Reader Joanna wrote in to tip us off to a beautiful fair trade baby blanket she spotted at Global Exchange and we thought it was worth checking out their whole site.
Global Exchange sells fair trade goods - what exactly does fair trade mean, you're wondering?
- Fair trade means that trading partnerships are based on reciprocal benefits and mutual respect. Therefore, farmers, workers, and artisans:
- Receive a fair price under direct long-term contracts
- Are small-scale producers in democratic co-ops or workers on larger farms who receive a living wage and can bargain collectively
- Don't use abusive child labor or forced labor
- Are guaranteed national health safety and minimum wage
- Use ecologically sustainable methods and conserve natural resources
The baby blanket Joanna spotted (above right) depicts the story of the Tortoise and the Hare and is currently on sale for $59. The wooden stackable lion family (above left) is made in India ($21) and uses vegetable dyes and also comes as a frog or penguin family.
A few more of our favorites:
This handsome set of wood dominoes, made in Thailand, are handpainted and and come in a wooden box ($18).
These colorful baby slippers ($12) are also made in Thailand by members of the Lisu tribe. Making this product helps some of the 22,000 member tribe to be self-sufficient without participating in the major industry of the region – poppy/opium cultivation.
You'll find plenty more to see at Global Exchange including clothing, coffee, tea and chocolate, music, books, and home items. Or, if you're in San Francisco, Berkeley or Portland, you can stop in at a Global Exchange store.
those baby slippers are cute! I hope they get more of these in stock http://store.gxonlinestore.org/zenchimes.html
view Lizzykewl's profile
We used Global Exchange for our company gift baskets for the past two years. They have a great selection and very good customer service.
view mmmm, brains's profile