Fair trade is a global movement to promote better working conditions and justifiable incentives and income to the workers and producers of certain products. Coffee is a basic product to almost every family and individual. With the high demand for coffee supply, farmers are pressured to produce more. Unfortunately, the prices of coffee have plummeted while large coffee companies have not adjusted the consumer prices and pocketed the big revenues they get from it. This injustice have forced coffee farmers into poverty; starving their families and incapacitated to maintain their farm lands. With this disheartening condition, a call for a transformation in the coffee industry is made. That is how Fairtrade coffee originated. It aims fair trade between farmers and huge coffee companies and the monitoring and guaranteeing of worker’s rights if he is working in a plantation.

The finest coffee is grown in the hottest regions of the globe. Fair trade certified ones are produced from 23 countries. In Asia, fair trade coffee is exported from African nations of Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. Other Asian countries who have also participated in this move are Thailand, Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea. Countries in the west includes, Nicaragua, Colombia, Guatamela, Costa Rica, Uganda, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Bolivia, Honduras, Ecuador, El Salvador, Brazil and Paraguay.

The fair trade movement in the coffee industry has also reached the developing countries. Businesses which are mission driven and grounded on Fair Trade principles are known as Alternative Trading Organizations (ATO). Coffee Farmers transact business directly to the ATOs for better compensation, alleviating their poor economic status. It is in this way, through global cooperation, that social justice and economic wealth is brought to the developing countries.
Fair Trade coffee also comes from small farmers. They are given more freedom and better living standards due to the protection they get from the Fair Trade concept. Small time coffee growers have better chances of increasing their profile globally since they are given the chance to market their product more effectively.

Support to fair trade coffee production has been widely increasing all over the world. Consumers can even directly purchase their coffee from coffee growers. With this mission, everyone in the market is in a win-win situation: producers, companies and consumers alike.

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Thousands of years ago, the early civilizations of the Chinese and Egyptian used bee pollen as a medicine and rejuvenator. The “Father of modern Medicine”, Hippocrates, even utilized bee pollen as a healing substance. Nowadays, natural health practitioners hold bee pollen in high regard with the many health benefits that it provides starting from weight loss to cancer prevention. But how is this supplement made?

Different flowers have different pollens. Pollen contains a wide variety of important vitamins, minerals, amino acids, protein and enzymes that are needed by the body. In fact, it is considered the richest and most complete food that nature provides. It is high in B vitamins and contains minimal calories per serving.  Bees collect pollen from flowers and the quality of the bee pollen relies on where it was harvested. If the flower grows in an area which is polluted, the bees could also harbor the impurities and other chemicals with the pollen making it harmful to the body’s health. A healthy environment therefore is important to improve the quality of bee pollen. One of the best places for pollen is where pollution is at its least: New Zealand. Bee pollen from New Zealand is often regarded as one that has the best quality.

Some people believe that there are many conditions that bee pollen can be used to treat, including:

• Boosting your immune system. The bee pollen contains vitamins and minerals like lecithin, cysteine, selenium, magnesium, calcium, nucleic acids, proteins, mono and polyunsaturated fats, vitamins B, C, D, E, and beta-carotene which are all effective in strengthening the body’s immune system.
• The vitamins, fatty acids and essential amino acids present in bee pollen help regulate your mood. Therefore, bee pollen helps you greatly in controlling and coping up with the stress in your life.
• Increasing energy and endurance. Athletes who have been taking bee pollen for a long time have shown remarkable changes in their stamina and performance. With the many nutrients and vitamins present in bee pollen, it’s not difficult to believe that it can create such health benefit.
• Helps in weight management by regulating the body’s metabolism.
• Lowers the low density lipoproteins, the bad cholesterol, in the body. Consequently, it affects in the regulation of blood pressure and the heart.
• It may be helpful in managing skin problems like eczema and psoriasis
• Eliminates toxicity in the body
• Protection against premature aging and adverse effects from radiation treatment

The list goes on and on as this wonder food affects the body’s system. Although it gives you the best health benefits that you can get, it is forevermore wise to consult the physician before taking in bee pollen supplements.

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When we think of a local market, we usually correlate it with fresh produce like fruits and vegetables.

Although shoppers can also find other commodities like pastry, cheese, meats and breads, local market stores predominantly sell a diverse selection of fruits and vegetables.

How does shopping for food in the local market becomes more health beneficial compared to buying products from the grocery stores? While grocery store products are usually grown and manufactured chemically, the locally grown foods by the small farmers were produced organically which means that they are healthier since they are chemical-free. Although not all food products in the local market are grown through pure organic means, you’re rest assured that they were grown with the minimal use and exposure to fertilizers, pesticides and hormones. Try walking around the aisles in the local markets and you can observe a huge difference between the look, smell and taste of fruits and vegetables compared to what you will find in grocery stores. Besides, fruits and vegetables are guaranteed fresh and fully seasoned. They are harvested and disposed within 24 hours while in contrast to grocery store foods that are harvested earlier before they are mature enough to eat. They are then gassed to hasten its ripening time, packaged and refrigerated to increase its shelf life. With all these commercial procedures that the foods undergo before they are sold to the grocery stores, you’re sure you’ll not get the best of its nutritional value or worst, a further decline in its nutritional value.

