positive impact on his community as well. It’s worth emphasizing that fair trade can only succeed if consumers are prepared to buy fair trade products. In exchange for offering long-term, high-quality products, small businesses from all across the country can thrive.
The Paul Rice quote you pulled from the conference was very powerful! “Market as a powerful force for lifting people out of poverty through trade not aid,” immediately reminded me of the book, The Travels of a T-shirt in the Global Economy, by Pietra Rivoli. The book is a great essential for anyone, especially those who are embarking on their own journeys in the fashion industry. Your article made me think of the communities, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries that have been given opportunities to grow due to global trade. It is one thing to provide aid and funding for their countries, but we have seen how trade, especially when done fairly, has the potential to empower communities. By providing them work opportunities and open avenues for them to establish relationships with other businesses, the economical benefits can be sustained for much longer compared to just providing one-time aid in these places.
Jean-Marie’s story is a testament to how fair trade does more than just benefit the farmers and businesses involved, it helps fuel the education and support those who have the desire to study. These communities begin to flourish in ways that would otherwise take longer or feel close to impossible without having Fair Trade in the picture. Your article ends on a very important note, which is how we play a role in all of this as consumers. In the same way we “vote with our dollars,” we can help water the seeds being planted by Fair Trade by purchasing from companies engaged in these practices. Thank you for sharing this empowering story from Paul Rice’s speech!
The aim of the “fair trade” coffee movement is to create an opportunity for the producers who are in the disadvantageous position economically and let them be self-sufficient. The large dealers are not allowed to make huge profits at the expense of small producers. The aim is also to create an environment where coffee makers offer transparency and accountability in their operations all while bringing quality coffee products to consumers. This business model brings forth sustainability in the producers not only in the products but also in their livelihood.
It’s very interesting that once Jean-Marie; the coffee farmer, removed the middle man, he was able to make a better return on investment per pound. By joining the fair trade movement, he was able to sustain a living to provide for his family. His community also benefited from the fair trade movement as well. It’s worth noting that engaging in fair trade is only as good if consumers are willing to buy fair trade products, small businesses from other parts of the country can thrive and flourish in exchange providing sustainable high quality products.
Jean-Marie escaped poverty through her own efforts and the help of the Fair Trade co-op. Currently, Jean-Marie’s coffee is only sold in Rwanda, but in the near future, Jean-Marie could consider exporting her coffee. Exports can further promote Jean-Marie’s coffee, bringing local specialties to the world. Jean-Marie can make more money. But there are many things to consider when exporting coffee.
The first thing to consider is the product, such as whether Jean-Marie sells raw material or finished product, because in the exporting country, it may have a comparative advantage in labor, so it is a good suggestion to deliver the processing to the exporting country. The second point is to conduct product competitiveness research. To export successfully, it is imperative that the company adequately evaluate the various world markets where its product is likely to be marketable. Another example, Export packing should also be considered. How should the coffee beans be packaged, are there any requirements? There are many other points for preliminary consideration. Only when these preliminary issues are determined can the export proceed smoothly.
Thank you for sharing your personal experience in national fair trade. Jean-Marie’s story is inspiring and let me think about the different between investing in trade and no aid in poverty societies. Fair trade is a platform to change the current economy, and by learning and getting the right tools we can make a world-wide change. Jean-Marie succeed to understand the right formula to make more money, and to work with her own exporter without a middle-man. A big change that actually changed her life and generations after her. When a person break his own poverty circle, his children will have a better future and more opportunities in life. This is excited to know how trade changed and help others.
Thank you for sharing Jean-Marie’s story, I feel as consumers in the US, we should be exposed to more stories like these, because many consumers are unaware of the power of the dollar. Our money, and where it goes, has power! As young people, especially college students, although our financial situations may not be the most superb, where our money goes matters. Fair trade is a fascinating way to change the economy and living standards of a community, whether in your state or halfway across the world. It makes me think of the saying I’m sure we’ve all heard- “Give a man a fish and you feed him for one day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Fair trade is powerful because it is not a hand out, or charity- it is simply an ethical way to trade goods for services, and actually empowers and lifts the supplier (in this case Jean-Marie) because they are able to produce a product that people want, not simply receive money when it is given. This can raise the living standards for not just one person, but an entire community. The fair trade model is really unique due to that factor. In last 4 years studying marketing and communications, and especially in this last year learning about global sourcing , I have learned about such a wide variety of ways of manufacturing and exporting, and unfortunately a large amount of them involve low wages and unethical labor. When shopping, especially in health food markets, there are so many fair trade options, and we should always be encouraged to choose those products, even though they may cost a bit more. If you walk into a Whole Foods on any block in NYC for example, although Whole Foods itself may not be the best company, as they are owned by amazon, there are lots of fair trade shelves, which is a great place to start.
Jean Marie story is very inspiring and reminds me of my own up bringing. When I was a child my siblings and I would accompany my parent out to the fields to harvest coffee beans. It was a very tedious and somewhat dangers task. I fear most the wasp, ants and sometimes snakes on the branches. I recall all the hard work and different task from picking the beans to drying and selling them for a just a small amount of money. It was one of our main sources of income along with other crops that my parents cultivated. Although living conditions have gotten better over the years my parents still own and cultivate coffee. There are similarities with Jean Marie experience that I personally can relate to, and I am very impressed by his achievement. Jean Marie was fortunate to be a part of the Fair-Trade co-operative, which we had no exposure to at the time or any organization to assist us. although Jean Marie did not have an advance education, Fair Trade has taught him how to get the most out of his coffee production. His ability to focus on a market with the right approach has boost his income with great reward, he was able to manage his financial burdens and take care of his family needs. This article needs more attention because it will encourage others, with the assistance and knowledge of Fair Trade our communities can become more financially stable.
