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| Maggie’s
Apparel – now Fair Trade Certified™ |
Maggie’s line of apparel (Wrap Tops, Men’s Shirts,
Hoodies, Pants, Dresses, Nightshirts, Cams, Tanks,
and Scarves) is made in Central America. We have
worked since 2001 to develop this supply chain from
the ground up. It’s been a long road of curves and
valleys, and we have all learned so much. Today
we are very proud of what we have accomplished with
every worker in the chain and of the partnerships
we have developed with them.
Recently, we have begun to work with independent
monitoring organizations who now offer 3rd party
verification programs that certify the working conditions
and labor conditions in our supply chains.
We are pleased to announce the newest addition to
this effort: Our apparel chain recently became one
of the first licensed to sell Fair Trade Certified™
organic cotton apparel. This new pilot program certifies
working conditions for the growers of our organic
cotton, knitters and dyers of our fabric, and cutters
and sewers of our garments. It guarantees that we
pay the established fair trade price for our cotton,
and that each grower and worker receives an additional
cash premium designed to be used for social programs
in their communities.
Fair Trade USA, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization,
is one of 21 members of Fairtrade Labeling Organizations
International (FLO). Fair Trade USA audits transactions
between U.S. companies offering Fair Trade Certified™
products and the international suppliers from whom
they source, in order to guarantee that the farmers
and workers behind Fair Trade Certified goods were
paid above- market prices and fair wages. FLO annually
inspects producer organizations to ensure transparency,
compliance with socio-economic criteria and sustainable
farm management practices, and democratic decision-
making for investment of Fair Trade premiums. For
more information, visit www.fairtradecertified.org.
The organic cotton farmers and sewing workers that
are producing our Fair Trade Certified™ apparel
products are part of the same supply chain that
received Fair Labor Certification from the Fair
Labor Practices and Community Benefits by Scientific
Certification Systems. Every stage of our Central
American cotton production chain was certified to
this new standard– the growers, cotton gin, spinner,
knitter, dyer, cutter, sewer, screen-printer, as
well as our office and warehouses at Maggie’s.
 The
Fair Labor Certification validates socially responsible
practices both in agricultural production and all
stages of the post-harvest production process. Certification
to this standard covers: equitable hiring and employment,
safe workplace conditions, worker and family access
to health, education, and transportation services,
local and regional impacts, community engagement,
and demonstrated economic stability. Find out more
about the audit process at: www.scscertified.com/fff/fair_labor_practices.php
Since our inception in 1992, we have worked hard
to ensure fair treatment and wages by all workers
involved in our supply chain. Many of the companies
and cooperatives that have been or will be certified
to these standards have been our partners for years.
Having our efforts validated by independent auditors
is bringing us all a sense of pride that we are
doing the right things, and is helping us to improve.
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