In addition to the health contribution it gives to an individual, buying food at the local market also avoids air pollution and promotes money savings by minimizing use of transportation because the food is kept close to the place where it is produced. Not only do the consumers, merchants and producers all benefit with it but it is also a way of showing gratitude and respect to the environment’s gift of natural and bountiful resources.

Here are our top produce markets by State Capital:

-          ACT – Capital Region Market, Canberra

-          Adelaide- Adelaide Showground Farmers Market, Adelaide

-          Darwin – Parap Markets, Darwin

-          Hobart – Glenorchy Sunday Market, Hobart

-          Melbourne – Richmond Market, Richmond

-          Perth – Subiaco Farmers Market, Perth

-          Sydney – Pyrmont Growers Market, Sydney

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The food is from the same groups of vegetables that produce onions, leeks and garlic.

Historically, they’ve been cultivated for more than 2000 years, and used for many reasons including food sources and medical needs.

For anyone keen on losing weight and going on a diet, eating a lot of asparagus is highly recommended.

The green vegetable is poor in calories and loaded with vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, vitamins A, B and C, and they are also a good source of calcium and fiber.

When you break it down nutritionally, a 100 gram serving of asparagus contains only 24 calories. However, the same amount provides 150 mg of vitamin B9 that is a third of our recommended daily intake.

In addition, it is high in protein and will give you necessary minerals needed to facilitate and maintain muscle growth.

Basically, the food gives you everything you need, except for excess fat.

Asparagus has detoxifying and diuretic effects as well, making it a great source to clean out our gastro tract and help the body get rid of the excess water.

There are old beliefs that asparagus increases feelings of compassion and love, and increase milk production in nursing mothers.

If there were any side effect with the green vegetable, it would be that it actually gives users a strong urine odour.

This comes from a sulfur compound called a mercaptan, which when broken down releases a funny scent. But the smell should go away once the food is completely digested.

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The stumpy looking food has been used for health reasons has been used for over five thousand years, as is a favourite medicine as well as a culinary herb and garnish.

In case you were wondering if it is a fruit, or a vegetable, it is actually neither. It is a spice!

The part that has the most medicinal benefits is actually the Rhizome, which is the part of the plant that is most underground.

One of ginger’s most recognised health benefits are its effects on digestive ailments.

Ginger can help digest fatty foods and break down proteins and is excellent for reducing gasses inside your digestive system.

It’s also believed to be great in relieving nausea, and can be effective in treating morning sickness as well as motion sickness, a great food to eat while travelling at sea.

Ginger has also been known for it’s ability to help reduce inflammation and therefore can treat any disease that is caused by inflammations such as arthritis or stomach ulcers.

There is even some research that shows ginger can help prevent the symptoms of the
Herpes simplex virus, and potentially cure it for good.

Being a warming herb, ginger can also help knock out a fever and is a great herb t have to boost your immunity and prevent common colds and flu’s.

The list goes on as well as ginger is also good for stimulating circulation of the blood and can also help relax muscles around the blood vessels and is said to help prevent blood clots from developing.

If you wanted to experience the health benefits for yourself, then go to your local supermarket and buy some of the rooty spice.

Eating about five slices with food daily in hot water will go a long way to increasing your health.

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Pineapples are one of god’s greatest foods, and one which has been adored by humans for centuries.

The first thing that will get your attention is the shape and size of the food. Pineapples look a little bit like a palm tree with a short and fat base (a bit like a tree trunk), and a top that branches out and spikes, a bit like tree branches.

The outside layer is prickly and spiky, and if handled incorrectly, can actually leave you with bleeding palms..

Nationally speaking, they contain plenty of great nutrients, including proteolytic enzyme bromelain, which helps in the digestion of protein.

Pineapples are also high in antioxidants and a great source of minerals and vitamins for any person.

Here’s a breakdown of what you get out of a standard 100 gram serving of the tasty fruit:

Vitamin A : 130 I.U.

Vitamin C : 24 mg.

Calcium : 16 mg.

Phosphorus : 11 mg.

Potassium : 150 mg.

Carbohydrates : 13.7 gm.

Calories : 52

Health wise, there are also a list of beneficial reasons behind eating them. not only is it good in making your body stronger and lean, it can also help in overcoming a list of health issues.

Preventing blood clots is one reason many eat the fruit, as well as those trying to overcome goiter problems.

Pineapples have also been known to help treat dyspepsia (chronic digestive disturbance), bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes), catarrh (secretions from mucous membranes) and high blood pressure.

Those with arthritis have also been known to have good improvements when eating high amounts of pineapple.

In addition fresh pineapple juice has been linked with curing constipation, throat infections, and nausea.

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As is the case with most beans, such as kidney beans, lima beans, navy beans and mung beans, green beans are highly nutritional and great for any type of diet.

