fair trade

Cocoa producers of the Yakasse-Attobrou Agricultural Cooperative gather cocoa pods in a certified Fair Trade-label cocoa plantation in Adzope, Ivory Coast. Sia Kambou/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

The family-owned Wholesum Harvest had to meet a checklist of more than 300 standards — including many worker protections — to become the first American farm certified by Fair Trade USA. Workers at its Nogales, Ariz., tomato farm recently received a check for more than $30,000 — workers will collectively decide how to spend it. Courtesy of Wholesum Harvest hide caption

Chocolate bars from San Francisco-based Dandelion Chocolate. The company makes reports about its sourcing practices available to the public online. Courtesy of Dandelion Chocolate hide caption

At about $15 a gram, saffron is the world's most expensive spice. Rumi Spice has a unique model of employing Afghan farmers who are growing it that aims to double or even triple their annual income. Cristina Hirschkorn/Courtesy of Rumi Spice hide caption

Confused about all the different sustainability ratings out there? The simplest option may be to shop at your local farmer's market. iStockphoto hide caption

Choosing these lemon cupcakes because they're vegan doesn't mean you have to give up your other causes. John Raoux/AP hide caption

A rubber tapper makes an incision in a tree on a plantation in Indonesia. Tri Saputro/Center for International Forestry Research hide caption