Walmart – Let Me Help You Understand Fair Trade

I doubt any of the Walmart executives will take me up on my offer but here it is: Let me help you understand what fair trade means.

A recent newsbrief in the Hartford Courant newspaper revealed that Walmart will begin selling handicrafts by women in developing countries. The products will be purchased through a well-known and respected organization called Aid to Artisans.

The article does not mention whether Walmart will be marketing the products as fair trade or not, although fair trade is clearly a focus for Aid to Artisans.

Here’s the thing about fair trade that is really disturbing to see in today’s world, especially what is happening in the United States – fair trade is NOT a brand. It’s not a marketing strategy and it’s not trend. Fair Trade IS a movement,  it’s a commitment, it’s a way of life. We, as importers/wholesalers and retailers, are in it for the long haul. We work directly with our artisans, know their stories, their families, their struggles and their successes. We work together on figuring out how to make this work to benefit everyone, ensuring the artists receive fair wages, work in safe conditions, yes, but also work with them over YEARS, not a season.

Walmart, if you want to really back up your commitment to these Haitian artisans, I applaud you. I refuse to shop in your stores because of many reasons but I will take a closer look to see how you plan to promote these ARTISANS and their products (notice my emphasis on ARTISANS, not on the PRODUCTS). I wonder what your long-term strategy is to support these artisans. What is the nearly half-million dollar grant to Aid to Artisans going to go toward?

As of right now the focus is to sell the items online (not in the stores) and I’m sure the next decision of whether or not to continue to offer these products to Walmart’s customers will depend on the online sales. I don’t see a long-term strategy here but who knows? Stranger things have happened in the retail world.

What do you think about this news? Is it a good thing that Walmart’s taking notice of handicrafts from developing countries or harmful to those artisans in the long-run? I’m eager to hear what you think.

~Megy

How Much is Enough to be FAIR TRADE

Many of us actively involved in the fair trade movement are aware of the recent news surrounding Fair Trade USA‘s decision to resign from Fair Trade International (FLO). There has been a LOT of talk, formal statements, and frustration around the news and you can find out more details about what this decision will mean for the movement as a whole here.

What concerns me right now is that there is already a TON of confusion about certification at the consumer level. Is the item certified fair trade? Is it not? If it’s not, why not (in some cases, products like our jewelry aren’t “certifiable” in the United States, for example, because there isn’t an organization that can certify it – our best option is to be a member of the Fair Trade Federation which we are and have been for more than 8 years).

According to Fair Trade International (FLO), the Fair Trade International Logo is the most widely recognized ethical label globally. Although the United States still lags plenty behind its neighbor across the pond, the United Kingdom, it’s still at 34% (the U.K. enjoys a 96% recognition rate). Additionally, and MORE IMPORTANTLY, the TRUST level when you see the logo in the U.S. is at 63% and 90% in the U.K. You can see the stats in these graphs or in this link.

 

 

So imagine my shock when I learned that Fair Trade USA, the same organization that allowed AVON to use its logo when the company was only using 2% of its raw materials on a product to use the logo, could allow a company like Hershey’s to use its fair trade logo without ANY fair trade cacao being used. That’s right. All Hershey’s needs to do is use 11% of its raw materials as fair trade and it will be granted use of the Fair Trade USA logo. That 11% could be fair trade sugar (which would be a start) but what I find more disturbing is a company could easily claim to be fair trade when it’s most basic, raw material isn’t even fair trade. This is unreal. This graphic is from Fair World Project’s blog.

Want to learn more? The Fair Trade Resource Network is hosting three webinar’s tomorrow and I strongly encourage you to stay abreast on what is going on. If you’d like to register for the webinar scheduled for tomorrow, click here.

I’m curious to hear what you think about this issue facing the fair trade movement nationally and internationally. Do you feel like you know what is happening? What are retailers supposed to say to consumers when they ask why a product in their shop is fair trade and a company like Hershey’s is fair trade? What are we, as importers and wholesalers of fair trade products from developing countries, supposed to tell our retailers WHY we are fair trade and companies like AVON are touting their fair trade certification?

~Megy

Come to the Ohio Fair Trade Expo – October 22, 2011

The annual Ohio Fair Trade Expo is one many in the Midwest enjoy attending because it is filled with educational sessions, a healthy fair trade marketplace and the ability to network with fair trade activists, students, keynote speakers and more.

