Source : http://www.transfairusa.org/content/certification/tea_program.php
Tea & Herb Program
Overview
Fair
Trade Certified™ tea and herbs offer consumers an opportunity to enjoy
a quality product that directly benefits the lives of producers and
their families in developing countries worldwide. The Fair Trade
Certified Tea and Herb Program includes products derived from the Tea
plant of the Camellia family (Camellia sinensis and/or Camellia assamica), Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), and plants in the Mint genus (Mentha), including Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata). Fair Trade Certified tea was launched in 2001, rooibos in 2005, and chamomile, hibiscus and mint in 2006.
There
are over 70 FLO-certified tea estates and small-scale producer groups
in 11 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America. Fair Trade
supports a better life for tea workers by guaranteeing compliance with
national and regional minimum wages and labor standards. Fair Trade
secures freedom of association for farmers and workers, and facilitates
democratic decision-making processes. Small-scale tea producers gain
direct market access and improve business capacity. Fair Trade
promotes the use of sustainable farming methods that are safer for
humans and the environment.
For every
kilo of Fair Trade Certified product purchased, the U.S. importer is
responsible for sending the Fair Trade premium to an elected
association of workers and management, called a Joint Body, at each tea
estate. The Joint Body allocates the premium to areas of greatest need,
which is determined democratically and used for projects that benefit
the entire community. In the case of small-scale producer groups, this
elected body is comprised of fellow farmers. Fair Trade premiums have
financed new computer learning centers and educational endowments, and
healthcare programs that include nutrition, family planning, special
medical needs, clean drinking water and toilets for every household.
Fair
Trade Certified products are now available in over 35,000 retail
locations nationwide, from national retailers and world-class
restaurants, to independent cafes and grocery stores. This unique
emerging market has been covered in Time, Newsweek, USA Today, and
newspapers and trade publications worldwide.
Tea
is one of the fastest growing Fair Trade Certified product categories,
with Fair Trade Certified tea imports increasing an unprecedented 187%
in 2005. TransFair USA works with over 70 North American companies and
a wide variety of brands
that offer Fair Trade Certified specialty tea and herb products,
including loose leaf, bagged teas, RTD bottled teas and chai blends,
kombucha bottled teas, and foods containing Fair Trade Certified tea
extracts such as green tea mints, ice cream and nutritional bars. Fair
Trade Certified rooibos and herbs offer caffeine-free options for Fair
Trade tea enthusiasts, and countless ingredient opportunities for the
culinary, nutraceutical and herbal supplement markets. A growing
number of major specialty tea and herb importers are now licensed to
distribute Fair Trade Certified products, providing a range of sourcing
options.