Being socially and ethically responsible is a cornerstone for us here at Eastward. We wanted to start off on the right foot with our very first batch of apparel, and partnering with Fair Trade USA was one of our largest goals.
Working with a brand new factory half way across the world is intimidating, but Fair Trade USA helped us take some of the guess work out of that. We're humbled to be part of a growing family of apparel brands that are changing the game by offering Fair Trade Certified Factory™ products. We are proud to be working with Bestitch Knits, a supplier based in southern India.
From poverty to climate change to struggles with health and safety, people all over the world face incredible challenges simply trying to earn a living. To compete in today’s market, businesses drive down prices at the expense of those most vulnerable: farmers, factory workers, and fishermen. This simply can’t go on. Shopping Fair Trade means taking a stand for a system that treats everyone with respect.
When you see a product with the Fair Trade Certified™ seal, you can be sure it was made according to rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards. Fair Trade USA works closely on the ground with producers and certify transactions between companies and their suppliers to ensure that the people making Fair Trade Certified goods work in safe conditions, protect the environment, build sustainable livelihoods, and earn additional money to empower and uplift their communities.
It’s simple: For every Fair Trade Certified product sold, Eastward pays an additional amount of money into a Community Development Fund, which goes directly back to the workers at our tee factory, Bestitch. From there, the workers decide together how to spend the funds to improve their lives and meet their unique social, economic, and environmental needs.
