"Fair trade is intended to help producers in developing countries achieve better working and trading conditions while maintaining certain environmental standards, which is achieved through arrangements with distributors around the world. With the influx of fair trade goods on grocery store shelves and restaurant menus, one would assume an overall positive trend in trade conditions is occurring. However, numerous concerns continue to surround fair trade, such as whether it benefits all developing countries and markets equally, the extent to which it is effective at protecting the environment, and what conditions would make trade as fair as possible"--Provided by publisher.