Hosted by the Ohio Fair Trade Network, the Expo brings together hundreds of fair trade enthusiasts, more than two dozen fair trade vendors in its marketplace and dynamic keynote speakers and great activities for the family, too.

I, as founder of World Shoppe and a board member of the Fair Trade Federation, will be speaking on Fair Trade and the Environment on Saturday, October 22, 2011. In particular, the session will cover how some fair trade companies recycle and upcycle raw materials readily available in the developing countries to create new fair trade products while providing much-needed employment to community members and being mindful of the Earth’s resources.

The Ohio Fair Trade Expo is held at John Carroll University  (Dolan Center for Science & Technology) in University Heights, Ohio. Click here for detailed directions to the Ohio Fair Trade Expo location on campus.

Will you be attending the Expo this year? Please let me know – it will be great to see you there!

~MegyKarydes

Where Does Your Shirt Come From

It’s no surprise, sadly, anymore, to hear about sweatshop labor in the apparel industry. It’s all too commonplace because we, as a society, demand cheap goods. In order to get those cheap goods, someone has to pay the price and, oftentimes, it’s the people who are doing the work.

Chicago Public Radio’s WorldView recently did a segment that discussed a case where 300 young female workers have been raped and brutalized in a garment factory in Jordan. The factory’s major buyers? Target, Sears, Land’s End and Macy’s. The allegations are by a human rights watchdog group and there is always two sides of every story, but these stories seem to happen way too often for it to be just another accusation. Something has to be done? Want to be part of the solution? Educate yourself on where your clothing is made.

Shown here is an illustration provided by Just Shirts which outlines the pipeline of how a t-shirt is produced. On the left side is how a shirt that is fair trade is made while on the other side is how a conventional t-shirt is made. Notice the layers (no pun intended) on the right side and the wage provided to the workers, let alone the conditions in which they are often working.

Our friends at Mata Traders wrote an excellent blog post a couple of weeks ago on other ways you can make a difference – make some noise. Through various recommendations, the post provides resources to sign petitions to show your support for justice. It’s a great read and one I’d recommend to everyone who cares about human rights.

Yes, our economy may still be struggling and we need clothes to wear, but rather than support sweatshop labor, choose your clothing options carefully and ask questions. Support fair trade, check out secondhand shops or have a swap party at your house. There are other ways to dress ourselves, and not at the expense on other people’s backs.

What is your favorite place to shop for clothing? Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve the labor conditions at apparel factories?

 

Cooperation, Not Competition, Propels Businesses Today

Gone are the days of hoarding customers and leads. If you want to succeed in today’s marketplace, it’s all about cooperation, not competition. Crazy, you say? Perhaps…but I’ve found that working with my fellow fair trade businesses and not against them has reaped all of us greater rewards and are perceived by our customers as more than just salespeople.

About a year ago, at a trade show, Teresa from Lucia’s Imports, and Jennie, from Venture Imports, began discussing how our product lines were different and yet we shared many of the same customers. Our customers would literally hop from one of our booths to the e wondered how we can benefit from the relationships we’ve already formed with some of our customers who didn’t attend trade shows or didn’t know about the other businesses. I can’t recall who came up with the idea but since we all also sent out postcards to our customers we thought why not include all three of our companies’ information on the postcard, sharing our booth numbers and trade show information, and sent it to all of our customers? So as not to duplicate mailings we sent our mailing list to one of us who worked with a mail house and the mail house handled the entire mailing for us. It worked like a charm – customers who hadn’t heard of us before began calling to inquire about our handmade and fair trade offerings and more customers came to see us at the trade shows because now they had a greater reason to visit us – there were three of us literally next door to each other!

It turns out our idea isn’t as unique as we thought. Recently I received Lucuma’s  catalog of fair trade Peruvian gifts and folk art and on the interior back page is a lovely call out to  two of our fellow fair trade friends – Sustainable Threads and Global Mamas. The language used in the catalog: “While we focus our efforts in Peru, we appreciate the opportunities other fair traders are creating around the world. Sustainable Threads offers nice handmade paper gifts and our favorite cruelty free silk  from India! Global Mamas’ cotton hand-printed girl dresses are just adorable, and their adult shirts are also cool. Check them out and tell them we sent you their way!”

How awesome is that? And the accompanying pictures featuring some of their designs adds to the great information provided.

