Fair Trade Blog

That’s what is posted on a small sign outside the retail greenhouse in our village of Gays Mills, Wisconsin, where we live.

It’s not your usual come on for a retailer. If I said it to you as you passed our shop on the sidewalk, I would be rude and insenstive. Still, I chuckle to myself everytime I see it.

We live in a village of 625 and counting down — but that’s another blog post.  Anyway, if we want the greenhouse to stay open, we have to walk in and spend money, regularly.  The greenhouse owner knows that, and we know that, so that’s why that little sign is posted near his front door, and why I see it when we stop each spring and fall to buy plants. 

The same is true of any business, whether it’s down the steet from you or not.  The technologies of travel and information exchange have made new forms of community possible and real.  In many ways, the Fair Trade community would not be possible if not for speedy travel and instant communications.  It’s allowing me to talk to you, a member this particular community, even if I never met you before.  

But just because we have a global reach doesn’t mean we don’t need you to survive and thrive.  We have a little community too, it’s just spread out over four or five continents and we all have to support each other.

So, let’s take a look at that sign again: 

“Get in here and buy something!”

… and keep shopping your good values!

Arghand Cooperative, maker of wonderful soaps, body oils, and scarves in Afghanistan, is once again facing a big challenge. So many of you have purchased their products, so I thought you would appreciate an update.

Until recently, the Canadian Military was allowing the cooperative to use their postal service at Kandahar Air Field to deliver product to North America.  Suddenly, they shut down that option without explanation.  The cooperative has been scrambling to find an alternative.  Word is they have uncovered some promising leads.

Unfortunately, hundreds of packages of Pebbles (my favorite item) are waiting in Kandahar for a way to our store and others.  That’s why they are currently unavailable on our website.  We still have plenty of single pieces in great varieties like Desert Fields and Pomegranate.

The good news is that the solar power system, so long in coming, is up and running! The 14 members of the cooperative are no longer at the mercy of the local power grid, so they can run their oil presses and other equipment whenever needed.  This means Arghand will be able to produce body oils again.

Here are a couple of photos.  On the right are the new solar panels on the roof.  On the left, Abd Al-Ahad and Bacha work on the installation.

Keep shopping your good values!