october is fair trade month

Do you believe in supporting workers’ rights? How about efforts toward fair and equitable pay and safe working conditions? Sustainable community development? Environmentally responsible growing practices? If you align with any of these ideas, walk the talk with your grocery trips. It may not seem like it, but the bananas, chocolate, and coffee you buy matter on a global scale. October is Fair Trade month, and you have the power to direct your dollar toward positive change by choosing products that are Fair Trade certified. This small mark indicates big global impact. 

what does fair trade mean?

The definition of Fair Trade is “a global movement made up of a diverse network of producers, companies, consumers, advocates and organizations putting people and planet first.”

Like other certifications such as Organic, earning the Fair Trade certification requires true investment and commitment to ethical sourcing, safer working conditions, and fair pay leading to improved wellbeing for workers, and ongoing efforts toward environmental sustainability. In the 25+ years it has existed, the Fair Trade Certified collective has contributed over $1 billion directly to grower communities. 

fair trade certified partners

Wedge Community Co-ops and Co-op Partners Warehouse (CPW) are proud to work with many Fair Trade Certified partners. Equal Exchange is consistently our highest volume sourcing partner for bananas and avocados. In 2025 alone, CPW customers purchased: 

• 3,110,400 Fair Trade organic bananas
• 479,940 Fair Trade organic avocados
• Totaling $1,011,820 directly paid to growers in Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico.  

Equal Exchange’s banana program goes above and beyond any organic importers in our country by way of Fair Trade status and cooperative development. In 2025, over $60,000 in social premiums went to biodynamic, organic soil inputs, a circular plastic recycling program, and leadership training in the co-op structure. Read about our trip to Rio y Valle Co-op in Peru with Equal Exchange in 2025. 

Covilli, another foundational Fair Trade partner, is based in the Empalme Valley on the southwest coast of Sonora, Mexico. Covilli was one of the first growing operations in the Empalme Valley, and deliberately built a socially & environmentally responsible business. CPW sources tomatoes, summer squash, green beans, peppers, brussels sprouts and more from Covilli, which are in turn purchased by Wedge Co-ops, and many other grocery co-ops throughout the Upper Midwest. Today, Covilli is the only 100% organic and 100% fair-trade fresh produce operation in North America. 

One example of the impact to public health is the Nuchi Sansekan Health Clinic in Triunfo de Santa Rosa, Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico. Opened in 2018, the clinic offers general and preventative care for adults and children, and was completely funded by Fair Trade Premium dollars.  

Arizona-based Fair Trade certified Wholesum Family Farms is a partner we source flavorful, colorful snacking tomatoes from year round. Since establishing certification in 2013, Wholesum has earned over $12,000,000 for community development projects. In 2025 alone, over $830,000 went toward health care efforts, meals for school children, technology access, and more- all thanks to Fair Trade premiums.

vote with your dollars

Fair Trade is a system rooted in mutual respect, partnership, and building communities that thrive. It is a conscious, everyday choice for a better world. We’re all a part of the value chain of the global food system, and we all need to eat. Consumption is a part of life, so choose to uplift the people growing, harvesting, and caring for your food– choose Fair Trade.