Friends of the Third World Information

Since 1972 we, a non-profit organization, have been empowering people all over the world to overcome poverty and prime the fair trade markets for the growing demand for economic justice. Today large corporations have discovered “fair trade”, at least as an option for consumers. McDonald’s is offering fair trade coffee in New England, Starbucks is purchasing some coffee on fair trade terms; and now Walmart will offer fair trade coffee from Brazil. The problem is that these corporate programs threaten to water-down key principles of fair trade. Friends of the Third World will continue to work for economic justice through ongoing fair trade development for crafts, coffee, tea and other products made by millions of people escaping the grip of poverty.