FAIR TRADE

Here are examples of Fair Trade companies in India, along with their classification as either a factory or a trader:

Creative Handicrafts (Mumbai)

Company Profile: Creative Handicrafts is a social enterprise that works to empower disadvantaged women in Mumbai through skill development and employment in crafting and textile production. They create handmade garments, bags, and accessories.

Classification: Factory (They directly produce goods in their own workshops and employ the artisans).

Fair Trade Alliance Kerala (FTAK)

Company Profile: FTAK is a cooperative of small and marginalized farmers in Kerala. They produce and export Fair Trade certified spices, coffee, and cocoa. Their aim is to ensure fair prices and sustainable livelihoods for their farmer members.

Classification: Factory/Producer (They are the primary growers and processors of the agricultural products).

Palam Rural Centre (Tamil Nadu)

Company Profile: Palam Rural Centre focuses on empowering rural women and artisans, particularly in handloom weaving. They produce a range of textile products including sarees, stoles, and home furnishings, emphasizing traditional techniques and ethical practices.

Classification: Factory (They operate weaving units and directly produce textile goods).

Sasha Association for Craft Producers (Kolkata)

Company Profile: Sasha is one of India's oldest and most well-known Fair Trade organizations. They work with numerous artisan groups across India, helping them with product development, quality control, and marketing their handicrafts, textiles, and natural products to global markets.

Classification: Trader (They act as an exporter and marketer for various independent artisan groups and producers. While they support production, they don't own all the direct manufacturing units).

Earthworm (Bengaluru)

Company Profile: Earthworm is an organization committed to promoting sustainable and ethical supply chains, particularly for organic and Fair Trade cotton. They connect farmer cooperatives with processing units and brands, ensuring fair practices from farm to fabric.

Classification: Trader (They facilitate the trade and supply chain of organic and Fair Trade cotton, rather than owning the farms or the textile factories themselves).

Fabindia (Pan-India)

Company Profile: Fabindia is a large retail chain in India known for its ethically sourced traditional crafts, textiles, garments, and organic products. They work directly with artisans and craft communities across rural India, providing design inputs, raw materials, and a market for their products.

Classification: Trader (They source products from a vast network of independent artisan groups and producers across India and sell them through their retail outlets. They are not the direct manufacturers of all products).

Here are some products that may be produced or sold by FAIR TRADE companies in India:

* Apparel and textiles (clothing, scarves, bags, home textiles)

* Handicrafts (jewelry, pottery, wood carvings, metalwork)

* Food products (tea, coffee, spices, honey, nuts, dried fruits, chocolate)

* Home decor (furniture, rugs, baskets, candles)

* Personal care products (soaps, lotions, essential oils)

* Gifts and stationery (cards, journals, recycled paper products)