We just got fair trade fragrances to add to our mix of holiday goodies. Choose from ornaments, nativities, holiday decor, and gourmet foods. We have clothing, candles, jewelry, home decor, bath and body items and much more!

Whatever your political stripe, it occurs to me that protests come in two forms in this country — the formal and informal.  The last election was an insitutional protest that took power from one party and gave it to another.  The protests we have had recently are a grassroots reaction from people who felt they were not being heard.

So, if you take my reasoning further, Fair Trade is like an institutional protest.  We use our Fair Trade dollars through a formal system to channel money to those most in need instead of businesses only interested in their bottom line. 

Fair Trade dollars are not pure protest.  Protest is normally directed against a status quo, or created as an effort to block an action.  Fair Trade was developed to support positive actions that help people in disadvantaged situations gain a living wage, eduction, economic safety, and/or a voice in their own future.   

It is positive protest for the best of reasons.

She said she always felt like she was buying more than the items themselves when she came to our store. She stumbled a little with her explanation, but I think I realized what she meant.  So, as I gently patted each of the items, I told her a benefit beyond money.   “Gives employment outside the poppy trade” I said as I patted the Arghand soap.  “Goes to an education fund in Mexico,” I offered as I patted a woven purse;  “Supports families in Ecuador,”  I said patting the glittens; and finally, “supports a local author,” I said as I patted the copy of the book she had picked up.

We marveled for a quiet moment, not saying anything.  I was perhaps more impressed than she was for having rattled it off so efficiently. 

So come in and test me.  If I can’t give describe a benefit to someone aside from passing them a few bucks for their work, then I haven’t earned that purchase and I’ll give you that item for free.

A first-time customer just left with purchases that put a smile on her face, calling our shop the “Politically Correct Pier 1.” With a laugh, I replied that we both import our goods from all over the world, but WE do it in a sustainable way. 

Baggage attached to the term “politically correct” aside, I took it as a compliment.  I have always thought Pier 1 did a great job of finding interesting and offbeat merchandize, putting it all together in a warm and friendly way.  They know how to make shopping an attractive experience. 

They are not, however, out to make the world a better place.  Sustainability, living wages, and a global community is not their bottom line, it’s profit. 

But if you like the sensory experience of Pier 1, I think you might enjoy your visit in our shop just as much.  When you make your purchase, though, there will be a world of difference.

The country has had a long, but tenuous relationship with democracy. During the earlier part of the last century, elected regimes held power, but many of them were weak or authoritarian.  Then in the early 70s, military juntas ruled the country. Modern democracy, with a new consititution, emerged in the late seventies. 

One of the indirect benefits of Fair Trade is that it promotes stability in many ways.  Fair trade is based on democratic principles.  In the many cooperatives in which Fair Trade goods are produced, each member has an equal say in management.  Many Fair Trade goods are produced by family owned businesses as well — families in which business decisions are made together. 

The principles of social justice are propogated to the larger community through Fair Trade ventures. There is a strong presence of Fair Trade in Ecuador among artisans and producers. In the long run this supports democratic institutions. 

The country is quieter this week, but rests in the shadow of last week’s turmoil and the knowledge that democracy could be swept aside again.

Fair Trade has been affected in Pakistan.  A Fair Trade Labeling liaison officer in the Baltistan region of Gilgit reports that 52 people have died and a landslide in the Gizar area took 20 lives. The Gilgit area is home to a number of Fairtrade certified fruit farmers.

The long term damage is severe since the bridges on the only road through the region have been destroyed along with homes and businesses. 

Natural disasters, unfortunately, are on the rise.  Climate change is causing more flooding, drought, and severe tropical storms.  As the population in vulnerable areas continues to increase the impact continues to build. 

Many of these areas are the same areas where Fair Trade is not only needed but thriving.

That’s not the only thing you can do with an old seat belt.  Turns out you can make a nice handbag as well.   Conserve India, a recycling company in Dehli, uses a range of the city’s waste to make high fashion items like wallets, purses, and handbags.  They employ some of India’s most disadvantaged people and the profits from sales go back into the community to support education and other programs.

So, buckle up, for the high fashion ride! 

Keep shopping your good values!

When we first opened the shop, I was looking for products as well as ways to make it a beautiful and attractive spot. One of our neighbors was selling a collection of plants he had grown, so we struck a deal and I offered some for sale while they greened up our store.

A few didn’t sell, including a little cactus which got moved time and again but never found a new home.  For the last year a half, it sat, inscrutable and barely noticed, in a side window of the shop.  Cacti like to be ignored, so it seemed happy enough to have water trickled on it once in a while.

When spring came this year, it developed a little bud on top.  Not knowing much about cacti, I thought perhaps it was finally deciding to grow.  Imagine my surprise when I came back from a long weekend and discovered a large pink bloom crowning my little cactus.

Surprise Bloom

It reminds me of the best attributes of Fair Trade.  Fair Trade is most beneficial when it takes root and blooms in economic deserts where opportunity is scarce — in places where Fair Trade becomes a rare gift.

Farmers markets are popping up everywhere. The newest is right in the park across the river from our house on Wednesday nights!  There’s nothing better than buying just-picked produce, but we can only eat so much!    

That’s why people have been canning and drying food for hundreds of years.  It also explains why there is such a growing need for kitchen space in the Kickapoo Valley.  With a local cottage industry to preserve and dry fruits and vegetables, we can enjoy local food through the winter while we provide more income for our farm families.

So, in association with our store Rhubarb, we will soon have a shiny new kitchen open to the community for canning and baking.  Our first tenant will be processing a gluten product for a large maker of vegetarian patties and hot dogs.  When he moves on to a larger space, we will open our kitchen to local entrepreneurs that want to make value-added products from the local bounty.

It’s been a difficult process, but we believe we are filling a need.  Having new and exciting handmade products from our kitchen is indeed a tasty prospect! 

Laying tile in the kitchen space.

Keep shopping your good values!

More importantly than that, I feared the members would loose the livelyhood they had built over the last several years.  You and I have played a small part in helping them build better lives. 

Miraculously, just the opposite has happened.  The latest information describes a cooperative that continues to grow and thrive.

• The solar electic system is providing power 24/7, allowing members to press seed for oil up to 4-5 hours per day.
• Two more men and two new women have joined the coop.
• A new business plan has been created.
• New products are coming soon including lip balm, body lotion, and face cream.

Finally, let me share this quote from a recent e-mail.  “so we have decided as a group to leave politics aside and thrust ourselves back into the work of tranforming the agricultural bounty of southern Afghanistan into luxurious soaps and skin care products.”

Keep shopping your good values!