At the beginning of this article, I didn’t know who Paul Rice was or his profession. Paul Rice is the founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA. He has helped aid Fair Trade in both the food and apparel Industries. According to the Schwab Foundation, “In 2020 consumer recognition of the Fair Trade Certified label hit 63% and U.S. retail sales of Fair Trade products grew to $8 billion. As a result, to date, Fair Trade USA and its partners generated over $830 million in additional income for farmers and workers in 63 countries, allowing them to care for the environment and steadily improve their livelihoods.” From researching him in this article, my eyes were opened to how much it has made an impact.
The powerful movement talked about in this article and what the founder does affects everyone, from the farmer to the consumer. When the consumer purchases a product they don’t think about the farmer or the labor that goes in to make the product. This is such a strong story because it talks about the farmer, Jean-Marie, and his struggles going through a middle man to only make cents on his coffee. Through his story, he finally finds a way through the Fair Trade Co-Op to make $3 per pound for his coffee. Those $3 really make a difference in his life, giving him the ability to send his children to high school, get health insurance, and have access to clean water. The ending of the article where Rice addresses the idea that the consumer is the sleeping giant is correct. The consumer has the most responsibility in this sector and should be more educated about the product they purchase and whether or not it is sustainable.
I enjoyed learning about Jean-Marie’s story, which is very inspiring and informative. The term ‘fair trade’ has been familiarized among all coffee drinkers included me. However, I haven’t got a chance to learn what is really behind the term ‘fairtrade’ and how far fairness can benefit the farmer’s end until I read about this particular event and further online research about the fairtrade co-operative in Rwanda. Seeing the positive effects of what the fairtrade cooperative can do for Jean-Marie and their farming community in Rwanda reminds me that consumers have the power to make a meaningful impact on the global community. I also found that many fairtrade co-operatives in Rwanda help farmers to process organic certification resulted in better income through higher trade prices.
Jean-Marie and his wife Dorothy was a great example of a success story overcome poverty and lack of opportunity. It should not have just stayed as a heartwarming story but to be considered a reminder to all coffee consumers to make purchase decisions consciously.
I really enjoyed hearing about Jean-Marie’s story, and I think we as consumers in the US need to be exposed to more of these, because many consumers are unaware of the power of the dollar. Fair trade is such an impactful way to change the economy and living standards of a community, and it follows the age old saying “Give a man a fish and you feed him for one day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Fair trade is not charity- it simply an ethical way to trade goods for services, and empowers the supplier (in this case Jean-Marie) because they are able to produce a product that people want, not simply receive money when it is given. In my ITM major I have read all about different forms of manufacturing and exporting, and many of them involve low wages and unethical labor. When shopping, especially in health food markets, there are so many fair trade options, and we should always be encouraged to choose those products, even though they may cost a bit more. For coffee lovers, coffee is a great place to start. Thanks for sharing this story!
Jean-Marie’s story spoke to me because of his resilience and fortitude. Advocating for more Fair Trade regulations and enforcement is so important. Jean-Marie is using the Fair Trade co-operative to change his life and the lives of his community members. With access to education, improved living, conditions, health insurance, etc. The initiative of Fair Trade USA is to make the supply chain more ethical and open by giving the community a say on how they live their lives. This should be deemed a fundamental human right. Founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA, Paul Rice, is steadfast in his belief that providing guidance in the sales market and education on trading techniques is more beneficial than monetary aid. As an International Trade and Marketing for the Fashion Industries (ITM) student at FIT I have learned how imperative it is for companies to be transparent with their production and supply chain practices. Transparency breeds customer loyalty. I am very passionate about working for an organization who holds these same values so we can continue to make positive strides forward for individuals like Jean-Marie.
“ Market as a powerful force for lifting people out of poverty through trade not aid” I didn’t quite understand this quote fully until I read through this article and now, I totally understand and couldn’t agree more. Helping people for temporarily with some aids is just not enough, you have to make change in the disrupted system in order to never let that happen again. With Fair trade, Jean-Marie and their family had totally changed their life and it was crucial change that needed to happen. It is just not fair they are not getting what they have worked for and not able to support their family financially. I was so glad that Jean-Marie gets what he deserve and felt that our act of choosing what we buy in daily life can actually change other people’s life. I also thought about the unfair treatments and harsh working environment that clothing manufacturing workers all around the world have to face in order for the corporate to gain higher quality product in low cost. It is just terrifying to read stories happening around the world. But I think we can also make a change when ourself become a conscious consumer in choosing what we buy that correlates to our belief and what they stand for. We can make a change.
I found this article particularly impactful and definitely a prevalent read for todays various issues in trade laws. Fair trade allows workers to drive forward a better future for their families and for their countries in general. The small investments we make in supporting businesses that use fair trade business assist in aiming communities and the development of good practices. I think Jean Marie is 100% right, we are able to aid others in small ways that create a large impact. He has done some pretty amazing things to help others less fortunate and I feel the more people who hear his story, the more people his efforts will be able to impact.
Purchasing coffee beans from certified Fair Trade Organization benefits both the consumer and the grower. For the consumer, the certification provides information such as the origin of the beans, dialogue with farmers, no interference from a middleman, and transparency. Farmers, receive a fair price per pound and have some profit leftover disposable income to share with their families as well as their communities to improve infrastructure and environmental preservation through proper waste disposal. The program also provides more dignity for the farmers as they feel more empowered to grow their business instead of receiving aid or cash transfers from wealthy countries.
Wonmi Lee –
Jean-Marie’s story is humbling yet wholesome. He essentially came from nothing and had no means of prospering in life but he became knowledgeable and kept trying. If more people had the drive he did, the world we live in would be different. Becoming knowledgeable on the companies we buy from and support is a good way of being proactive. Rather than buying the Starbucks coffee, try the coffee imported from Rwanda thats $1 more. It could make the utmost difference. As consumers we have a responsibility to our sellers, so we should try and spread the love when it comes to spending. Buying coffee from Jean-Marie means that he can put his kids through high school. Buying from a big corporation simply means your part of another statistic and a mere 1 in the billions.
