Fair Trade Archives

A Few of My Favorite Things

May 9, 2014 by Julia 2 Comments

Not to sound like a broken record, but you may have heard that I attended the Fair Trade Federation conference last month. In celebration of World Fair Trade Day coming up tomorrow, May 10, today I thought I’d share some of my favorite items from the conference expo. Consider them inspiration for purchasing a fair trade gift for yourself or a loved one to support World Fair Trade Day!

Necklace from Handmade Expressions

I walked by the Handmade Expressions table a number of times, probably bordering on stalking it. I loved their entire spread, but my eyes kept being drawn to the gold sequin necklace at the front. I’m envisioning it with a royal blue scoop-neck silk blouse… which I don’t actually have, but it would look good with shirts I do actually own as well.

Bags from Fibres of Life

The concept of these bags from Fibres of Life really intrigued me. The bags themselves are unadorned, and then you can purchase the embellishment you want, whether it’s an illustrated panel or felted flowers and leaves. The palette is consistent across the items so you can mix-and-match.

Wool animal baby booties from Silk Road Bazaar

Zooties from Silk Road Bazaar

These are wool baby booties that look like animals! I don’t know what else needs to be said! Other than, “Where can I get these for my pregnant coworkers immediately?!” Felted and stuffed animals were definitely a popular product at the expo, but these Zooties from Silk Road Bazaar topped the cuteness chart. (Edit: Found out that these are available for retail purchase from Greenheart Shop and Uncommon Goods!)

Cuff bracelets from World Finds

I spent another stalkery few minutes hovering around the World Finds table, which was overrun with cute jewelry. These cuffs would be a great way to add some flair to a simple summer tank top or dress.

Bag from Manos Zapotecas

If I had a million dollars, I would buy all of the bags from Manos Zapotecas. They are definitely high-end, with handwoven textiles and leather accents, and many of their products are made-to-order as true works of art. For now, I will just gaze and think about the breezy weekend getaways I could pack for using such a gorgeous bag.

Purchasing an ethically-made item is a great way to support World Fair Trade Day and improve the livelihoods of artisans around the world. Hopefully this post served as good inspiration! Since most of the organizations listed above are wholesalers, it might be tricky to track down these specific products near you, but these items are great examples of the unique designs you can find at fair trade retailers. And if you don’t have any shopping needs this weekend, don’t fret—the Fair Trade Federation has suggestions for other ways to support World Fair Trade Day.

What’s your favorite item in the list above? Can you even handle how cute the Zooties are?

How I Got “Connected by Coffee”

May 6, 2014 by Julia 1 Comment

At the Fair Trade Federation conference last month, I got to attend the world premiere of the documentary Connected by Coffee. This full-length film, produced by Stone Hut Studios, lays out the basics of the fair trade coffee industry and visits four different coffee growers across Central America to show how they are working together cooperatively and creating social change in their communities. Check out the trailer below:

I found the film to be beautifully shot, emotionally affecting, and clear and easy to understand. In addition to showing the fair trade co-op system, the film addresses the plague of coffee rust, a fungus that destroyed 50-70% of the coffee crop in Central America in 2013 and continues to decimate growers’ livelihoods. It was moving to see the commitment of the fair trade coffee importers in the film to helping co-ops find solutions to overcome this huge obstacle.

The film also contributed to me personally getting “connected to coffee.” I had never been a coffee drinker—I liked coffee flavor in desserts, but I’d never sipped on an actual cup o’ joe. Before the premiere there was a reception at Global Gifts (my favorite fair trade store) and they were serving a coffee cocktail inspired by the documentary. As it was a week of trying new things, I figured I’d give it a try, and it was delicious.

The weekend after the conference I was at a swing dancing event where I needed to stay awake and fairly alert until 4am a couple nights in a row. Looking back on my good experience with the coffee cocktail, on a whim I ordered my first cup of straight-up coffee, and by George it did the trick! Coffee kept me fueled the entire weekend… now I see why people drink this stuff! I haven’t made it a daily habit since I want to avoid a caffeine addiction, but the fact that I can now drink coffee and understand why people love it will make it easier for me to share with people why fair trade coffee is so important.