I love being in the company of fair trade friends. There IS a different way to do business…and I love it.

~Megy

Fair Trade Fashion Trends for Fall

It’s not hard to locate gorgeous and fashionable fair trade apparel and accessories and it’s even easier now with the Fair Trade Federation‘s launch of the Fair Trade Styles and Trends for Fall Guide!

In seven gorgeous pages, you will find on-trend designs for rings, necklaces, scarves, handbags and home accessories surely to delight any style. Looking for a gift for your mom or friend? Refer to the guide! Not only do you have access to the items, but each comes with a link for where to find the pieces!

Let me know what you think of the guide…I’m partial to Page 3’s Circle of Love Onyx Ring. 🙂

~Megy

 

 

Coffee Prices Doubling? Ouch.

I’m a HUGE coffee drinker. And by HUGE, I mean I could easily drink an entire pot by myself during the first half of the day. So news of coffee prices doubling has me in a bit of a panic – my daily vice will cost me double? Ouch.

The Christian Science Monitor notes that the price of a pound of raw coffee beans has almost doubled in 12 months – with no end in sight.

Part of the reasons for the increased prices are attributed to rising demand for coffee, stronger demand for better quality coffee and higher fuel costs. As a result of the higher raw materials cost, coffee roasters and retailers are struggling to cover those costs and can only absorb the increase so long before we, as consumers, see it at the cash register.

This past May, at the Fair Trade Federation’s annual conference, we were treated to a presentation by one of the co-founders of Madison-based JUST COFFEE‘s Matt Earley. Matt went into some detail on what is going on within the coffee industry as a whole and how fair trade coffee fits into this mix, especially as it relates to fluctuating commodity prices.

Monika Firl, Producer Relationships manager with Cooperative Coffees, a green coffee importing cooperative comprised of 22 community-based coffee roasters in the USA and Canada, shared some of the challenges currently facing the fair trade movement surrounding certification.

Rising commodity prices and certification issues are not isolated to the coffee industry. It’s affecting many commodities across borders, including cotton from Guatemala and sterling silver from Indonesia.

As we consider introducing a new line from an African country that will incorporate textiles next year, keeping tabs on what is going on within the coffee and other commodities industries is very important. But even more so is how this impact will affect American’s purchasing of what I consider a necessity for my mornings – COFFEE!

Are you noticing coffee prices rising? How are you reacting to the increases in the marketplace. It’s so interesting to me to see gas prices dominating mainstream media’s attention when I truly wonder if coffee is even purchased more regularly, by more people, than gasoline?

Peace – as I happily drink my iced coffee on this very hot and humid morning!

~Megy

Fair Trade Weddings ~ Celebrations at their best

Today the Fair Trade Federation unveiled its Fair Trade Wedding Guide and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Whether you’re a bridal couple, bridesmaids, groomsmen, mother of the bride or guests of the event, there really is something in this guide for everyone. Need a fair trade wedding gift idea? Check. Need a fair trade greeting card to give to a new couple? Check. Need some fair trade bridesmaid dresses or fair trade ties? Check and Check.

The Fair Trade Wedding Guide also has a listing of retailers that offer wedding registries which is convenient for those couples who are choosing to start their life together in a fair trade way and engage their guests as well.

We’re honored and thrilled that one of our wedding cards from South Africa made it in the guide (page 5 and shown here) as well as our Intertwined Rings (page 7) which many retailers have told us have been sold to many a bridal couple over the last year that we’ve introduced the ring design. Truly, it’s a wonderful design whether or not one plans to use it as a wedding band as the copper and brass intertwined design makes it both classic and elegant.

What’s really exciting about the guide is that it shows how seamless and easy it is to have a fair trade wedding. The cover of the guide shows a bride with her beautiful bridesmaids wearing Mata Traders’ dresses. Now that’s a dress you know the women will be wearing long after the wedding day celebration is over.

What are you best fair trade wedding guide recommendations? Would love to hear your thoughts!

 

 

Chicago is Largest Fair Trade City in United States

Chicago can finally claim a positive FIRST – it’s officially the first largest fair trade city in the United States. After working on a campaign for a little over two years, Chicago Fair Trade members and supporters celebrated the news at the annual World Fair Trade Day celebration on Friday, May 6, at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago.