I really enjoyed this story. I liked how Paul rice mentioned that a lot of it starts with consumers. It’s interesting to think that just through choosing a particular product from the shelf one could drastically change someone else’s life and allow them to prosper. Moreover, I think it’s important for consumers to demand companies visibility as to where the products they are purchasing come from and how they are impacting the lives of others. Through encouraging Fair Trade, jean-marie was giving the chance to an increase in income, which he then used to invest and improve his community, if more communities were given this change as well many families could have the opportunity to further their education and reduce their poverty.
This story is so great to hear! I do think it is so important for developed countries to aid in the prosperity of developing countries. Although, I will say there is a lot we can do on our home ground to make this happen as well such as making more sustainable everyday choices. When countries like Rwanda receive all our second hand clothing, this actually does not help their economy like we may think it might. For countries like Rwanda, a small landlocked state with a few natural resources to extract and export, building local manufacturing is vital for development. Therefore, having to compete with cheap second-hand imports has stalled any need for new production. Such sales puts nations like Rwanda in positions of power, which white supremacy and colonization have successfully blocked for many decades. They are attempting to build their economy on their own which can be a threat to already powerful nations. It’s our job to recognize this and uplift the voices and projects that will continue to grow Rwanda as a nation.
What Paul Rice did is truly admirable and making a difference is a huge part of what matters in life! Fair-trade Co-op has a huge impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration. Paul Rice has helped many receive fair price for their crops and compete in the global market through direct, long-term contracts with international buyers thus, helping not only the farmers but also adding more value into international trading. “From coffee to clothing, U.S. retails sales of items certified by the nonprofit Fair-Trade USA topped $6 billion in 2016 with well-known brands such as Starbucks, PepsiCo, Target, Walmart, Patagonia, West Elm and Gap Inc. among its 1,200 corporate supporters” making not only honorable but incredibly profitable. Fair Trade was certified in a US-based agricultural operation and was able to make a difference in the low wages as well, while sustainability is also a key role in Fair Trade strategies. Paul Rice mentions that sustainability, codifies by the United Nations, is a three-pronged concept which includes economic, environmental and social criteria, making it significant to many different sectors. I think Paul Rice is my new hero!!!
I really enjoyed reading this post because it supports my thinking of how to enhance the economic state of vulnerable communities around the world. The expansion of trade in these communities could substantially improve the state of their economies providing opportunities for growth in both education and culture. Many of these countries are abundant in natural resources as well, providing opportunities to create different product or trade raw materials rather than waiting for larger developments to come in and exploit them. The education of different trade policies and laws, understanding the dynamics of demand and supply could really improve the way business is executed on the individual level. Creating these opportunities could help numerous families gain economic independence thus strengthening the national economy and building up their status in the eyes of international communities. I really admire this story in the way Paul Rice approached helping these communities, instead of giving them aid he provided the basic need and business opportunities.
What a great story and a testament to the importance of Fair Trade and supporting underdeveloped countries. Countries like Rwanda have valuable resources and beautiful human beings willing and able to produce. Because of inadequate government and slow economy, they are unable to compete in global trade at the levels that other developing countries are. I’m so grateful for the World Trade Organizations and the United Nations because they have capacity building programs and assistance to help least developed countries with resources, visibility and opportunities to trade fairly. To reduce poverty in these nations, economic growth is necessary. This includes infrastructure, environmental and sustainability initiatives. Also, to your point consumers must be made aware of these stories, products and initiatives. Our awareness about sustainability is heightening and because of it, consumer behavior reflects this shift. Millennials and older generations alike understand the responsibility we have to support products that benefit the welfare of people in underdeveloped countries. Marketing and story telling is a great way to inform consumers of stories like this one from Rwanda. People love great coffee and would enjoy it more and buy more when they know it helped a family and their children with shoes and basic education.
This article was very endearing! It was a great representation of how a community can overcome poverty through trade, instead of aid. Typically, the most common form of help that people think of is care packages, donations and other forms of aid. They rarely think of using the market to help them. Fair trade cooperative has been imperative for socio-economic development, reducing poverty, employment and social integration. Trade has made it possible for many communities to come together, and support one another. By doing so, more people in a community open up their own forms of business, and the community supports itself. Through trade, the community learns and grows while understanding how to sustain itself.
In lesson 3, we discussed the importance of developed economies. They account for a big portion of the world GNP, which allows many new companies to be created. If more countries can become developed through trade, that country can continue to grow, since many companies only do business in developed nations. This is because the environment is more predictable, and they feel as if their investment will grow there. At the same time, these emerging markets can be extremely beneficial for businesses. It gives international marketers an opportunity to expand their revenue and reduce costs by reaching a new dynamic consumer.
While reading this post, the concept of the market as a tool to lift people out of poverty, as opposed to say charitable donations and other forms of aid, struck me as such an obvious way to help others out. It isn’t a new idea or anything elaborate, just a simple way to assist in building better lives for individuals and communities. In fact, we do it domestically in various ways. We educate our nation’s children so that they can one day support themselves through work and business. Yes there are many charities to assist in numerous and deserving causes, and they are priceless resources to help in various ways, but the practiced road to prosperity is thorough the market.
By applying this concept in a different way, Fair Trade has enabled upward mobility through market participation. Jean-Marie, the Rwandan coffee farmer, is able to maintain a better way of life through Fair Trade production than his previous methods of coffee farming and market access. By investing and stabilizing the price of goods, people in developing nations can benefit from market participation and hopefully, ensuring a better way of life for themselves and their community.
After reading the blog post, I was compelled to read more accounts of “before and after” Fair Trade stories. An article from The Guardian called “Teach Us How to Fish, Don’t Just Give Us the Fish,” discussed how Fair Trade had helped three different farmers in differing crop production and countries. Every single person said that not only were they able to make better income from participating in Fair Trade efforts, but their increased income had gone on to encourage more economic development within their own families and communities. Some communities were able to build schools, medical facilities, provide access to healthcare, and reduce maternal mortality rates. Honestly, it seems like a beneficial thing for everyone. People can earn a living wage and can help support communities while investing back into their own businesses and the market gets quality goods for consumption while enabling personal development and growth.