I made sure to hang on to the coffee cocktail recipe to share with you:

Café de Naranja Picante

A sweet and spicy coffee cocktail with a citrus twist

1 1/2 oz. Spiced rum

1 oz. Fair trade coffee, prepared and chilled

1/2 oz. Heavy cream

1/2 oz. Triple sec

1/4 oz. Agave nectar

A dash of red pepper to taste

Shake all ingredients together and pour over ice. Top with whipped cream and an orange twist.

If you’d like to see Connected by Coffee, the filmmakers are offering a free online screening all day on World Fair Trade Day, May 10. On the film’s website you can also order a DVD copy or see if there is a screening event scheduled near you.

Are you a coffee addict? What’s your favorite coffee drink?

News Roundup: April 2014

April 29, 2014 by Julia 6 Comments

Okay guys, for real, I think it’s spring now. No more false alarms like my last roundup. Read on for the articles and links that caught my eye this month:

The Shirt on Your Back – This interactive documentary profiles the garment industry in Bangladesh and shares the stories of Rana Plaza workers. I haven’t watched the whole thing, but what I have seen so far is informative and powerful. (The Guardian)

Jeopardy Contestant Accuses Alex Trebek of Wearing Sweatshop Suits – Contestant Tom Kavanaugh was talking about making a documentary about sweatshop labor and hit Alex Trebek with a kid of harsh accusation about the origins of his suit. It’s an amusing clip, and while it was probably an inappropriate comment, I don’t fault Kavanaugh much for it since I think it just shows his passion for the issue. Kavanaugh even shares his side in the comments. (Gawker)

Celebrate World Fair Trade Day – World Fair Trade Day is Saturday, May 10, 2014! Visit the link for ideas for participating, from wearing your favorite fair trade accessory to giving a fair trade gift to a loved one. (Fair Trade Federation)

The Importance of Organic Cotton – Did you know that cotton producers use as much as 25% of the world’s insecticides and more than 10% of the world’s pesticides? This post from Modavanti describes the downsides and dangers of conventionally-grown cotton and the benefits of organic cotton. (Modavanti)

World’s Most Ethical Companies – I’d take this list with a grain of salt, as it includes known offender Gap, Inc. (who received a Public Eye “award” earlier this year for failing to sign the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh). (Ethisphere)

The Eco Edit – I just found out that People Tree has a digital magazine! The April/May 2014 issue focuses on Bangladesh and how things have changed there in the year since the Rana Plaza disaster. There are some more fun, fashiony features as well to balance the more intense stories. (People Tree)

The Stories in Your Closet: What Do Your Clothes Say About You? – This article explores the idea of people having meaningful relationships with the things they wear and respect for the craftsmanship it takes to make garments. (Triple Pundit)

Free2Work Coffee Ratings 2014 – This report assigns a letter grade to a selection of coffee companies based on their systems for preventing and addressing child labor and forced labor. (Free2Work)

Who Made This Fabric? – Interesting profile of a company called Thread that works in Haiti and Honduras to turn trash into fabric. (Fashion Revolution)

Former Architect Shows Untold Beauty Inside America’s Textile Industry – Speaking of making fabric, check out these interesting photos from inside American textile factories. Holy spools, Batman! (My Modern Met)

What have you been reading this month? Any plans for World Fair Trade Day? It coincides conveniently with Mother’s Day weekend, which I may or may not have almost forgotten about… (That’s what happens when I buy a card five weeks in advance!)

Bohemian Style

April 22, 2014 by Julia 1 Comment

If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you might remember a post about the fair trade quilt I bought for my bedroom. This quilt, which I adore, came from a company called Fair Trade Quilts & Crafts, and as you can see from the photo, you could say it’s a “lot of look.”

My bohemian-style quilt from Fair Trade Quilts and Crafts

It was out of my design comfort zone to get something so patterned and vibrant and handmade-looking, but now that I have it I wouldn’t change it. Fair Trade Quilts seems to have anticipated this kind of hesitation among North American consumers, because their Pinterest is full of inspiration photos of bohemian interiors that would go with the style of their products.

