Guest Post: Fair Trade Gifts and Businesses for the Socially Conscious

The fair trade movement originated in Europe over 40 years ago and was developed to create sustainable incomes for poor and disadvantaged producers by providing a living wage, maintaining stable, long-term trade agreements, and improving working conditions through education, campaigning and creating access to outside markets. Fair trade values have now made their way to the US as we become increasingly concerned about the origin of our products and the treatment of the artisans and farmers who produce them. While gaining momentum and awareness, the demand for fair trade is still less than 1% of the total $55 billion gift industry.

Fair trade is the idea that when we engage in free trade we think about the people behind the products we’re buying. In the same way that organic food has pushed us to consider what’s in our food, fair trade asks us to think about who makes our products, it is not about charity. It is a holistic approach to trade and development that helps to empower the poorest of the poor. Fair Trade Organizations are creating sustainable and positive change in developing and developed countries across the globe. Every time we choose fair trade, we choose to empower rather than exploit. A few of the organizations doing their small part to make a difference in the lives of people and communities that need and deserve our support include;

Gifts With Humanity the retail division of Global Fair Trade Crafts. Started in a garage at home, Kevin Ward and Renice Jones who met in Kenya, have grown Global Crafts into a $1 million a year outlet for Fair Trade artisan handicrafts.

Original Good is the product brand from World of Good, a collaboration with eBay providing an online marketplace that features thousands of People Positive and Eco Positive sellers and products all in one place.
The Global Exchange Fair Trade Online Store generates income for thousands of artisans and their families in over 40 countries. They feature products from around the world, with fair prices for consumers and fair prices paid to the producers and artisans.

Gaiam’s Fair Trade Marketplace offers artisan-produced art, home decor, furniture, jewelry, clothing and more helping to preserve native arts and improve the quality of life for hundreds of individuals.
Purchasing from these businesses creates lasting economic opportunities for artisans and farmers around the world.

Guest post written by Lori Hernandez. Lori is the founder of DealHippie, a site dedicated to helping you find greener choices for stuff you use everyday.

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