Fair Trade

WCCN believes fair trade is about creating socially just, equitable trade opportunities between North and South. Empowerment and education are essential to the fair trade movement. Fair trade creates a socially just trade model in which producers in the South are empowered to actively participate in their own economic decision-making. Meanwhile, in the North, consumers are educated about ethical consumption and utilize their wallets to help facilitate social change.

WCCN’s Involvement in Fair Trade in Nicaragua

Coffee is one of Nicaragua’s largest exports. The volatility of the world coffee markets has negatively affected small producers worldwide. WCCN believes fair trade coffee production has been an excellent tool to establish ties between small scale producers organized in cooperatives, and consumers in the North, willing to pay a fair price for a product produced in both an ethical and environmentally friendly manner.

WCCN’s work in fair trade has been largely educational. We sponsor two study tours each year in which participants have the opportunity to meet with fair trade coffee producers and learn what happens before coffee reaches U.S. markets. We also publish articles online and in our newsletter regarding the latest trends and happenings in Nicaraguan fair trade. Additionally, WCCN participates in Madison’s Fair Trade Holiday Festival each year and sells fairly traded Nicaraguan pottery from the community of San Juan de Oriente.

Additionally, WCCN also recently began providing financial and marketing assistance to two Nicaraguan organizations supporting fair trade coffee producers. Visit our Fair Trade Projects to learn more about the coffee coops and producers with which WCCN partners.