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Celebrate Whole Trade February
| Meet the Blogger | More Posts by Chris Jensen
It's Whole Trade Month, which means time to celebrate the Whole Trade Guarantee and the hard-working folks who produce these outstanding products. By no coincidence, Whole Trade Month falls around Valentine's Day, when we often think about chocolate and roses, two of our staple Whole Trade products. But the Whole Trade Guarantee encompasses so much more. From bananas to coffee to body care, we sources thousands of items from producers who share our commitment to quality, the environment and healthy working conditions.
But, before we go much further, maybe we should take a step back and reintroduce the Whole Trade program for those who are unfamiliar.
We believe that small choices you make every day really make a difference in the world. The Whole Trade Guarantee allows our customers to use their buying power to create new economic opportunities for workers in the developing world. The program includes products that are grown organically or respect the Earth without formal organic certification.
Strictly speaking, our Whole Trade Guarantee promises that every product meets the following criteria:
- Meets our high quality standards
- Provides more money to producers
- Ensures better wages and working conditions for workers
- Cares for the environment
We believe we have a responsibility toward all entities involved in our business: our customers, shareholders, Team Members, suppliers and the environment. The Whole Trade program allows us to extend this commitment to our producers in developing countries. In fact, we currently support communities in more than 50 countries via the Whole Trade program. Check out our interactive map, which shows these countries at a glance.
Whole Trade is your passport to exploring the world at its most delicious, exotic and beautiful while empowering hard-working farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs in developing countries. Throughout the month, we'll be telling the stories of some of these very people. We hope you find them as inspiring as we do.
Be sure to look for the Whole Trade Guarantee logo the next time you are in our store, and rest assured that when you pick up a Whole Trade product, you are making a difference.
What's your favorite Whole Trade product?
151 Comments
Comments
I never realized that becoming involved with whole foods would lead to so much other great stuff!! I feel like I've been so out of the loop in not only what's good for my health but what's good for the world. Thank you, and I will be definitely buying all sorts of products to help (and of course for enjoyment!) including your lotions and bath products! This winter skin is horrible!!
02/17/2010 7:28:46 PM CST
I'm all for whole trade products and supporting small farmers and workers around the world, especially in developing countries. Living in a cold climate, I love the hot chocolate on a cold winter night. I shop at Whole Foods every week. Love the bananas in a smoothie with blueberries. The face cream works wonders when the air is so dry in the winter.
02/17/2010 7:42:06 PM CST
I am just a good consumer looking to buy things. If that can help my family, my environment and if it helps others well isn't that the way things should just be?
02/17/2010 7:45:32 PM CST
Very important to me is better wages and working conditons for worker. Ethical treatment of all people and animals is a priority in deciding where to shop. Whole Foods partnering with the Whole Trade practice and philosophy is key.
02/17/2010 7:52:37 PM CST
I always buy whatever Whole Trade products I find. Not only are they great products, it just makes good sense to help in whatever way we can. I now have several friends who do the same. We all need to work together.
02/17/2010 7:53:28 PM CST
Whole Trade products meet high quality standards, take care of the enviroment, provides more money to producers, and ensures adequate wages and working conditions for the workers.
My favorite fair traade products are banannas and roobios tea.
02/17/2010 7:56:00 PM CST
My husband just gave me fair trade earrings from Brazil and a fair trade brooch from Bali for Valentine's Day. They are both lovely and special. We try to put our money where our values are.
02/17/2010 8:06:29 PM CST
I just recently found out what significance these products have not only for the people who produce them, but for those who use them. As companies become larger and larger, the products become more and more contaminated. These corporations not only pollute our bodies, they pollute our earth. I love buying the fair trade products not only for thier taste and superiority, but it's very satisfying to know what you are supporting by choosing these brands. My favorite product is the fair trade brownies, yum!
02/17/2010 8:24:33 PM CST
Buying Whole Trade Products is an easy way to help others and get quality and useful products.
02/17/2010 8:29:03 PM CST
Our main focus in buying personal care products for our family is 1st- that they are cruelty free (no animal testing) and 2nd- that they don't contain potential carcinogens. Those are the two basic criteria, but it's an extra bonus to us when we can buy fair trade products. Part of the cruelty free philosophy is a bigger picture of trying to maintain habitats for native species. Industrialization in the western mold is horrible for native habitats. If the kind of fair trade collectives like the ones used by Every Day Shea, are far less disruptive to native species as well as helping people live better lives, directly, simply and efficiently. Lastly, the fact that these fair trade or "Whole Trade" products directly benefit women's lives who are often excluded from the economic benefits of global trade. Good Job All Around!
02/17/2010 8:34:47 PM CST
Nothing could describe Whole Food Trade, Divine Chocolate! It is creamy and super choclatey for the chocolate lover with diserning taste.
02/17/2010 8:37:01 PM CST
I like whole trade purchase because it feels like you are supporting people and their families with meaningful work, lives and income. And just the fact that it still exists and will continue to exist if we support it.
02/17/2010 8:41:04 PM CST
SIMPLY BECAUSE, THEY ARE WONDERFUL PRODUCTS AND IT MAKES ME FEEL SOOOO GOOD.
02/17/2010 8:47:29 PM CST
SIMPLY BECAUSE THE PRODUCTS ARE WONDERFUL AND IT MAKES ME FEEL SOOOOO GOOD.
02/17/2010 8:48:13 PM CST
SIMPLY BECAUSE THE PRODUCTS ARE SOOO GOOD AND IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD.
02/17/2010 8:49:03 PM CST
whole foods is the best at what it does for the world!
02/17/2010 8:49:57 PM CST
SIMPLY THE PRODUCTS ARE SOOO GOOD AND IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD.
02/17/2010 8:50:10 PM CST
It's good to see more company's and people doing the right thing when it comes to Mother Earth!
02/17/2010 8:51:17 PM CST
Being a small family farm member has many challenges. Earning a family supporting wage is difficult anywhere these days in the agricultural community.Taking care of the earth is a no brainer.Organic food is good for everyone, including mother earth. Please support organic food, you'll be glad you did.
02/17/2010 8:54:33 PM CST
Products like this can only make you feel good inside and out!
02/17/2010 8:58:55 PM CST
I love the quality of the Whole Trade products- and the taste of the coffee is outstanding!
02/17/2010 9:04:55 PM CST
I believe in supporting Whole Trade because of not only the quality you get but also knowing you are helping the environment and supporting the workers of this company.
02/17/2010 9:07:37 PM CST
I appreciate the opportunity to use my buying power to create economic opportunities for workers in developing countries.
02/17/2010 9:16:15 PM CST
I really feel good about spending my money with companies and small business that support a healthy and labor fair value.
Spread the wealth and enjoy the health.
02/17/2010 9:40:50 PM CST
It truly comes from the earth!
02/17/2010 9:44:51 PM CST