Domestic Fair Trade Association An Introduction to our Work and
Membership Process
The Domestic Fair Trade Association (DFTA) is an association of organizations
united to promote a vision for Domestic Fair Trade. Our goal is to bring together
key stakeholders in the domestic food and agriculture system to:
 Improve the livelihoods of family farmers and workers in the domestic food,
fiber, and agricultural products industry;
 Promote and strengthen Fair Trade principles in local, regional, national and
international food systems;
 Build broad public support for Domestic Fair Trade through on-going
educational activities;
 Work cooperatively with other Fair Trade associations, advocacy
organizations, standards setting bodies and other partners as approved by our
member organizations.
International Fair Trade emphasizes the empowerment and capacity-building of
small-scale farmers, artisans and agricultural workers in the global South. By
creating businesses committed to the principles of fairness and equity, Fair Trade
organizations provide concerned consumers in the North an opportunity to
support producers in the South through equitable trading relationships. Today,
we see that many of the challenges faced by small farmers and farmworkers in
marginalized regions of the world are parallel to those impacting the same
groups in the “developed” world. Meanwhile, as movements for Fair Trade,
organic agriculture and economic justice become part of the mainstream, the
gains made by farmers and farmworkers are being eroded. Around the world,
farmers, traders, workers and consumers are joining together to respond to this
situation in often intersecting ways.
In 2005, Fair Trade organizations Equal Exchange, Farmer Direct Co-operative,
and Organic Valley/CROPP Co-operative convened a meeting of organizations
to discuss the idea of domestic Fair Trade. Their collective priority was
supporting family farms, farmer co-operatives and sustainable agriculture. The
group identified the principles of international Fair Trade, as expressed by
organizations such as the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) and the
Fair Trade Federation (FTF), as a starting point for looking at the regional and
local food systems. Primary goals were further defined: to support family-scale
farming, to reinforce farmer-led initiatives such as farmer co-operatives, to
ensure just conditions for agricultural workers, to strengthen the organic farming
movement, and to bring these efforts together with mission-based traders,
retailers, and concerned consumers. Together in domestic fair trade, these
stakeholders contribute to the movement for a more equitable, diverse, and
sustainable agriculture in North America. Soon, a steering committee was
formed, including the Rural Advancement Foundation International, USA.
1In 2006, a set of “Principles for Domestic Fair Trade” was developed from the
priorities identified at the steering committee’s first meeting and, once approved
by the larger group, was distributed to likeminded organizations. In sharing this
statement, the group stated its goal of contributing to the creation of a more
holistic model of commerce; one consistent with the values of the international
Fair Trade movement, and building on the values of the organic and sustainable
agricultural movements. Recognizing the need to reinforce the position of family
farmers, farmer co-operatives and farmworkers in the global movement for trade
justice, DFTA has consciously engaged these stakeholders in the development
of the principles.
In 2007, farmworkers’ organizations gathered to discuss social justice standards
for a Domestic Fair Trade label. The group reached consensus on the need for
farmworkers’ organizations to have equal representation in the creation and
implementation of any seal. Other central issues in the context of a certification
program were fair wages and the right to organize without retaliation. Conference
participants also discussed the issue of pesticide exposure as one of the most
serious dangers confronted by agricultural workers and consumers alike. They
agreed on the importance of building strong relationships between farmers and
agricultural workers, as well as moving towards organic cultivation methods.
As these dialogues continued, we laid the path toward a vision for Domestic Fair
Trade, bringing together the key stakeholders in the food and agriculture system:
farmers, workers, processors, marketers, traders, advocacy groups and
consumers. These groups are united by creating a more socially just,
participatory and sustainable agriculture on the global, national, regional and
local levels.
The Domestic Fair Trade Association (DFTA) was formally organized in 2008
and is now a vibrant association of more than 30 member organizations. At the
core of the association’s work are the 14 principles of domestic fair trade,
encompassing family- scale farming, worker rights, capacity building, democratic
and participatory ownership, equality and opportunity, direct trade, fair and stable
pricing, shared risk and affordable credit, long-term trade relationships,
sustainable agriculture, appropriate technology, indigenous people’s rights,
transparency and accountability, and education and advocacy.
Each year, typically in December, DFTA holds an annual meeting that is open to
both members and non-members. The meeting provides a chance for our diverse
stakeholders to discuss a common vision and lay a path for getting there.
As part of our efforts to support farmers and farmworkers, DFTA members have
endorsed statements on fair immigration policy and fair contract standards for
farmers. We are in the process of launching a full-scale criteria and endorsement
process of evaluating social justice claims in the marketplace. Internally, member
organizations are beginning to work together to hold each other accountable,
learn from each other, and strive for continually improvement. Through a variety
of partnerships, initiatives and marketing, we also seek to engage and educate
consumers.
The DFTA strives to make decisions by consensus and is committed to
transparency and participatory governance by its members.
Membership in DFTA
While the principles for Domestic Fair Trade provide a basic philosophy and
guide for member organizations, we also need a system of verification of
organizational commitment to the principles, not just in word but also in practice.
This ensures that organizations involved in DFTA share a common commitment
to the principles as well as to ongoing improvement in their implementation. Our
goal is to create a system that has integrity while also being practical. In a
manner similar to the membership processes of other Fair Trade associations,
this system provides for self-assessment, peer review and ongoing improvement
goals.
Members’ initial application and ongoing peer reviews will also help build trust in
the concept of Domestic Fair Trade. We see so much excitement about this idea
that businesses are using it to promote products with little awareness of the
history, goals or principles of Fair Trade. If we are not vigilant in asserting the
broader goals and priorities that underlie the Fair Trade movement, there is a risk
that Domestic Fair Trade will become meaningless to consumers and other
stakeholders. DFTA is a structure through which mission-based organizations
can engage in dialogue and information- sharing around the concepts of Fair
Trade, organic agriculture and farmworker justice. Such a structure will also
ensure that our movement is sustainable and has a lasting impact for our
communities and for the earth.
Types of Members
In launching the movement for Domestic Fair Trade, we consciously reached out
to a broad set of stakeholders in the food and agriculture system, rather than
focusing only on businesses.
The DFTA was founded with five stakeholder groups:

Farmers and their organizations

Farmworkers and their organizations

Intermediary trading organizations including marketers, processors, and
manufacturers

Retailers

NGOs
Although we are united in our goals, each sector brings a unique perspective to
the association. Please visit the DFTA’s website for complete definitions of each.
Additionally, we are able to add new sectors in the future, if needed.
Common Indicators for Members
Members of DFTA must be committed to the concept of trade as a mechanism
for social justice and sustainability. The mission and activities of the member
organization should speak to the goals of fairness, equity, sustainable agriculture
and social justice in the food system, consistent with Domestic Fair Trade
principles. Trading organizations (farmer organizations, processors and
marketers, and retailers) should have a goal of bringing 100% of their
commercial activities into alignment with these principles. Advocacy
organizations must likewise seek to enact the principles in their activities.
All prospective member organizations are required to formally endorse the
principles. In addition, a compatible mission statement and transparent reporting
of the organization’s activities, and how they contribute to the advancement of
the principles, will support membership approval.
Process for Membership & Ongoing Verification
Organizations seeking membership in DFTA follow an application process that
verifies their commitment to the principles of Domestic Fair Trade, their current
practice, the perspectives of key stakeholders and areas for improvement. This
process includes:
a. Formal organizational endorsement of the principles for Domestic Fair
Trade.
b. Self-assessment of current activities
c. Providing organizational materials (website, brochures, packaging, etc.)
d. Ongoing verification.
The Membership Committee will consider applications and make a
recommendation to current DFTA members .All candidates for membership must
be approved by consensus. This application is intended to serve as mechanism
for membership and ongoing verification and improvement of practice. Therefore,
members of DFTA are required participate in a periodic peer-review process.
Domestic Fair Trade Association
220 2nd Ave South #204
Seattle, WA 98104
www.thedfta.org
info@thedfta.org