It’s an exciting statement because it’s more than just a statement – it’s acknowledging that fair trade is a growing movement in the United States and supported by both large and small community members. Chicago also can lay claim to being the second largest city in the entire world to become a fair trade city (London was the first large fair trade city).

But what does this mean? Listen to Chicago Public Radio‘s WorldView host, Jerome McDonnell, speak to Chicago Fair Trade’s Executive Director Nancy Jones, about the topic and what it means to Chicagoland residents and businesses during a radio interview. During the interview Jerome talks about how fair trade is different than direct trade and Nancy talks about its Chicagoland-based members like Fair Earth that are working with artisans in Uganda to make jewelry out of flip flop discards.

You can also read more from Nancy’s blog post on Fair Trade Towns‘ website.

Besides the steering committee that was charged with moving our Chicago Fair Trade City campaign, it was the ripple effect of people engaging with their communities, customers, retailers, faith based groups, and workplaces that made the difference. By educating people on what fair trade was and showing the impact that it makes both locally and globally, we successfully increased the amount of outlets offering fair trade in the Chicagoland area and the number of people who now know to seek out fair trade products. To find a fair trade store, coffee shop or business near you, check out the list posted on Chicago Fair Trade’s website.

So hats off to everyone, in Chicago, throughout the country, and all over the United States, for celebrating World Fair Trade Day this month and every month of the year. And for our tireless leader of Chicago Fair Trade, Nancy Jones, because without her dedication, motivation and unwavering commitment to fair trade, it would have taken us far longer to plant our flag on Chicago soil. Thank you, Nancy, for all you do. And thank you, Chicago, for allowing us to stand tall and proud at this past weekend’s annual Fair Trade Federation conference when we shared the news with our fellow fair trade supporters who gathered from all over the U.S. and Canada.

We also couldn’t have done with with hundreds of committed folks including the City of Chicago’s Department of Environment and our sponsor for many years, Mindful Metropolis magazine.

But we’re not done yet – we need to continue to build our list of places that offer fair trade. Will you help – can you share with us any local retailers, coffee shops and other places that offer fair trade? And if your local place of business doesn’t have anything fair trade but might be interested, to let them know there are many companies that can help? Let Nancy know (or leave a comment here) so we can continue to build our list! She can be reached at nancy at chicagofairtrade dot org.

Did you celebrate World Fair Trade Day yet? If so, how did you celebrate?

~Megy

Let’s Celebrate World Fair Trade Day 2011

May 14, 2011 will mark World Fair Trade Day this year when millions of people in more than 80 countries will celebrate fair trade and what it means to their communities. In the United States, we’re striving to reach 100,000 people between May 1-15 by encouraging them to take a fair trade break – whether it’s choosing to enjoy a fair trade chocolate bar, coffee or buy a fair trade gift for their moms on Mother’s Day.

Fair Trade events are being planned throughout the country and if there isn’t one already scheduled, plan one with your friends!

This weekend, in addition to it being Mother’s Day, it’s also the annual Fair Trade Federation conference being held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I’m excited to gather again with my friends and fellow fair trade supporters as we discuss what is happening in the movement nationally and internationally. No doubt talk will include how our artisan partners are doing; how recent trade agreements expiring has affected our pricing of goods, how raw material prices of commodities like cotton is affecting availability. Also on the table will be the increase in demand for fair trade products as more consumers are demanding fair trade and accountability from their merchants.

And, that fact that this conference overlaps Mother’s Day is a good a time as any to remind ourselves of the mothers everywhere who have to sacrifice so much to send their children to school or provide food for their families.

Please join me, and thousands of others in the United States and all over the world, as we strive to make our world a more just place for everyone to live.

Take a Fair Trade Break – and let us know how you are celebrating fair trade during this year’s annual celebration. And, if you’re in my hometown of Chicago, visit Daley Plaza on Friday where we’ll be celebrating Chicago as a Fair Trade City! Two years in the making, we finally did it – and we’re one of the largest cities in the country to achieve this milestone. But this is just the beginning…there is still much to do to educate others as to why fair trade is important. Want to get involved, contact your local city or community organizing group. If one doesn’t exist, why not start one? You can find help in organizing here.

However you celebrate, please share it with us. Each one of us has amazing capacity to make a difference ~ but can you imagine what we can do when we collaborate at work together?

Did you take a fair trade break today?

~Megy