Every day when I pick my daughter up from preschool I ask her what she ate at snack time. Last week one of her favorite preschool snacks was a salad with pears and strawberries. At her back-to-school night the school chef and art teacher also mentioned that the kids all loved the salad. So at home this week I decided to also add pear and berries to one of our salads. With nutty quinoa, the combination creates the perfect fall salad.
I happened to have a box of Near East Rosemary and Olive Oil Quinoa along with other goodies from Fair Trade USA that added just the right amount of earthiness to this sweet fruity salad. Fair Trade USA had reached out to me about trying some fair trade certified products, and I agreed, as I was interested in learning more about what exactly fair trade means. I have heard about the horrific ways some farmers are treated around the world, particularly with cocoa, coffee, and bananas, and would rather support companies that treat their farmers fairly. What is Fair Trade? Fair Trade USA says, “Fair Trade goods are just that. Fair. From far-away farms to your shopping cart, products that bear our logo come from farmers and workers who are justly compensated. We help farmers in developing countries build sustainable businesses that positively influence their communities. We’re a nonprofit, but we don’t do charity. Instead, we teach disadvantaged communities how to use the free market to their advantage. With Fair Trade USA, the money you spend on day-to-day goods can improve an entire community’s day-to-day lives.”
What do you think? Would you buy one product over another because of a “certified fair trade” label? In my mind, getting a high quality product and knowing you’re helping the people who made that product is a win-win.
1 cup cooked Rosemary and Olive Oil Quinoa (such as Near East brand) or quinoa cooked with 1 tbsp chopped rosemary and 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 large pear, diced
1 cup raspberries 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Place greens in a large bowl. Add quinoa, pear, and raspberries. Whisk together oil and vinegar and drizzle over salad. Toss gently to combine. Season with freshly cracked pepper if desired.
— Read about the delicious Fair Trade products I was lucky enough to sample and the good they are doing after the jump. My husband devoured the Kopali Chocolate Covered Banana before I could even get to them! Visit Fair Trade USA for more information.
SunSpire Organic Chocolate Chips: We recommend baking with these delicious chocolate chips to add a little bit of FairTrade to your desserts!
Three Twins: The first organic ice cream made with FairTrade Certified ingredients.
TCHO x 4: TCHO is serious about chocolate: from knowing where their FairTrade Certified cacao comes from to re-imagining what it means to taste chocolate. You’ll find yourself using words like “fruity,” “citrusy,” or “nutty” to describe this flavor experience. You’ll simply have to see for yourself!
Kopali Chocolate Banana: Kopali took a timeless flavor combination to a whole new level: bananas covered in FairTrade Certified single-origin chocolate from Peru. Now that’s a healthy treat to enjoy!
Near East Quinoa Blends: A balanced blend of FairTrade Certified quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) and whole grain brown rice for a delicious, high-protein meal that helps fund organic conversion, leadership training and infrastructure improvements in rural Bolivia.
Cissé Trading Co Dark Chocolate with Cinnamon Hot Cocoa: Cissé (pronounced “see-say”) brings you gourmet single origin FairTrade Certified cocoa from the Dominican Republic. But this isn’t just any hot cocoa, it has a special pastry chef twist – try out the dark chocolate and cinnamon!
Just Love Coffee Roasters: Just Love Coffee Roasters combines their love for specialty FairTrade Certified coffee and helping those in need. For every cup you drink, they donate a portion of their proceeds to adopting families, non-profit organizations, and the arts.
Traditional Medicinals Organic FairTrade Nighty Night Tea: Organic Nighty Night is an aromatic balance of slightly minty, mildly bitter and sweet, with notes of spice and citrus – the perfect way to relax at the end of your day. Traditional Medicinals Tea Mug with Cover: Curl up with your favorite cup of FairTrade tea with this cute Traditional Medicinals tea mug. It even comes with a handy cover to make sure your tea stays warm!
Glory Bee FairTrade Comapi Honey: This rich FairTrade Certified honey is produced in the Caatinga Scrub Forests of Brazil and has helped fund the construction of a local school, a community center, and new projects around safe drinking water.
What a wonderful school your daughter must go to that they serve such incredible and healthy snacks! I think about fair trade often, especially when it comes to chocolate. Great post, and great salad!
Hi Marina, what a great post! yes, I would definitely buy one product over another because of a “certified fair trade” label, no questions there. I bet the rosemary adds such a great flavor to your salad! 🙂
What a pretty and yummy looking salad! I add strawberries to my salads quite often, but never pear or raspberry…I'm a creature of habit, I suppose. Love your message about fair trade 🙂
I also ask my little guy when I pick him up even though I check the menu in the lobby, but no matter what he always tells me “match and cheese” or “a sammich” lol!I love this salad, quinoa is so tasty!
I'm so glad you're here! I'm a busy mama to two sweet girls and a bunch of funny animals. I'm passionate about sharing the beauty of real food through plant based recipes. I hope you find many easy, nourishing, delicious recipes your family will love.
This is so lovely!
Beautiful salad and great message!
Stunning salad, looks delicious! 🙂
What a wonderful school your daughter must go to that they serve such incredible and healthy snacks! I think about fair trade often, especially when it comes to chocolate. Great post, and great salad!
Hi Marina, what a great post! yes, I would definitely buy one product over another because of a “certified fair trade” label, no questions there. I bet the rosemary adds such a great flavor to your salad! 🙂
What a gorgeous salad – lovely to add the pear and raspberries – healthy and delicious
Mary x
What a great post. Thanks for sharing. Come and visit us. We are having a wonderful giveaway this week. You will love it.
That looks so yummy! Love the flavor combination and of course supporting Fair Trade.
This is such a gorgeous salad, Marina! Fair Trade is wonderful!
Love the idea of combing fruit with the quinoa.
i love this post Marina! your salad looks delicious and i am a firm believer in buying fair trade goods. thanks for sharing. xox
What a pretty and yummy looking salad! I add strawberries to my salads quite often, but never pear or raspberry…I'm a creature of habit, I suppose. Love your message about fair trade 🙂
I also ask my little guy when I pick him up even though I check the menu in the lobby, but no matter what he always tells me “match and cheese” or “a sammich” lol!I love this salad, quinoa is so tasty!
This is such a good idea for a salad that I can share with my kids. Love the addition of quinoa!