I started following them after I purchased the quilt, and at first I was a little overwhelmed by the colorful interiors showing up in my feed. But now…

I love it.

Obviously these stylized shots take the look to the extreme, but I’m definitely feeling an affinity for the eclectic, multicultural, textile-heavy aesthetic. I would love a hanging lantern, or a dramatic curtain over my living room window, or a carved wooden end table. Just a few accents can give a room a bohemian feel without being overwhelming.

I read an article recently that said that the bohemian style should look like your home is decorated with items you’ve picked up on your world travels. I love the idea of each piece having an authentic or personal story. If you don’t have the time or budget to actually circle the globe, choosing fair trade is an excellent way to accrue a collection of meaningful items from around the world that truly reflect and respect the culture of the people who made them. (For a related train of thought, see my previous blog post about the tribal trend and cultural sensitivity.)

Some of my favorite sources of fair trade home decor items are SERRV, Ten Thousand Villages, Global Gifts (a local fair trade shop in Indianapolis), and of course Fair Trade Quilts & Crafts.

What do you think about the bohemian style? Would you ever incorporate a bohemian element into your home?

Great Intentions: Eat Healthy Food

April 14, 2014 by Laura Leave a Comment

A Year of Great Intentions: Eat Healthy Food, photo of fresh fruits and veggies

Eating healthily has so many great benefits. When I have cut out processed foods, soda, and sweets and replaced it all with nutrient-rich grains, vegetables and fruits, I have slept better, become more alert and energized, and even noticed more optimistic thoughts and feelings. Based on this personal experience, along with my college nutrition class and studies I have read, I think I’m correct in saying that there are some great improvements to the biological and chemical activities of my body when I am eating well.

There are a few steps to properly change what you eat. You can talk to your doctor or nutritionist, read a couple good cookbooks, and write a meal plan. Personally, I hope to take this a step or two further by choosing organically produced food as well as ethically produced food! When it comes to healthy and fair trade food, my goal is to always pick fair trade when there is an option for it. If you would like to join me in intentionally changing your food purchases to reflect your ethical values, start off small and as easily as possible. You might consider signing up to have a pre-selected package of healthy, fair trade – and affordable – items delivered right to your door.

Here are my tips for ethical, healthy food shopping:

Browse through the natural/organic section of your grocery store and look for fair trade certified nuts, grains, herbs, spices, and tea. These items may be spread out throughout the regular aisles, too.
Check out your local organic/health food store, fair trade shop, or Whole Foods Market.
Buy local produce, dairy, and meat.
Hit the web and shop online through such retailers as Good Guide or through Fair Trade USA’s Products & Partners.

The market for fair trade food is still quite small, but it is growing – as is consumer demand for it, according to this article by Fair Trade USA that has studied this growth in certain types of stores. Finally, if you’d like to join the movement of buying healthy, ethically-produced food, please review our Certifications page before you head to the market, so you know which labels to look for.

What stores have you found fair trade food in? We would love to hear what you’re finding in stores near you. Please comment below!

Thank you so much for following the A Year of Great Intentions blog series. I hope I have helped you reimagine how you can be intentional in shopping, purely to help improve the lives of others through your consumer choices. I wish you a truly wonderful Year of Great Intentions!

Why Fair Trade? Paying Fairly

April 11, 2014 by Julia Leave a Comment

I can’t get enough of this little guy I saw at the conference!

In our series Why Fair Trade?, I aim to illustrate some of the main reasons why supporting fair trade is important to me. Today we’re going to explore the fair trade principle of paying fairly.

At first, the term “paying fairly” by itself sounds great. Who wouldn’t agree that everyone should be paid fairly for their work? But if you think about it a little longer, the question arises: what does “paying fairly” actually mean?

Here is a summary of the Fair Trade Federation’s guidelines for paying promptly and fairly:

Empower producers to set prices based on the true costs of labor, time, materials, and sustainable growth
Comply with or exceed international, national, local, and, where applicable, Fair Trade Minimum standards
Equal pay for equal work by women and men
Ensure prompt payment to all partners
Offer producers access to interest-free advance payment or pre-financing with favorable terms

Fair traders also work to ensure that producers are paid a living wage that enables them to meet their basic needs.

