Through information handouts, seminars, videos and other special events, FTF retail shops provide opportunities for consumers to get to know the people behind the products they buy. Some of the larger retailer outlets work directly with producers on product design, quality control, management and shipping and invest a percentage of the store's profits in loans or technical assistance for producer groups. Retail catalogs are available from a number of FTF members to enable consumers to shop with a conscience from the comfort of their living rooms, either from mail order catalogs or online catalogs . Wholesalers Many FTF members wholesale products from around the world. They work with artisans and farmers from all regions of the world, from the Peruvian Andes to the tropical forests of Madagascar.
Wholesalers sell products to both mainstream as well as fair trade retail stores.
Producers Producer groups and associations make up a small number of FTF members. The producer groups and associations who are listed in the directory are committed to paying living wages, providing safe and healthy working conditions, involving workers in decision making and creating high quality products. While benefiting producer groups is the ultimate goal of the Fair Trade Federation, it is linked to these groups primarily through the work of its retail and wholesale members. If you would like to support Fair Trade through your purchases, we encourange you to shop at the FTF member businesses listed through the buttons at the bottom of this page. Last updated on February 26, 2001.