When we help others, everyone wins.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/mar/12/ethicalliving.lifeandhealth
What an inspiring story! This story showcases the possibilities when we look to help people and their business while still having a successful business. High profits rather than equality are a common trend in almost all business structures these days. Companies have prioritized high profits rather than the care for their employees and the natural resources they use, which is causing harm to people and local environments. When looking for companies that are trying to create products that are ethically sourced and well made, fair trade should be a key word used to describe the practices used. By supporting goods that are Fair Trade certified, consumers are able “to support responsible companies, empower farmers, workers, and fishermen, and protect the environment” (https://www.fairtradecertified.org/why-fair-trade?gclid=Cj0KCQjwzN71BRCOARIsAF8pjfgeTRT4fAy3caxBhTGCCpDJUqpQSNGDLMRdqWYOtcJ54gGVhTIPsBEaAuNWEALw_wcB). Fair Trade products also give reassurance to consumer that these products are doing more good than harm to our world.
When Paul Rice said, “At the end of the day, it’s all about the consumer”, these words will be in my mind the next time I make a purchasing decision. Being an informed consumer is only one part of the equation. The other part is actually following through and purchasing items that are Fair Trade Certified. I think part the reason why the equation is not always balanced is due to the part that while consumers are aware of injustices behind the products they buy, they will buy one product over the other due to habit, price and connivence. Consumers must understand that investing the proper research and supporting companies that are fair trade certified does make a substantial difference in our world. While the item might cost more, understanding that the extra cost does directly go to helping farmers provide for their families and run a successful business is and should be worth it! Going into my future purchases, I will be spending more time on brands and products that are fair trade certified. I want to make sure my purchases are helping local economies and causing as minimum harm to environment.
This blog post was very inspiring and motivating. The quote that stuck out to me was how Paul Rice sees the “market as a powerful force for lifting people out of poverty through trade, not aid”. Globalization many times has negative connotations because many times workers are exploited but this was a great example of globalization benefitting a community. I was first introduced for the Fair Trader Co-operative last semester in my International Business Transactions class with Professor Jimenez. We had to negotiate international coffee bean contracts that we’re about for Fair Trade. Since then, I have read many articles about how Fair Trade has improved the communities in developing countries. A brand that in local in NY that helps communities in Guatemala is Mercado Global. I was supposed to go on a service trip there this semester for spring break but it got canceled 🙁
It is wonderful to hear that Jean-Marie was able to lift their family out of poverty in Rwanda. I remember doing a project on Fair Trade coffee beans in my international business transactions class, and it was very interesting to me to learn about all that goes into being certified fair trade and the benefits of it. While I am glad to see Jean-Marie and his family’s success, It saddens me that they were exploited by a middle man giving them pennies, when their product was actually worth so much more. If we want the continued success of businesses in Africa, it is important to also look at ways that their labor market and products are being exploited. I agree that trade gives continued economic prosperity and success to people in developing countries, and offers a solution out of poverty.
Jean-Marie’s story is very inspirational, one that many people with the business sector can look up to. Whether you are an ITM student like myself, or currently running a small business, we can take a lot of information from this blog post that will help us in our future careers. Many consumers do not realize the effects of a middleman, as the manufacturers are usually hit the hardest. As a coffee farmer, Jean-Marie was able to eliminate the middleman, and earn more money for his family, in order to put his children through school. I am blown away by the effort and perseverance Jean Marie possessed while forming the Fair Trade co-operative. Being treated unfairly for so many years, and not being paid equally, I am sure Jean-Marie had his doubts throughout the process. Having his community behind him and being able to secure the loans was a big asset to his success, which many may overlook in this story. Without the proper support system, many individual manufacturers and small business owners can feel as though they are drowning at times.
My biggest takeaway from this blog post was Paul Rice’s statement about consumers within the market. He is absolutely right that if a product remains on shelves, there is no impact within the supply chain. Consumers do not realize that their shopping habits affect more than their households. Purchasing one brand of jeans over the other trickles down to the person who sewed the label on those jeans in a factory. Consumers, manufacturers, retailers and other positions within the supply chain can take Jean-Marie’s story and use it to their benefit. It is absolutely correct that aid is not the only solution to helping those in need. Trade is all around us, throughout our everyday lives. Without trade, we would not have all of the products we use on a daily basis, and creating fair trade co-operatives will continue to better the population.
This blog post really shows what can happen when individuals in developed countries reach out to undeveloped/newly developing countries and use their knowledge and expertise in moral ways. Many businesses in America and other developed countries are worried purely on the bottom line, and in this case, purchase from individuals that only offer Jean-Marie pennies per pound. Paul Rice took it upon himself to educate this man and his wife and gave him the business knowledge that set his farm up for years of success. There are plenty more cases of small farmers all over the world that are taken advantage of every day purely because they do not know any better or are forced into these agreements. They may be some of the best farmers or produce the best product, but continuously get taken advantage of. It is up to this new generation of business professionals to create better practices for the producers in these underdeveloped/newly developed countries.
I am very impressed by how important fair trade is and how could it change a family’s daily life. Not only this family-owned small business but also tons of small business owners, they do not have enough resources and platform to grow their business because they do not have enough resources and platform to grow their business. The middle man took advantage of it and gained more profit by charging them unequally. This topic also related to the supply chain and the global sourcing class that I am taking right now. A company could gain more profit by operating its own supply chain. They can manage their production and also be able to adjust their price regard to the market price to maximize their profit. We value cost, place, and quality for the soucing process. Proper soucing would be able to provide an opportunity to the farm owner or manufacturer owner to grow their business and meantime we are satisfied with their goods.
First off – wow! I can’t believe that you’ve had the opportunity to attend the National Fair Trade Conference! We’ve talked about this event during my other classes, so it was very helpful to hear your insight about it, Professor Musa!
