Stichting Max Havelaar

Stichting Max Havelaar is a Dutch non-profit organization that promotes and certifies Fairtrade products in the Netherlands. It was established in 1988 and named after the famous Dutch novel Max Havelaar by Multatuli, which criticized the exploitation of Indonesian coffee plantation workers by Dutch colonialists.

History

Stichting Max Havelaar was founded by Nico Roozen, Frans van der Hoff, and Piet Moerland. The organization was created to address the unfair trading conditions faced by small-scale farmers in developing countries. The first product to receive the Max Havelaar label was coffee from Mexico.

Mission and Vision

The mission of Stichting Max Havelaar is to improve the living and working conditions of small-scale farmers and workers in developing countries by promoting Fairtrade practices. The organization aims to create a more equitable global trade system by ensuring that producers receive fair prices and work under decent conditions.

Certification Process

Stichting Max Havelaar certifies products that meet specific Fairtrade standards. These standards include fair prices, fair labor conditions, direct trade, democratic and transparent organizations, community development, and environmental sustainability. Products that meet these standards are allowed to carry the Max Havelaar label, indicating that they have been produced and traded fairly.

Products

The Max Havelaar label can be found on a variety of products, including:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Chocolate
• Bananas
• Sugar
• Cotton

Impact

Since its inception, Stichting Max Havelaar has had a significant impact on the lives of small-scale farmers and workers. By promoting Fairtrade practices, the organization has helped improve income stability, working conditions, and community development in many developing countries.

See Also

• Fairtrade certification
• Fairtrade International
• Ethical consumerism
• Sustainable development