Organic Thought Fair Trade Principles

It is very important that people and businesses conduct in honest and fair trade with producers in developing countries. Far too often people making products in these cheap labor countries are exploited. Organic Thought has taken great measures to insure all people involved in Organic Thought, producers and consumers, are treated fair and with complete honesty.

I personally visit each home, village, and shop, to insure the following fair trade principles are implemented in person:

CREATE OPPORTUNITIES
Create opportunities for disadvantaged people who are unable to compete in worthwhile markets. With the oncome of Globalization, handmade clothes in Peru and Bolivia have depreciated in value in favor of machine made brand names. As a result, families who have only this single skill, knitting, to earn an income struggle to survive. Their only hope is to sell to tourist shops who pay them a few dollars for days of work. It is the objevtice of Organic Thought to create employment and marketing oppurtunites for these families so they can improve their living conditions and work towards sustainable solutions.

BE TRANSPARENT AND HONEST
Inform the producer of the entire operation and all aspects of the transaction so the producer can make informed decisions that are for their own best interest.

PAY A FAIR PRICE
The producers have equal power in the relationship and therefore they are able to demand a price that best suit their interests. Dialogue is on-going to assure both parties are informed and pleased with the entire transaction. Full payment is made before the product is made and made according to the schedule of the producer.

TREAT ALL GENDERS EQUALLY
Properly value work from all genders. Almost all knitters consist of women but it is important no one is discriminated against because of their gender.

INSURE SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS
Insure a safe and healthy working environment. Organic Thought does not participate in any trade that harms the natural environment or compromises the health of the producer or the neighboring communities.