I was intrigued to hear about how trade helps alleviate poverty rather than the actual aid itself. More specifically, how throughout the use of trade Jean-Marie was able to put six of his kids through school rather than continuing to sell to a middleman.
I believe that this shows the importance of fair-trade coops and how a certain level of trade can drastically change one’s life – as seen with JeanMarie’s testimony!
This story also largely relates to other coursework within ITM. More specifically, this can relate to third world countries such as Brazil who have a huge gap between the rich and the poor. By regulating trade in a more efficient way – perhaps the gap could be lessend.
The event conveys a great message towards our society about how a community can contribute to the the cause of poverty and other causes also to benefit the society. Our choices of the products we use in our day to day lives can make a huge difference to the lives of a lot of people.
We should be a part of such initiatives and contribute towards the society and help it grow.
This event sounded so interesting! In our courses I feel that we spend most of our time discussing Trade in regards to Asia and South America because that is where most mills, suppliers, and vendors are located. I always question why countries in Africa don’t produce any garments. “market as a powerful force for lifting people out of poverty through trade not aid,” I love this statement. For one of my courses I did a case study on Toms Shoes and analyzed if they shoes were really that beneficial in the long run. I took the stance that Toms Shoes promotes the cycle of poverty. Similar to how we learn that Walmart promotes the cycle of poverty in our Global Sourcing course. If Toms really wanted to make a difference they should educate the population and provide the skill of producing shoes. Donate money to help the people start businesses and promote trade. Currently, for Toms the shoes actually end up in landfills because of their flimsy design and poor people in factories in Asia are the ones making the shoes for little money.
With agriculture being the main economic activity in Rwanda, it is understandable how such stories are impactful. When researching about Rwanda it was clear the strong link between agriculture and poverty: the challenges are many. But it is great to hear that that some people and institutions are investing in the development of the sector and most importantly, in the well being of the farmers and their families. Fortunately, Jean-Mary was a lucky one but many other farmers are still under a middle man and earning as little as a few pennies for a pound of coffee! Opportunities like Fair Trade are not to be underestimated and it is important for customers to understand how their support can make an impact on so many life.
This is such an inspiring article. I love that Jean Marie was able to be rewarded for his efforts through his business. He went from struggling to being able to provide for his children’s education. Selling directly to an exporter allowed an increase and substantial growth in his income. It’s important that we continue to support these agricultural local farmers. Simple actions as such make a bigger difference in the lives of these people.
Wow, this humanist code is what we must all be running as our default software. I agree that it is ultimately a matter of the consumers effort in demanding sustainable, ethical products from those who need it the most. It is through efforts like Fair Trade USA’s that we make progress in the nations trade policy–something that seems to be improving after reading some of the specific shifts in the USMCA. An example being requires Mexico’s requirement “to pass legislation that improves the collective bargaining capabilities of labor unions.”
It is easy to mindlessly consume in one’s day-to-day without making a conscious, well-reasoned choice whether the product one is buying is ethically sourced. I had not considered this before reading this but it has reminded me to be mindful and to support organizations operating with the above intentions.
I agree with Paul Rice that consumers can impact a change. With the power of their wallets they can support fair trade and help people, such as Jean-Marie and his wife, improve the quality of their lives and grow their business. I was shocked by how little money they were getting for their coffee cherries by working with a middleman and I was happy to see that the Fair Trade co-op changed their lives for the better. I think that more and more consumers want organic, fair trade, sustainable products and companies have to listen to their target market in order to stay in business. Consumers, by being vocal and by picking up fair trade goods of the store shelves can make a huge impact on the industry. As an example, I recently bought a bar of soap by Shea Moisture, because this product was ethically traded and sustainably produced and the ingredients are certified as organic, natural and fair trade. Also, be buying this product I was able to support Community Commerce which empowers disadvantaged women.
Paul Rice’s presentation about Fair Trade was very interesting. From what I gathered from my classes at FIT as well as my own personal observations, consumers ultimately influence factors of change that they want to see in the companies they support. Jean-Marie’s story was very inspirational to read about, and by talking about it at such events, they are able to spread awareness about the impacts of supporting fair trade businesses. By teaching consumers what goes in to making products, they become more aware of not only what they are buying, but the conditions and consequences that are a result from producing the product as well. It can also open their eyes to what kinds of brands they are supporting, in terms of ethics. This is also why it’s important to support fair trade. By purchasing fair trade items, consumers not only support small business owners, but also the communities which the business surrounds because the people who work there will also receive rights which they most likely would not be given in other developing towns or cities. We as individuals may not be able too see or notice the impact we have when buying fair trade items, but the business owners and communities definitely see and feel the impact.
After reading this article it puts into perspective how helpful these Fair Trade organizations are and how much a difference they make within a community. Seeing Jean-Marie change the Fair Trade made in Jean-Maries life is amazing. He was able to go from making pennies and being taken advantage of by middlemen to securing loans, becoming his own sales rep and making 3 dollars per pound. Now that he has a living wage he was able to put his 6 kids into school. Cases like Jean-Marie need to be talked about more. I believe if more people knew the actual effect it had they would be more willing to spend the extra money for Fair Trade goods.
I recently did a paper on Fair Trade for my International Economics class and ever since, I have been intrigued by this movement. The story of Jean-Marie really shows how impactful, meaningful, and life changing Fair Trade policies can be. It makes a huge difference in the life of people who produce things we are consumers like to eat, drink, and wear. I personally think Fair Trade is not as advertised as it should be. Although consumers are the power behind making things like this possible, more consumers should become more educated of the story, the lives, and the hands their product was in before being bought. Ultimately, I think if consumers become more aware of Fair Trade, more lives like that of Jean-Marie can be dramatically changed for the better.
