Commitments

Fair trade at Les Jardins de Gaïa: concrete commitments

Publish on 11.08.2024 by Gaia Gardens

Convinced that responsible consumption should be the norm, we have been committed since our beginnings in 1994 to ensuring that the producers we work with are paid a fair wage for their work, live in decent conditions and have their rights respected. Today, over 75% of our products are WFTO-labeled, but our commitments go even further:

We are committed to purchasing volumes from our producers at fair prices;
We pre-finance harvests up to 50-60% and provide regular aid (subsidies for building construction, schools, purchase of agricultural equipment, etc.);
We support projects that ensure sustainable development and improved living conditions for workers and their families;
We make producers aware of the benefits of preserving biodiversity, and even of biodynamic agriculture;
We give priority to small-scale producers, who are the most vulnerable to international trade techniques.

Promoting fair trade is part of our history

Organic farming and fair trade have always been inseparable in the mind of Les Jardins de Gaïa's founder, Arlette Rohmer, and the idea of having to justify fair practices with labels even seemed incongruous at the time. Today, however, these labels have become a necessity, and Les Jardins de Gaïa comply with them as clearly and transparently as possible.

From the outset, Arlette Rohmer's wish has been to work directly with "small producers", so as to be able to promote agriculture on a human scale, multiply the choices and more easily improve the quality of the teas as they are harvested.

For Arlette Rohmer, "The exploitation of man by man is not inevitable. Developing harmonious commercial relations, respectful of others, are values with which we do not compromise. It takes more effort and patience, but it's worth it.

At Les Jardins de Gaïa, we are convinced that we owe our success to the close ties that have bound us for years to the producers with whom we work hand in hand, whom we know personally and whom we see regularly when we visit their farms.

In these relationships, the precise specifications of the labels we have adopted for their relevance, are excellent measurement tools on which we can rely to improve and develop the producers' projects as well as our commercial practices.

The choice of historic and trusted labels

Fair Trade France: the historic choice

In 2012, we joined the Fair Trade platform, which has since become Fair Trade France, in order to improve our efficiency and move forward on issues that are dear to us, relating to respect for everyone's work. The Fair Trade Fortnight is organized around the world to promote fair trade products.

Every year, to mark the occasion, we open the doors of Jardins de Gaïa and offer a tasting of new teas from India, China and Japan. Now a not-to-be-missed event, it's a chance for our customers to take a behind-the-scenes look at the company and taste freshly-picked spring teas.

http://www.commercequitable.org

WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization): the choice of high standards

Jardins de Gaïa's first WFTO fair trade certification with Max Havelaar dates back to 2001, and marked our desire to be consistent with our vision of the world: offering products from an agriculture that respects both people and the Earth has always been a matter of course. Joining WFTO in 2016 is a new step in this approach.

Since 2016, all our fair trade products have been WFTO-labeled. Formerly known as IFAT (International Fair Trade Association) and founded in 1989, this global organization based in the Netherlands brings together pioneers in the sector from Europe and around the world. The way the organization works is as close as possible to our vision of fair trade:

Participative: each member has decision-making power at general meetings and takes part in its construction within a democratic framework.
Demanding: WFTO members must be fully aware of producers' living conditions, be truly transparent about prices, hold regular meetings in the field and on their own premises, and be exemplary in terms of their employees' working conditions.
Systemic: consumers have the guarantee that the company whose products they buy does not simply affix a label, but implements the 10 principles of fair trade both in the field and on its premises:

Creating opportunities for producers at an economic disadvantage;
Transparency and credibility;
Fair trade practices;
Payment of a fair price;
Guaranteed absence of child labor and forced labor;
Commitment to non-discrimination, gender equality and freedom of association;
Healthy and safe working conditions;
Training ;
Promotion of fair trade;
Respect for the environment.

By joining WFTO, we are moving from a product certification system to an organization guarantee. Before going into detail about this fundamental change, it's worth recalling the principle of a guarantee system.

As the name implies, it's a system that enables guarantees to be presented during a commercial exchange. In the case of fair trade, these cover the social, economic and environmental aspects of the exchange. They must reflect the good practices implemented in these areas.

