Traditional Medicinals Earns Fair for Life Certification
Traditional Medicinals, known for its dedication to botanical wellness, recently announced a significant achievement in its sustainability journey: the Fair for Life certification. This milestone underscores the company’s commitment to ethical sourcing, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability, aligning with a growing consumer interest in certified ethical products.
Fair for Life is not just another label; it represents one of the most rigorous fair trade standards available globally. It evaluates every step of the supply chain, from the cultivation and harvest of herbs to their processing, production, and distribution. This comprehensive examination ensures fair working conditions, just compensation for labor, and environmental responsibility.
Jamie Horst, Chief Purpose Officer at Traditional Medicinals, emphasized that Fair for Life exemplifies a holistic commitment woven into every stage of the tea-making process. She stated, "From the farmers who gather our herbs to the teams that craft our teas, this certification ensures dignity, equity, and long-term support for all involved. Our goal is to turn our values into action, making every cup of tea beneficial for both the planet and its people."
A unique aspect of Fair for Life certification is its focus on mutual responsibility and fostering long-term partnerships rather than purely transactional relationships. Companies holding this certification must allocate a portion of their revenues towards community-defined development projects, which might include initiatives like clean water access or women's empowerment programs. Traditional Medicinals emphasizes its commitment to collaborate closely with wild collectors, smallholder farmers, and cooperatives, especially in under-resourced areas. This intention is to ensure not only consistent livelihoods but also the conservation of biodiversity and investment in these communities.
In alignment with its mission of regenerative harmony, Traditional Medicinals has embraced a tripartite certification model, combining Organic, FairWild, and Fair for Life qualifications. Each certification complements the other and emphasizes key areas such as:
- - Soil Health and Pollinator Protection (Organic)
- - Wild Plant Ecosystems and Traditional Knowledge (FairWild)
- - Fair Wages, Community Resilience, and Shared Decision-Making (Fair for Life)
This consolidated approach provides a transparent, verified framework that vouches for the well-being of individuals, plants, and the environment, thus going beyond mere marketing claims. According to a survey conducted by Talker Research for Traditional Medicinals, 40% of Americans are now inclined to research food products more diligently than five years ago, with heightened interest in sustainable (45%), purpose-driven (40%), and ethical (38%) options. This indicates that certifications like Fair for Life not only resonate with consumer expectations but also simplify their purchasing decisions.
Recognizing the need to enhance consumer awareness surrounding certifications, Traditional Medicinals is collaborating with EcoCert, the certifying body for Fair for Life, to develop educational resources aimed at consumers. Despite the Talker survey revealing that 74% of consumers are aware of organic certification and 53% recognize Fair Trade, only 37% are familiar with Fair for Life. This gap in knowledge prompts Traditional Medicinals to take meaningful steps in building a more informed consumer landscape.
Traditional Medicinals’ endeavor to clarify the implications of comprehensive certifications highlights a broader commitment to transparency and education in a market where consumers are increasingly seeking alignment between products and personal values. By collaboratively elucidating the true meaning of these certifications, Traditional Medicinals and EcoCert aim to transform complex supply chain choices into confident decisions that benefit both individual wellness and global welfare.
Horst stated, "Achieving Fair for Life certification is a culmination of decades of relationship building. We are immensely grateful to the farmers, wild collectors, producers, and our internal team who have joined us on this journey. True sustainability transcends mere herb sourcing; it encapsulates our commitment to people and ensuring that every individual partaking in the tea journey thrives. This certification celebrates our collective impact and serves as a testament to the unwavering commitment behind each cup."
Founded in 1974, Traditional Medicinals stands as a frontrunner in the realm of botanical wellness, centered on inspiring meaningful connections to plant wisdom for the benefit of both society and the environment. The extensive range of teas, lozenges, and capsules provided by Traditional Medicinals results from a blend of ethical sourcing, production integrity, and scrupulous standards of purity, quality, and sustainability. Known for achieving certifications such as Fair for Life, Organic, B Corporation status, and recognition as a California Benefit Corporation, Traditional Medicinals strides towards uplifting global communities, fostering ecosystem health, and nurturing cultural ties. Find their offerings both online and in a plethora of grocery and natural food retailers, and discover more about their commitments at
Traditional Medicinals.