Paul Rice’s presentation about Fair Trade is very inspirational. Through my years at FIT and experience I’ve gained working in the fashion industry, I have learned yes, it is ultimately up to the consumers to make a change. Educating consumers on what really goes on being the making of what they purchase can be very eye opening and may make them think twice about brands they support, whether it is food, clothing, or in this case, coffee. Being aware of what products to purchase can trace back and give small business owners such as Jean-Marie a better opportunity to keep growing through Fair Trade. Fair Trade is not only beneficial to the small business owners, but also to the communities in developing countries where workers are often exploited and have little to no rights.
Jean-Marie’s success is inspiring and a wonderful representation of the success fair trade can bring. According to Fair Trade USA’s website, Rice has successfully implemented fair trade practices to benefit thousands of families.
Rice’s comment, “…lifting people out of poverty through trade not aid” reminds me of the old saying, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” I believe the fair trade community is giving and teaching the tools needed for communities to build themselves out of poverty. However, Rice’s concluding comments are vital for fair trade to succeed. Others can have the correct tools, but we, as consumers, need to buy these products. We need to educate ourselves and each other about the benefits and issues of fair trade, as well as the disadvantages and unfair practices that is common outside of fair trade.
Fair trade organizations, events like this conference, and individuals each contribute to the growing awareness for ethically sourced and traded goods. However, further actions are necessary to ensure this awareness carries through to purchasing behavior.
Dear Dr. Musa,
Stumbling into this post makes me once again highlight the recent change of my coffee purchase.
A few weeks ago I read an article of why to buy fair trade coffee, it opened my eyes when I read that about 85% of it is organic coffee, it supports environmental sustainability through organic practices, reducing harmful toxic agrochemicals, pesticides and other chemicals. But most importantly it is fairly priced, supports local communities and eliminates the costly middleman just in the post. Before this article, I never really gave it a thought, but since I read it, I have only purchased Fair Trade Coffee for my coffee machine at home.
It is unbelievable how people take advantage of the hard work of others, and I am glad that Jean-Marie was able to educate himself enough to sell direct to an exporter, this proves once again how important education is. His evolvement put his kids in school and improved the community’s access to local clean water to improve the health of residents, WOW.
As Paul said, “We can make a difference,” most of us will not even feel the difference when purchasing Fair Trade products, and if we do, we are doing something good that supports not only a farmer but a whole community.
What a wonderful story, Thank you for your post.
This post was very interesting and inspirational. As mentioned by Paul Rice, we the consumer have the power to make a difference. I think that it is important that the public is better informed on the positive affects that buying fair trade has. This way they are able to ask more of the companies that they buy from. Today we see that fair trade no longer just applies to food but also to articles of clothing. Just as there is more of a demand now for more sustainable clothing there should more of a demand for fair trade products. It gives a chance to the many people like Jean Marie to be able to succeed along with his family.
Jean-Marie’s story was very inspiring and informative of how beneficial it is to practice fair trade in developing countries. He mentioned, ““Please pay a few cents more for our coffee. It makes a difference.” We don’t take the time to think how the price for what we pay for affects the farmers and workers that produce what we buy. Consumers always look for the “best price” or the “best deal” on items they want to purchase, but if we take the time to think fair trade can widely benefit the living and working conditions in developing countries by just paying a couple of dollars or even cents more. With fair trade Jean-Marie had enough money to support his six kids and put them through school in a country where going to school is a privilege. Fair trade ensures fair prices, living wages, and not only does farmers and workers benefit from it but the community as a whole benefits from it as well. Fair trade provides a voice in how their workplace is run and allows developing countries to increase their share in the global trade.
I loved this article. I think it’s so important to look at the benefits of setting people in poverty up for lifetime success, instead of just giving them handouts. When we just give them handouts, it only temporary might change their situation, however by using the power of trade this man was able to take his profit from some change to $3, giving his children the opportunity to finish high school and graduate. This trade opportunity provided him with a lifetime opportunity to provide for his family, therefore setting his children up to be able to provide for their own families better. I think this really goes back to the importance of trade deals and how we as a country can really help these poverty stricken countries overcome their hardships in a more long term way by participating in these trade deals with them instead of just providing them temporary support with handouts.
From proverty to making a way? This makes a way for anyone possible. Many times people hear about trade and think trade mainly helps the business and economy but it’s the consumers. The ones who need it snd want it that is making the money really roll in. awe are not always able or blessed to find a way out of poverty that is actually helping both poor and rich equally. Coffee? Everyone drinks it, i totally agree with the consumer having the power for being a force to good in the world. We should all be open and supportive that proverty is hitting a new ball game.
Jean-Marie has an inspirational story, he can be seen as a role model whose story can influence fair-trade in other developing countries. Being able to pour back into the community and providing aid and support especially towards unskilled workers makes fair Trade a smart investment. I think promoting entrepreneurship and investing in people is always a great idea, allowing others to succeed and doing so in a way that allows them to be self-sufficient is a win-win for everyone. Consumers do have the power to make the bigger change especially with the level of consumption done by western countries, I really think a shift on what and how we buy, needs to pivot away from cheap and fast products and be directed towards products that come out of farms like Jean-Maries. It would be great to see others follow on this path in whatever other business venture they can succeed in. Becoming more self-reliant is always beneficial for a country as a whole. People just need to be given the opportunity to do so.
First, this was a very touching post! It is excellent seeing someone coming from a struggling financial background, improve his situation by working with the kind of people who are doing the right thing and really start to prosper.I believe the statement made by Paul Rice about his views on the market “market as a powerful force for lifting people out of poverty through trade not aid,” is incredibly important. Establishing international trade with a country in need would help to raise incomes and living standards as poorer countries would be able to export their way to economic development.
I support this idea of giving trade not aid because it the best way to promote economic development through struggling countries and it is not just giving a direct handout. By just giving aid it does not help the country build its own strong independent economy and, aid is frequently subject to vested interests and fails to make real improvements in living standards. Aid does not help in the long run because it may result in dependency from the outside country to giving the foreign aid and would not really help in the long run. When you help establish trade with a country in need it gives the people not only a more reliable source of income but, it also assists to long term self-sufficiency within their economy.
