Fair Trade, what is Fair Trade?

I realized that I've written a good deal about 'fair trade' here, and haven't provided any sort of definition. I guess I just assumed that most people already knew, but you know what they say about people who assume....(wait, is that an assumption....?)

Instead of recreating the fair trade wheel, this is the wonderfully complete set of principles outline by the International Fair Trade Association.

• Equal partnership and respect between producers and consumers

• A fair price for socially just and environmentally sound work

• Healthy working conditions

• Fair market access for poverty alleviation and sustainable development

• Stable, transparent and long-term partnership

• Guaranteed minimum wages and prompt payment

• Premiums on Fair Trade products used to develop community projects

• Encouraging better environmental practices