If the name Paul Rice doesn’t sound familiar to you, you’re almost certainly aware of what he’s known for, and that is Fair Trade USA, the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the US. Paul is the founder—and, until recently, CEO—of Fair Trade USA, which launched in 1998 and, since then, has challenged and collaborated with hundreds of companies to rework their global supply chains to secure high-quality products that support community development and environmental protection. Big names like Nespresso, Whole Foods, Costco, Target, Patagonia, and J. Crew—and Fair Trade also certifies fresh produce, fish, tea, sugar … you get the picture.
You’ve seen the Fair Trade label, even if you don’t know it, and it’s considered to be the leading mark of sustainability and responsible sourcing in North America.
Paul’s recent book, Every Purchase Matters: How Fair Trade Farmers, Companies and Consumers Are Changing the World tells the story of the last 30 years of Fair Trade, from a handful of coffee cooperatives to more than 1700 brands today. The book will likely inspire you to think carefully about how your own purchasing decisions can literally change lives. It’s something I try to be better at, and it’s good to know that we have these sorts of resources—and resourceful people—to help.
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