Generally speaking, beans are extremely low in fat and offer a great source of fiber, protein and complex carbohydrates.

They come with high levels of folic acid and significant amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and iron, making them perfect for the human body to eat and digest.

With the high amount of health benefits and nutritional quantities, green beans are consequently a great way to overcome health issues and problems.

The major health benefit of beans is their ability to lower cholesterol and make your blood flow smoother.

Due to the rich levels of fiber, green beans have the ability to prevent blood sugar levels rising too rapidly after a meal.

Therefore, individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance, or hypoglycemia can benefit greatly from a diet full of beans.

Heart health is also promoted when eating green beans due to their fiber, antioxidants, folic acid, vitamin B6, and magnesium levels.

Patients with heart disease will also benefit form the green vegetable as it lower blood pressure and research has also indicated that beans are also protective against cancer.

All in all, green beans are great or anyone, and should be part of every persons daily diet.

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The yellow oblong shaped vegetable is full of nutrients and essential minerals that are great for any diet, and any person.

It can be eaten in many ways – cooked, raw, steamed, on the cob cut up, shredded, or even into a dip or paste to have with other foods.

Humans have used the food for centuries, not only as a food, but also as a medicine

As is the case with most vegetables and organic foods, the benefits it has for the human body make it perfect in fighting against infections, diseases and other health issues.

Naturally corn is a body building food, one that promotes growth and recovers the body from damage.

One of the best things about the food is that it is great for anyone with heart problems, or with any blood problems.

When eaten everyday, corn can actually lower cholesterol levels in your body.

The soluble fiber in corn binds with cholesterol in bile from the liver, and then when it passes through the body it takes the cholesterol with it, cleaning up the body.

Corn is also helpful in treating kidney problems, especially renal dysfunction, and it can also prevent diaper rash.

Amenia and constipation are also other health issues known to have benefited from daily consumption of corn.

Here is the typical nutritional breakdown for the average serving of corn:

Nutritive Values: Per 100 gm.
Vitamin A: 390 I.U.
Vitamin B: Thiamine .15 mg.;
Niacin: 1.7 mg.
Vitamin C: 12 mg.
Calcium: 9 mg.
Phosphorus: 120 mg.
Fat: 1.2 gm.
Carbohydrates: 20.5 gm.
Protein: 3.7 gm.
Calories: 92

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Lemons are one of the world’s best nutritional fruits on offer, regardless of what people think about the sour citrus food.

Lemons are as common as red traffic lights – they are everywhere!!

We use them to make lemonade, mix them into our drinks to add a little extra punch, they remove hard stains in clothes, are an all-around deodorizer and air freshener and we even use them in our cooking as both an ingredient and garnish.

Did I also mention that we use lemons as a medical ingredient too??

The yellow gem has plenty of healing powers and can be used in many different ways.

It’s very effective in curing many digestive problems when mixed with hot water, and helps with nausea, heartburn, and disorders of the lower intestines like constipation and worm infestations.

As well as boosting your immune system, it also serves as a tonic for the liver and even cures the hiccups!!!

Due to its super high content of vitamin C, it is also great at preventing the common cold and most other flu’s. It also relieves symptoms of asthma, sore throats and tonsillitis.

The acidic fruit is also a diuretic meaning it’s good for people with urinary tract infections and high uric acid problems, such as those with arthritis or rheumatism.

Externally, lemons are often used as a natural lip balm, and healing balm for cuts, burns and abrasions on the skin.

When massaged gently into gums, lemon juice may also stop gum bleeding, and it has often been known for its ability to prevent or stop nosebleeds when they occur.

On a spiritual side, lemons have been known for their aromatic and relaxing energies, and when it comes to unwinding or meditating, they can be great to achieve total body relaxation.

In short, there are not many things lemons cannot do!

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Well, belive it or not, but the answer is the the latter.

Capsicums are vegetables that are surprisingly very rich in the flu and cold killing vitamin.

The food itself comes in an exciting range of colors, like green, red and yellow and is known by a number of names, like chili pepper, bell pepper and red or green pepper.

Capsicums serve many purposes as well as a basic food source. They are often used as a spice, used for medicine and obviously, a vegetable.

Apart from being good in taste, capsicum also holds a great degree of nutritional value and accords numerous health benefits to its users.

In addition to its high vitamin C levels, capsicums have been known to comprise of the following nutrients:

* Carotenoids (Capsanthin, Capsorubin, Carotene and Lutein)
* Proteins
* Fats
* Vitamin A
* Vitamin C
* Capsaicinoid Oleoresin
* Provitamins E, P, B1, B2 and B3
* Steroidal Alkaloidal Glycosides (Solanine and Solasadine)
* Scopoletin (Coumarin)

There are a number of great health benefits from eating the juicy vegetable.

They have been known to be great for your eyesight, as well as making your skin nice and smooth.

Capsicum can also be used externally, for treating arthritis, sore back muscles, rheumatism or sprains and bruises.

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