I got a taste of the complexity of determining fair prices and wages in a session at the Fair Trade Federation conference last week. As described by Karen Gibbs from By Hand Consulting, the process of determining the artisan’s selling price of a fair trade handicraft goes something like this:

Determine the fair hourly wage for the artisan(s) by considering their monthly expenses and how many hours they work. Other cultures do not always follow the American model of 8-hour workdays five days a week, so it takes research to find out what it would actually take for the artisans to earn a living wage.
Determine the total cost to produce the item by tracking and adding the costs of materials, labor (using the fair hourly wage) and overhead. Artisans may not have accounting skills or tools, so some training is often part of this process.
Consider the target customer, competition, quality, and desired profit margin, then set the selling price. This is the price that the artisan will receive from the first buyer, often a wholesaler.

As the item passes through the distribution channel from artisan to exporter to importer to wholesaler to retailer, the price of the item increases at each stage. These increases are due to shipping costs and the overhead and profit margins taken by each “middleman.” Many fair traders attempt to cut out as many steps as possible to reduce costs, but it’s still not unusual for the retail price of an item to be seven times more than what the artisan was originally paid. (I had no idea importing goods was so expensive. Mind = blown!)

As you can see, determining fair prices and wages is a complicated process. This makes me a little more understanding of why more companies, especially smaller companies, don’t do it (even though it’s the right thing to do), and it also makes me incredibly appreciative of the fair traders who put in the effort and commitment to ensure producers are paid fairly.

Fair payment is one of the many reasons I choose to support fair trade. Why do you choose fair trade? Do you have any questions about fair trade? Let me know in the comments!

Fair Trade Federation Conference Recap

April 8, 2014 by Julia 2 Comments

Thumbnails of conference speakers and exhibition. Fair Trade Federation Conference Takeaways
Wow! I had such an amazing time at the Fair Trade Federation conference last week. I got to meet tons of passionate people involved in various aspects of the fair trade movement, and I also learned a lot about the specific details of putting fair trade principles into practice.

Here are some of my major takeaways from the conference:

There are two different schools of thought in the world of fair trade right now. One school of thought says that high standards applied by small businesses (i.e. Equal Exchange coffee grown by small farmers) is the best way to make progress toward a more fair world. The other school of thought says that by loosening standards to allow larger companies to participate (i.e. Great Value brand fair trade coffee at Walmart), we increase volume and thus increase our impact. Both groups have similar goals regarding producer wellbeing but different visions of how to get there.
Determining a “fair price” is a complicated process! It takes a lot of effort and dedication to work with artisan groups, many of whom don’t have basic accounting skills or tools, to determine their cost of materials, labor costs and overhead to factor into what the fair price for their product should be. Fair traders are committed to doing this legwork to get the price right.
Fair traders are extremely considerate about respecting cultural identity and partnering with artisans in an equal way. They do everything they can to avoid condescending to artisans or fostering dependency. Their goal is to give artisans the freedom to determine their own destinies.
One big question fair traders ask is, “How do we measure our impact on artisan communities?” Many speakers shared about the dramatic improvements in self-worth and confidence that they saw in their artisans from participating in fair trade. However there is now a desire within the movement to go beyond those qualitative improvements and back them up with quantified results such as the percentage of artisans’ children who are in school and the frequency of their meals.

I plan to expand on some of these takeaways and others in later posts. In the meantime, be sure to check out our gallery of photos from the exhibit hall below or on Facebook—there were oodles of gorgeous and interesting fair trade products on display!

Disclosure: As a media partner I received complimentary access to the conference and one of the swag bags given to all attendees, which contained some fair trade product samples. I received no other compensation for my promotion of this event.

News Roundup: March 2014

March 25, 2014 by Julia Leave a Comment

Springtiiiiime! Let’s ignore the fact that it’s snowing in parts of the country. Spring is technically here, and it’s giving my mood a major boost, merely by the fact that it can’t be winter forever. I’ve even had a few days when I got outside to run and enjoy the sunshine. Of course, when I wasn’t doing that, I was reading ethical lifestyle articles like a boss. Check out my picks from this month below!

