Category Archives: fair trade

sustainability, greenwashing, and consumers

My mind is working on overdrive right now, trying to fit disparate events into an order that makes sense. Here it goes: In Markets class last night, we watched the documentary The Corporation. This was the best documentary I have seen … Continue reading

Posted in fair trade, food policy, Food studies, Oaxaca, shared value, whole foods market | Leave a comment

Cooperative coffee economics in Oaxaca

This last post about our trip to Mexico is written by student Anne Hogan. I find it  fascinating that she and Erik have such different reports about the same day (and check out the coffee beans drying on the patio … Continue reading

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a follow up on certification and fair trade

The seminal article on consumer behavior and information is Phillip Nelson’s Journal of Political Economy article, Vol. 78, No. 2 (Mar. – Apr., 1970), pp. 311-329, “Information and Consumer Behavior.” He argues that while consumers can easily assess price of … Continue reading

Posted in fair trade, organic food | Leave a comment

the importance of certification???

Last night, Clay Gordon spoke in my Food Markets class; the topic was fair trade chocolate. I found his discussion fascinating; his background of fine arts, technology and chocolate provides him with a unique perspective on what I consider a … Continue reading

Posted in fair trade, international trade, small farms | Leave a comment

decompressing the Wagner Food Policy Alliance event

Last night, I had a friendly conversation with the co-CEO of Whole Foods, Walter Robb, at NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service. Soon, I am told, there will be a podcast available, so those of you who were unable to … Continue reading

Posted in animal welfare, cost of food, fair trade, food system, Manhattan NY, nutrition and health, NYU event, supermarkets | 2 Comments

economics of standards (wonkish)

The discussions of the organic food standard and fair trade certification over the past week led me to think of the vast economics literature that examines standards. The research – particularly that from economic history – provides a useful framework … Continue reading

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lessons from fair trade and organic?

I know that many people who share some combination of my politics, interest in seeing the food system reshaped, and economics differ with me in one important area: the role of government regulation.  I am a supporter of  government regulation … Continue reading

Posted in fair trade, organic food | 2 Comments

will fair trade still be fair in the US?

Today’s New York Times (A Question of Fairness) discusses changes that are coming to the certification system for fair trade products sold in the USA. Some background on fair trade: Fairly traded products sell for higher prices, but have been … Continue reading

Posted in fair trade, Uncategorized | 1 Comment