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Unlike some of the other ingredients we've looked at, such as cocoa and vanilla, most of the sugar consumed in the United States is domestically grown (primarily in the form of sugar beets, as well as some sugar cane). However, the US does import about 20 percent of its sugar from tropical and developing countries, and this is where Fair Trade certification can help promote economic and environmental stability.

Sugar farming is heavily subsidized in places like the US, Europe, and Japan. In contrast, sugar cane farmers in less developed countries have suffered from low world market prices, leading to poverty and malnutrition. What's more, sugar cane production often involves large amounts of herbicides, pesticides, and air and water pollution. Buyers committed to Fair Trade pay farmers a fair price that allows them to care for their families as well as invest in organic and sustainable agriculture training and certification.

Fair Trade Certified sugar is grown by farmer-owned cooperatives in Paraguay, Costa Rica, Peru, Malawi, Zambia, and the Philippines. Here's a list of brands and products available in the US and Canada. All of these are also organic.

• Alter Eco: Unrefined Ground Cane Sugar

• Cocoa Camino: Golden Cane Sugar (Turbinado)

• Dean's Beans: Sugar and Brown Sugar

• Equal Exchange: Sugar Packets

• Wholesome Sweeteners: Sugar, Sucanat, Light Brown Sugar, Dark Brown Sugar, Powdered Sugar, Natural Cane Sugar, and Raw Cane Sugar

Related:
October: National Fair Trade Month
Fair Trade: Cocoa
Fair Trade: Vanilla
Fair Trade: Honey
Wine: All About Fair Trade Wine

(Images: fairtrade media/David Boucherie)