One way we can help countries in need establish fair trade would be to remove any tariff barriers or obstacles to help free trade and opening up markets to competition. We need to then make sure no one is getting taken advantage of with that trade. With the Fair Trade Co-Op helping to outline clear regulations and restrictions this will help to ensure everyone is getting treated fairly and no one is getting taking advantage of.
Additional resources for more info:
http://www.globalization101.org/trade-not-aid/
Paul describing the “market as a powerful force for lifting people out of poverty through trade not aid,” is something that anyone involved in international trade should hear. There are so many small businesses like Jean-Marie’s all around the world. And almost all of these small business owners goals are the same; they just want to make enough money to provide for their family. Paul Rice sharing this story can really help others understand that the consumer can have a big impact on people like Jean-Marie’s life. Instead of just buying goods without knowing where they come from, we should do research and find the source of where they are being made. I’m sure if the consumers knew that Jean-Paul was only making a few cents per pound of coffee while working with a “middle man,” they would demand to see changes.
I have heard of Fair Trade coffee before. Prior to any research on the topic, I knew that: 1.) Fair Trade coffee was more ethical than regular coffee 2.) Farmers did not have to go through a middle man 3) Western culture is among the top consumers of coffee. I learned that the Fair Trade co-op allows farmers from third-world to access credit and connect with buyers and consumers. As I see it, their ten principles are their ten promises. The Fair Trade Movement emphasizes how the consumer has the power to change companies and the market. Overall, companies must strive for benefiting others and being as transparent as possible when dealing business in other countries. If 2 billion people live with less than $2, and a starbucks coffee is $5, the margins are too intense for the producer side of the business to survive. Americans must continue to be educated in something as little as coffee, in order to strike change and goodness into the world.
I love inspiring stories such as this one. Jean-Marie is a real hero for his farming community. By forming the fair trade cooperative and with loans he managed to secure to cut out the middle man when it came to selling his coffee not only benefited him but his entire community. He was able to ensure his children graduated and I’m sure his actions put other members of the co-op in the same position. His actions is helping his community become more educated and with that education the community can advance even more so and create a ripple effect to create a better community. Small actions can make a huge impact, this situation shows us just that.
I have always been interested in the coffee industry. It is unfair that there are a lot of farmers that still sell their coffee at very low prices. Just like there are farmers that still have not learned about the Fair Trade co-operative, there are also many consumers that don’t understand the difference they would make by buying a fair trade item. Products in the U.S. are expensive compared to in other places, but we don’t really question the real reason for that. Jean Marie had been receiving pennies when the middle man was most likely selling it for more. Sometimes in the wrong person who is profiting from the trade being done. The Fair Trade co-operative gives those small farmers a chance to be treated fair. It was great that Jean Marie was able to pass down a message, it sure reminds others how we can help those who need it. It’s sad that although the middle man is not taking advantage of Jean Marie, they are definitely taking advantage of someone else. During our school years, we learned a lot regarding Fair Trade because it ensures that workers are being paid fairly. It’s good that Jean Marie is being paid fairly for his work and I hope other small farmers join also.
This is so great story and this is inspiring me that I want to do something to help them. This is a great step to help support Fair Trade. I know there are many farmers all around the world. Their works not easy and the compensate is not high compared to labor weight so that they need a Fair Trade Co-operation to improve their labor circumstance and salary. Because of this reason, Jean-Marie’s story is helpful to understand the current situations. Also, this shows us that “many drops make water”. For us, this is only a few cents, but for them, this made them finish their academic journey and it improved life conditions. From this story, we are able to see the growing international trade market has unlimited potential to help many farmers life and little attention can help their communities.
I know there are many people need our help to improve their living conditions and this story touch me to do something and I am willing to participate if I have a chance to help them.
After reading this article, I felt inspired to help others within the trade community when I secure the position to do so. The efforts made by Paul Rice to help Jean-Marie are admirable. Having the knowledge and the help, Jean Marie makes enough money to put his children through school and other families that are apart of this fair-trade co-operative agreement. His beliefs of using sales and trade market to help a person out of poverty by teaching the trading techniques instead of helping them with actual aid is a different but successful approach. I hope he continues to help others through these initiatives.
This ties directly to my Honduras import/export mini assignment. This is just proving that poor and developing countries are truly being negatively effected by the mass coffee market who may be using these coffee brokers/”middle men”. With a majority of these people living in poverty, any and every kind of help can benefit these hard working farmers. Seeing how the Fair Trade co-ops and loans allowed Jean-Marie to increase his price from a few cents to $3 made all the difference in the world to someone living in his situation. Fair Trade needs to be a prominent and pressing issue so that the profits that are being made are also positively impacting these farmers and other type of labor workers thousands of miles away. Us as consumers can make a difference by doing our due diligence and research the products we are purchasing and consuming in order to make sure the money is going towards more ethical companies and people.
Paul Rice, who is the founder and CEO of Fair-Trade USA, believes that by using the sales and trade market, you could help a person out of poverty by teaching the trading techniques instead of helping them with actual aid. He also believes trading could pull a whole community out of prosperity if done correctly for anyone who joins the fair-trade co-op. He gave an example of this at The National Fair-Trade campaigns conference where he met a coffee farmer by the name of Jean-Marie who only made pennies for his pounds of coffee in Rwanda. After helping the farmer gain intel on trading and helping secure loans, Paul was able to help lift the profit for the coffee from pennies to around 3 dollars and Jean-Marie cut out the middleman that he sold his coffee to and linked him to a buyer directly. Having this knowledge and the help, Jean-Marie makes enough money to put his children through school and other families that are apart of this fair-trade co-operative agreement. After reading this article, I felt inspired to help others within the trade community when I secure the position to do so. The efforts made by Paul Rice to help Jean-Marie are admirable.
Reading this post put a smile on my face. I completely agree that consumers have the power as to what is in the market. Because of that, we should spend a few cents more to support fair trade and the farmers. The consumers will also get great products. Reading Jean-Marie’s story was also so inspiring and heartwarming. I feel so proud of him and his accomplishments. I also think it’s great that Paul is shedding light into fair trade. Many of these farmers are treated unfairly and can barely make ends meet. Not many people know much about fair trade, so I think this is a great start. I look forward to see what Paul has in the future!