(I found several of the articles below in Modavanti’s new newsletter “The Weekly What.” I couldn’t find a subscribe link on their website, but I think if you just register for their site in general you’ll receive it.)

The Opiate of the Masses – Leah shares her thoughts on why ethical consumerism shouldn’t be the only way we express our values and concern for people and the planet. Very thought-provoking! (Style Wise)

Style Is the Way You Live Your Life – Gala Darling is one of my favorite blogs to read for a healthy dose of encouragement and girl power. This post emphasizes how your purchases don’t define your style—it’s more about being creative with what you have than about buying the latest designer item. (Gala Darling)

AllSaints, Urban Outfitters Fail to Address Forced Labor in Cotton Sourcing – This article summarizes a report from the Responsible Sourcing Network which surveyed companies on their policies and practices related to sourcing cotton from Uzbekistan, where forced labor in cotton production has been extensively documented. (Ecouterre)

25 Shocking Fashion Industry Statistics – This list includes statistics on global apparel spending, pollution from the textile industry, and garment industry wages. (TreeHugger)

Why I Invest in Ethical Fashion – This article provides a concise rationale for the ethical shopping movement, comparing it to the dramatic emergence of the organic food movement. (PandoDaily)

Retailers want answers from Cambodian PM over factory shootings – I’m not sure how I missed this… did you know that in January, Cambodian security forces shot at and killed workers who were protesting low wages? (The Guardian)

The Post-Landfill Action Network – This is a great program started by college students to solve the huge problem of waste caused by the year-end move-out purge. Students rescue usable items in the spring and re-sell them to students in the fall when they move back in. I love how this program connects unwanted items with people who want them! It’s such a key part of the sustainable sharing economy.

Organic Equal Exchange Chocolate Easter Eggs – Temperatures are rising (in some places… sort of…) which means the window for ordering fair trade chocolate online is closing. Equal Exchange is offering milk and dark chocolate easter eggs, plus their usual minis. Stock up before temperatures get above 75!

New ethical lifestyle blogs found this month:

New shopping sites found this month:

ThredUp – Online consignment store allowing users to recycle clothing from their own closets and purchase high quality used items (found via Style Wise).

What are you reading lately? Is it getting to be spring-ish where you live?

Great Intentions: Take a Trip

March 21, 2014 by Laura 2 Comments

Title of post over a map of Africa

As I mentioned in my first A Year of Great Intentions blog post, I will soon fulfill my dream of traveling back to Italy. It has been six years since my amazing semester spent studying in Florence, and I’ve had a hankering to return ever since. My main goal for this trip is to live like a local – stay where the locals live, dine where the locals dine, and shop where the locals shop. As I make plans, I do think how wonderful it would be to have a guide to help me choose places to visit and activities to do that will leave a positive mark on the people who live and work where I will tread.

Many studies have been done on the economic impact of tourism. While the conclusion is that this industry does have excellent benefits, there are negative consequences as well – often depending upon the tourist’s choices, and the status of the country’s development. I will keep the following three points in mind as I traverse Italy, and do my best to avoid those things that can hurt instead of help the locals I wish to respect and be gracious to. Here are some simple tips for those of you wishing to do the same:

Buy local food and drink. That is, avoid the purchase of imported goods. You will help lower the demand for costly imports that decrease revenue.
Stay in locally-owned hotels rather than international chains or all-inclusive resorts. This way, more revenue will stay in-country.
Travel in off-season. This will be an advantage to your street vendor or taxi driver who may be struggling to get by until more tourists arrive.

Finally, what if I told you that there are actually guides out there who will assist you in making decisions that do good to the local economy? They may not be everywhere, but if you haven’t chosen your next travel location, perhaps one of these will catch your eye:

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) – FTT-Certified Places to Stay and Things to Do in South Africa, plus Fair Trade Holidays to Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Fair Trade Travel Pass – 21-day “Travel Pass” in South Africa.

Tourism Concern – Ethical Tour Operators in several locations; some current examples are Burma, Romania, Kenya and Tanzania, and Nepal.

