FAIR TRADE
PAUL RICE 
After spending 11 years helping develop cooperatives in Nicaragua, Paul Rice believed that something better was possible for farmers worldwide. In 1998, Rice launched TransFair USA from a converted warehouse in downtown Oakland. Today, TransFair is the only US certifier of Fair Trade products, harnessing the power of business to avoid exploitation in the global supply chain. By auditing transactions between licensed companies and Fair Trade producers, TransFair ensures that each product bearing the Fair Trade Certified label has been produced according to international standards.
"The impact of Fair Trade goes far beyond money," Rice says. "It is dignity, power, and hope. U.S. consumers have become unwilling accomplices because we enjoy the cheap products brought to us by global manufacturing chains. We must give companies incentives and tools to take care of workers and the environment without sacrificing profitability."
By building social responsibility, environmental sustainability, supply chain transparency and corporate accountability into the new global business model, TransFair has successfully channeled
The impact of Fair Trade goes far beyond money. It is dignity, power, and hope.
PAUL RICE |
nearly $85 million in above-market pricing to farm workers in some of the poorest countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa. Every dollar invested in TransFair over the past six years has resulted in $7 of additional income for Fair Trade farmers. Ashoka took notice of Rice’s extraordinary progress by awarding him a fellowship in 2000. In 2006, TransFair received Fast Company's Social Capitalist Award for the third year in a row in recognition of its groundbreaking work. According to Rice, SVN has provided him with an opportunity to share his story and encourage more business leaders to embrace Fair Trade practices. "SVN members represent a highly influential community of people," he says. "I feel privileged to be able to inspire them to make Fair Trade a part of their businesses and everyday lives."
Other companies like Equal Exchange, ForesTrade, Guayakí Organic Yerba Mate and Indigenous Designs are leading the charge by supporting Fair Trade practices.
Idea 16: NATURAL BEAUTY CARE →
