Fair Trade: Spreading The Wealth

CHICAGO - Before the advent of the Fair Trade system some 60 years ago, an average farmer in Ecuador could expect to receive only a few cents per pound for his crops -- barely enough to sustain himself, his family, and his farm.

Middle distributors often abused the system, shortchanging farmers out of a decent livelihood while keeping profits for themselves. With no other way to sell their goods on the global market, the defrauded farmers had little recourse but to accept the low prices.