Exhibiting at Seafood Expo North America 2025

Fair Trade USA is a leading non-profit organization and third-party certifier headquartered in Oakland, California. Established in 1998, the organization has pioneered the fair trade movement in the United States, creating sustainable solutions for global supply chains and improving the lives of farmers, workers, and fishermen across the world. With a mission to build a more equitable and transparent trading model, Fair Trade USA sets rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards for businesses and producers alike.

Core Business

Fair Trade USA serves as a trusted certifying body for fair trade goods, providing companies and consumers with the assurance that products bearing the Fair Trade Certified™ label meet globally recognized standards. Its work spans multiple sectors, including agriculture, seafood, apparel, and home goods. By certifying products, the organization facilitates responsible sourcing while generating tangible benefits for producers, such as community development funds and improved working conditions.

Product and Service Offerings

Fair Trade USA certifies a wide array of product categories, including:

• Coffee: One of its largest certification categories, supporting smallholder farmers worldwide.
• Tea & Herbs: Certified from plantations and small-scale producers.
• Cocoa & Sugar: Improving livelihoods in Latin America and West Africa.
• Fresh Produce: Includes bananas, avocados, berries, and other fruits and vegetables.
• Seafood: The first U.S.-based certifier to launch fair trade standards for wild-caught seafood.
• Apparel & Home Goods: Focused on ethical labor practices in factories and textile supply chains.

Each product certified through Fair Trade USA meets strict criteria focused on environmental sustainability, fair labor practices, and direct economic benefit to producers.

Specialization and Core USP

Fair Trade USA is uniquely positioned as the most prominent fair trade certifier in North America. Its key strengths include:

• Community Development: Over $846 million in financial benefits have been delivered to workers and farmers since inception.
• Consumer Trust: Products bearing the Fair Trade Certified™ label are recognized by over 65% of U.S. consumers.
• Corporate Partnerships: Collaborates with over 1,500 companies including Walmart, Costco, Whole Foods, Patagonia, and Target.
• Innovation in Certification: Developed the first-ever Fair Trade standard for wild-caught seafood and for factory labor in the U.S.

Fair Trade USA empowers producers to make autonomous decisions about how to invest in their communities through the Fair Trade Community Development Fund generated from certification premiums.

Financial Overview

Fair Trade USA operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is funded through a mix of certification service fees, grants, and donations. Key financial metrics from its 2022 annual report include:

• Annual Revenue: $26.8 million
• Program Expenses: $21.4 million (80% allocated to program services)
• Certification Fees: Account for approximately 60% of total revenue
• Grant Support: Received over $5 million in grants from philanthropic organizations including the Skoll Foundation and USAID

This financial structure enables Fair Trade USA to maintain its independence as a certifier while scaling its impact globally.

Shipment and Market Penetration

While Fair Trade USA does not directly handle product shipments, its certification programs have significantly influenced global trade volumes. Based on available data:

• Certified Coffee: Over 225 million pounds sold in 2022
• Certified Produce: Over 340 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in 2022
• Certified Apparel: Partnerships with over 40 global factories impacting 75,000+ workers
• Certified Seafood: Supported the sale of over 8.8 million pounds of seafood in 2022 from fisheries in Indonesia, Mexico, and the U.S.

Fair Trade USA products are distributed across 35+ countries, with the U.S. being the primary consumer market.

Target Markets

Fair Trade USA primarily targets:

• Retail Chains: Including Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Costco
• Food & Beverage Brands: Starbucks, Dunkin’, Green Mountain Coffee, Honest Tea
• Apparel Brands: Patagonia, J.Crew, Athleta, Madewell
• Hospitality & Institutional Buyers: Universities, hotels, and foodservice providers

Its certifications provide added value and transparency for companies looking to meet consumer demand for ethically sourced products.

Capabilities

• Global Standards Development: Builds and maintains internationally benchmarked certification frameworks.
• Third-party Auditing Network: Uses independent auditing firms like SCS Global Services and FLO-CERT.
• Data & Impact Measurement: Advanced monitoring and evaluation systems to track improvements in income, health, and education.
• Marketing & Labeling Support: Offers communication tools to help brands educate consumers on fair trade benefits.

Certifications and Compliance

Fair Trade USA certifications adhere to globally recognized benchmarks such as:

• ISEAL Alliance Code Compliance: Ensures credibility and transparency in certification programs.
• SA8000 Labor Standards Alignment
• Environmental Safeguards: Requires integrated pest management, biodiversity protection, and limits on chemical use.
• Child Labor Prohibition: Strict guidelines enforced across all certification categories.

Producers undergo annual audits and must implement continuous improvement plans to maintain certification.

Customer Testimonials

“Fair Trade Certified helps us demonstrate to customers that we are sourcing responsibly and supporting workers' rights globally.” — Sustainability Director, Walmart

“Partnering with Fair Trade USA allows us to empower the people who grow our coffee and deliver measurable impact.” — Sourcing Manager, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

Major Achievements

• Delivered over $846 million in cumulative financial benefit to workers and producers since inception
• Developed the first U.S. fair trade standard for wild-caught seafood
• Supported over 1.3 million farmers and workers in 51 countries
• Named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the social good category
• Recognized by the UN Global Compact and World Economic Forum for sustainable sourcing leadership

Fair Trade USA continues to lead the global movement for ethical sourcing and consumer transparency by building partnerships that prioritize people and the planet.