Fair trade. Chances are that you have seen those two words accompanied by a small logo on special types of coffee, chocolate, and cotton that usually make them more expensive than their name-brand counterparts in the grocery aisle. But what does "fair trade" even mean? Most people associate fair trade with a product that is $2 more than its name brand or generic counterpart for no reason other than to swindle more money from the hard-working, tax-paying consumer. This definition could not be further from the truth.

In order to explain why you need to solely purchase fair trade goods, I will explain what the term means and why it is needed first. According to Fair Trade International, fair trade is, "a global trade model that allows consumers to quickly identify products that were produced in an ethical manner." But what exactly is an "ethical manner" you may ask? Good question! In short, it means that everyone, from the farmers who harvested the coffee beans to the factory worker who made your daily cup of coffee a reality were compensated a living wage in a safe working environment. (aka nobody was exploited or taken advantage of) Sounds simple enough, right?

Unfortunately, most Americans do not understand all of the benefits of fair trade and are caught up with the minor price difference. We are accustomed to our first-world luxury of minimum wage laws, fair conditions, and other laws by our country that assure our dignity as a worker. Unfortunately, the majority of the countries who provide us with the goods we consume today do not have the same laws in place and workers, especially children, can be taken advantage of for their labor. Everyone has heard of sweatshops in countries like China and Indonesia, but have you heard of child slaves in the Ivory Coast of Africa who are forced to work on the cocoa farms for little to no pay in order to bring us the sweet chocolate we Americans adore so much? Or even those who are exploited on coffee plantations for your daily cup of Joe? What about the forced labor in Uzbekistan that is responsible for your favorite cotton tea? The truth is, because of our high rate of consumption and demand for cheap goods as a society, we must come all come together and demand change. But how does change happen and how can you help?

First, I encourage you all to vote with your dollar. Refuse to participate in the enslavement of others for your goods by refusing to support it. This can be achieved by assuring that all, or even the majority of the goods you purchase did not involve others being taken advantage of. An easy way to check if a product is fair trade is to look for this snazzy logo:

Buying fair trade is typically more expensive, mostly because the workers involved in the production of that product are not being exploited for their labor, but they are also typically higher quality as well. Honestly, I get it. We are college students and on a very strict budget. Buying any coffee at all can be a luxury we cannot always afford, let alone the more expensive one that has a funny logo on it attempting to validate the price difference. But in the great scheme of things, think about the difference that the extra $2 or $3 you are paying is making on the lives of those who were previously marginalized and taken advantage of.

Another question I would like to highlight is a concern from many consumers about what fair trade coffee and chocolate taste like. I have shocking news for all of you: THEY TASTE THE SAME AS REGULAR PRODUCTS. The only difference is that those who are working for your ability to indulge in these products are being treated with the dignity that all humans are due.

All in all, while fair trade products may be more of a financial burden, think of all the good you are doing for the world. Also, use this as a way to challenge yourself and practice simplicity. Instead of buying copious amounts of Hersheys chocolate that you will most likely regret later, use that same money to buy a smaller amount of fair trade certified chocolate that is equally as satisfying.

Buying fair trade is easier than you think! You don't have to be a patron soley at Whole Paycheck, I mean Whole Foods to buy fair trade! This is possible at your nearest Target, Vons, and even CVS and especially these companies. So, go out friends and enjoy your fair trade coffee and chocolate in peace knowing that nobody was taken advantage of for your products. Feel free to do your happy dance knowing that your indulgence was benefitting somebody and attempting to correct the injustice in this world, even in a slight manner. Personally, I think that makes fair trade chocolate even sweeter than.