I love hearing stories about how Fair Trade is helping communities like these in countries in East Africa. Especially the past that Rwanda had with almost losing 75% of their people during the genocide they had about 25 years ago. This is a great step in a bright future. Fair Trade is so important to countries like this where they’re using getting exploit and abuse to make a living. It’s important for companies to show and be transparent during their supply chain. The customer finding out where their coffee comes and how exactly their spending their money is crucial. The fact the Jean was getting paid a cent for his product and how simply $3 change his life is crazy. If more consumers knew about Fair Trade it will help fair trade go into more countries like Rwanda and help companies be more transparent. It would be easier for companies to be transparent with their products and gain more loyal customers.
This post correlates to my final project I presented to the class. From my research and own personal understanding, the workforce in many countries in Africa are agriculturally based. I found it very interesting as well that goods that are easy to come by for us Americans such as tennis shoes were not so easy to attain and the golden ticket to a better future in certain African countries. If you have shoes, you can attend high school and potentially graduate and go on to progress further, but none of this would be possible without something as simple as a pair of tennis shoes. This makes me want to pay closer attention to where the coffee brands I enjoy get their beans from. I am definitely more inclined to purchasing and supporting businesses who purchase and sell African coffee and/or coffee bean in hopes that my purchase here in America will benefit a family somewhere in Africa so that they may be able to purchase a pair of sneakers in order to send their children to high school so that they may prosper and go on to do bigger and better things.
After reading the inspiring article about Paul Rice’s presentation, which about the trip to Rwanda, I did some research about the Fair Trade USA, which is “an independent, non-profit organization that sets standards, certifies and labels products that promote sustainable livelihoods for farmers and workers and protect the environment.” Over the past 21 years, the organization helps the farmers to sell over 1 billion pounds of coffee beans through fair trade. The fair trade is not only helping to boost the local economy, but also supporting the family, community, and education for the farmers.
It is truly great to hear how the power of trade can really help make a difference in our world. We see a clear example of this with Jean Marie who was a typical coffee farmer in Rwandan that was struggling to provide for himself and his family. When his business joined the Fair Trade co-operative, this was a life changing opportunity for them. Not only were they able to expand their business but their income also grew. By simply being able to sell directly to an exporter and cutting out the middle man they were able to substantially grow their income from pennies to dollars. Our duty is to continue to support the import/export trade as it provides businesses such as Jean-Marie’s coffee farm and allows them to provide for their families and communities.
Reading Jean-Marie’s story was truly uplifting and inspiring. I am familiar with Fair Trade USA as I know they work closely with brands such as Patagonia & Target promoting the production of garments made under ethical conditions. Their initiation to make the supply chain more honorable and transparent by letting the community have a voice in how they lead their lives with better health care and local clean water should be considered a basic human right. I strive to only shop ethical, especially when buying my food, as the extra dollar is worth every penny that’s put in the hands of hardworking people such as Jean-Marie. Rice’s mission to build a more equitable trade relationship for local farmers in Rwanda is one I wish to see more of in our world and help push forward myself one day!
These kinds of articles make me very happy. I’m very proud of Jean-Marie for stepping up and taking the business in his hands. I think one of the factors that took him so long to make a change is his business (supply chain) is his education. Jean-Marie is a very hard worker but unfortunately not very educated. Otherwise, in my opinion, he would come up with a solution to raise the price of a product faster.
I actually was trying to find more information about Jean-Marie but found a different Jean-Marie from Rwanda and he’s also a coffee bean farmer. He also brings a lot of changes to Rwanda, constantly working on sustainable technologies that help to clean up and filter water because of coffee beans.
There are definitely some changes starting to happen in Rwanda, farmers are not coffee cherry producers anymore. They are coffee entrepreneurs.
This blog post was very inspiring and I am glad that I got insight on what an event like this would be. As an economy we are slowly starting to realize that only providing aid for countries will not help it thrive. Investing money into the countries through trade is the gift that keeps on giving. It is easy to be tricked into selling your item for cheaper than it actually is. I am happy to see that through the Fair trade co-op Jean-Marie was able to make an incredible margin. Seeing the positive effects of what trade can do for Rwanda reminds me why I chose International Trade & Marketing as my major. Being able to have a small part in the future of trade and possibly helping future generations of children be educated simply by providing them funds for shoes for their school is amazing.
It is great to highlight Fair Trade! This is something that we need to educate consumers and our industry more on. It is essential for our industry to help support Fair Trade and grow the topic.
The story of Jean-Marie is very inspiring. Like many farmers around the world, he works hard and doesn’t get enough for his product. With the use of a Fair Trade co-operative, he is helping to change his community and improve not only his life but many others.
When dealing with international trade, we need to work to import more Fair Trade products to help give benefits to the Fair Trade co-operatives. The cycle for Fair Trade gives workers a chance to make a better profit and build up their communities. With the start of more money coming in through trade, the communities will be able to improve living conditions. International trade can provide a major life changing impact for people around the world. In the US, we can work to advocate for more Fair Trade importing and help change the world through our industry! International Trade done right can truly change people’s lives. For not much more money, we can import Fair Trade co-operative products and help build communities around the world.
Wow! I thought this particular event was extremely intriguing. Jean-Marie was definitely a prime example on how you can overcome poverty with the power of the market. With only minimal education, Jean-Marie was able to master his one acre farm and receiving only a few pennies, to maximizing profits for his business. He founds ways to physically turn his coffee beans into coffee. Selling directly to the exporter saved him any cost associated with the middle man and led to more revenue. I found it very inspiring how he put all his six kids through school when he started off only making a few pennies daily. I believe that this presentation shows that passion, the correct marketing and knowledge can really lead your business in the right direction. Targeting and learning your consumers is imperative.