Above all, it is an information system that ensures, through regular audits, that facts and practices comply with the values and principles set out in the specifications. The most common way of demonstrating this guarantee to our customers is to use a label on the product intended for sale.

WFTO's own Organization Guarantee goes a step further, as it takes into account not only the way in which the product has been manufactured, but also the way in which an organization behaves in all its activities and towards its members and partners.

For further information: http://www.wfto.com

Fair For Life: certification for organic products

Fair For Life is a fair trade certification program created in 2006. It enables all producers and fair trade players to benefit from independent certification guaranteeing: respect for human rights and decent working conditions, promotion of biodiversity and respect for ecosystems, sustainable agricultural practices and a contribution to local development. This certification, the result of proactive environmental governance, is primarily focused on organic products and supply chains.

Further information: www.fairforlife.org

Fair Trade Territories: local recognition

On November 20, 2015, the national Jury of the Territoires de Commerce Equitable campaign awarded the "Territoire de Commerce Equitable" label to the commune of Wittisheim - where Les Jardins de Gaïa is located - and to the city and Eurometropole of Strasbourg. We are particularly touched by this recognition, since we worked closely with the elected representatives on this issue.

This label is a sign that these two municipalities are committed to implementing new, innovative initiatives to support a fairer, more inclusive economy, and it's another step forward!

In addition to these labelling schemes, we have been involved for several years, both locally and nationally, in associations promoting fair trade, such as the Plateforme du Commerce Equitable (www.commercequitable.org), of which we are directors, and COLECOSOL, of which we are board members (www.colecosol.fr).

Our cocoa barks from the Pangoa cooperative in Peru: an example of financing best practices

The rare and sought-after "criollo" cocoa variety preserved through fair trade

We are fortunate to be able to offer in our range of infusions, the barks of the highly sought-after "criollo" variety of cocoa bean, known as "grand cru", produced in Peru. This ancient, hardy variety stands out from hybrid cocoa trees thanks to its richness in cocoa butter and its deep, gourmet aromas, particularly appreciated by top pastry chefs.

To produce a good cocoa bean, not only is the variety important, but also the delicate fermentation phase. In the Pangoa cooperative in Peru, which supplies us with these precious barks, the 80 cocoa growers pool their production and ferment their beans collectively, ensuring exceptional, consistent quality since this practice began in 2008.

Producer-members of the cooperative are encouraged by the cooperative to take care of their land by implementing soil conservation and regeneration practices, through sustainable management of agricultural production. Natural inputs for the preparation of organic manures are provided by the cooperative to maintain the cocoa trees. Each farmer produces his own compost.

These good practices, which pave the way for the future of the sector, are financed by the fair trade premium. The latter also finances the reforestation of degraded areas, safeguarding biodiversity and re-enriching the environment. A veritable agroforestry system has been set up to safeguard the precious criollo variety. The aim is to preserve the original Pangoa cocoa by selecting and grafting the stems.

Once infused, the organic, fair-trade skins of these exceptional beans produce a drink that's surprisingly tasty, creamy and calorie-free. A godsend for chocolate lovers..

Singell Garden: an example of how the Fairtrade Premium is used

At the Singell garden, which has been certified Fair Trade since 1994, the premium enables the garden's employees to set up programs to improve their living conditions in concrete terms: first-aid training, school fees for teenagers, a spring-water protection program.

Like every certified garden, Singell has a joint body made up of democratically elected staff representatives and management representatives. Together, they decide each year on the use of the fair trade premium at a general meeting. A progress report is published at the same time, enabling precise monitoring of actions over time.

Singell's joint body comprises 26 members, 18 of whom are women. During the 2015-2016 financial year many areas of everyday life (health, working conditions, education, ecology...) were able to be improved.

To help young mothers and their children, for example, the joint body organized first-aid training courses with the help of government trainers.

In the field of education, school fees were partly covered to help students in their final year of secondary school pass their final exams. This measure has had a particularly positive impact, with an increase in the number of students admitted.

Finally, on the environmental front, and in response to the consequences of global warming (long periods of drought), a program to conserve and protect spring water has been put in place. In particular, plants have been planted to retain the precious liquid.

As you can see, behind the sometimes abstract notion of fair trade and its labels lie concrete measures to help people make a better living from the fruits of their labor.

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