As I keep telling everyone I know, I can’t wait until I arrive in Roma and become reacquainted with the country I fell in love with while in college. I am so grateful for this chance to travel again, to a gorgeous country at that! Where do you hope to visit next? Do you have any other tips you would like to add?

Check out the rest of the posts in Laura’s Great Intentions series.

The Inside Scoop about the Fair Trade Federation Conference

March 11, 2014 by Julia Leave a Comment

The Fair Trade Federation Annual Conference in Indianapolis is rapidly approaching! To get all the details on the event, which will be held downtown from April 1-3, I interviewed Suzanne Cotter from the Fair Trade Federation.

Fair Trade Federation 2014 Annual Conference | April 1-3, Indianapolis, IN | Photo of Indianapolis downtown Monument Circle

Fair for All: A main focus of the conference is on the business side of fair trade. What would a person who is not part of a fair trade business get out of the conference?

Suzanne Cotter: First and foremost, the Conference is always a wonderful opportunity for those newer to the industry to meet a special group of people who are doing the very best work in fair trade… the kind of direct, in-depth work the Fair Trade Federation stands for! There’s really no other gathering of fair trade businesses quite like this and the learning and networking opportunities are boundless. We recommend the Conference to anyone interested in working with artisans in specific regions, staring their own fair trade business one day, working in fair trade product design and development, or anything else that falls under the fair trade umbrella… many Conference attendees this year have had foundational roles in bringing the fair trade movement to the U.S.

Who are some of the speakers and presenters you’re excited to have at the conference?

This year we’re thrilled for our plenary speaker Jonathan Rosenthal, Executive Director of Cooperative Coffees, consultant at Just Works Consulting, and co-founder of Equal Exchange and Oke USA. We’re also excited for the expanded list of sessions for businesses working primarily in agriculture — like the agricultural pricing roundtable which will include Michael Skillicorn of Dean’s Beans, Bena Burda of Maggie’s Organics, Kim Lamberty of Just Haiti Coffee, Jonathan Rosenthal of Cooperative Coffees, and Stacey Toews of Level Ground Trading. There will also be an expanded list of sessions for retail stores, including a session on building sales with a regular special events schedule with Rich Howard-Willms of Plowsharing Crafts. We’re also offering some exciting sessions for wholesalers like developing producer empowerment and involvement with Pushpika Freitas of Marketplace: Handiwork of India.

Tell me about the film premiere of “Connected by Coffee.”

Connected by Coffee movie poster Connected by Coffee is a great documentary film covering the lives of coffee farmers and the benefits of fair trade relationships. The film — by Aaron and Chelsea Dennis of Stone Hut Studios — aims to show how coffee farmers and coffee drinkers can work together to create a more just trading future.

The screening during the Conference will be the world premiere, which is really exciting for us! We’ll be hosting it at the Athenaeum Theatre in downtown Indianapolis — a beautiful historic space that’s really walkable for locals. The event is open to the public (we’ll be selling tickets for $8 at the door) and we’ll have a Q&A panel afterwards. This event is another a great opportunity for folks who can’t commit to attending the full Conference to meet some of the attendees and participate in he Q&A; we’ll have the filmmakers, the FTF Executive Director Renee Bowers, Jonathan Rosenthal of Cooperative Coffees, and Matt Early of Just Coffee.

How is the conference partnering with local Indianapolis fair trade organizations?

We’re working closely with local FTF members Global Gifts, Imani Workshops, and The Village Experience to get to know the Indianapolis area a little better and to spread the word about the Conference. Global Gifts in downtown Indianapolis will also be hosting a small reception right before the film screening on April 2nd from 6 – 7:30 pm. All are welcome to attend and browse the store!

Are there discounts on registration? When is the registration deadline?

Yes! Full-time students will receive a significantly discounted registration rate. Anyone can register for the Conference up until Monday evening, March 24th — a week before the Conference starts. You can register online on the FTF website.

Thanks to Suzanne Cotter for sharing the inside scoop on the conference! I know I’m excited to attend and learn more about what makes a fair trade business tick. If you want to know more about the conference, visit the FTF website.

Disclosure: As a media partner I am receiving complimentary access to the conference. I am receiving no other compensation for my promotion of this event.