Fair market values - Shopping movement offers guilt-free gifts

from the Tacoma News Tribune

Church groups, shops ensure artisans are fairly paid as they sell items from around the world

DEBBIE CAFAZZO; The News Tribune

Think of it as your personal contribution to peace on Earth this holiday season. A combination of South Sound shops and church-sponsored events offers you the chance to purchase fairly traded gift items crafted by artisans from Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

What is fair trade?

It’s a growing movement designed to ensure producers of goods around the world are paid fair wages for their work. The goal is to compensate them adequately so that they can work their way out of poverty.

The fair trade movement also emphasizes environmental sustainability, respect for distinct cultures and democratic workplaces. Often, the goods are produced by craftspeople who form a cooperative that uses profits to invest in health care, child care, education and other community needs.

This year will mark the sixth year that members of St. Leo Parish in Tacoma have held their Fair Trade Market during the Christmas shopping season. Dick Meyer, founder of two South Sound businesses that sell fair trade goods – at Antique Sandwich Co. in Tacoma and at Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art in Olympia – has been involved in the movement since the early 1990s. Rebecca Hunt opened Global Creations, a fair trade gift shop in Tacoma’s Freighthouse Square, in July.

All share a passion for improving the lives of people around the globe.

“Fair trade is a politically charged term,” says Hunt. “For me, it means people making items, being paid ethically, not working in a sweatshop or using child labor.”

“Many fair traders do more than just purchase equitably,” Meyer says. Many of the nonprofit groups that buy goods from artisans also offer technical assistance and help with product development.

“One principal of fair trade is a long-term commitment” to the producers, Meyer adds.

Mary Bradford, pastoral assistant for social ministry at St. Leo, says fair trade concepts click with Catholic teaching on social issues.

“Fair trade is the opposite of the general economy, which is a race to see how low wages can get,” she says. Fair trade “turns it around and says everyone deserves to make a living wage.”

Worldwide, fair trade sales totaled $2.6 billion in 2006, according to the International Fair Trade Association. In North America, sales made through members of the Fair Trade Federation – a group Meyer helped organize – totaled more than $160 million in 2006. But although the movement is growing both locally and globally, it still represents just a tiny fraction of worldwide trade. The Fair Trade Federation estimates that fair trade accounts for just .01 percent of the $3.6 trillion in goods exchanged around the world.

Shoppers are sometimes surprised at how reasonably priced fair trade goods can be, says Karen Giguere, manager of the corner of Pacific Lutheran University’s new bookstore that carries fair trade items. One reason: The so-called “middleman” in fair trade transactions is often a nonprofit group. Among the most widely known: Ten Thousand Villages, A Greater Gift/SERRV International, Equal Exchange, Lutheran World Relief.

Fair trade items are often sold with a label explaining the cultural significance of the piece. Others come signed by the artist. Still others prove the inventiveness of some of the world’s poorest people, who turn used juice boxes into tote bags and old soda cans into Christmas angels.

“Everything has a story,” says Hunt.

As with all grass-roots movements, there’s bound to be some skepticism from consumers. How can shoppers be sure that what they’re buying is truly fairly traded?

Meyer says there is an element of trust involved. While applicants to the Fair Trade Federation are screened, he acknowledges that the organization doesn’t have the resources to travel to each product’s country of origin.

“The only way for our movement to stay true to its principals is to be as transparent as possible,” he says.

“Fair trade now is where organics were 20 years ago,” says Bradford. “I’m a firm believer in the power in one individual’s actions. Any great movement started with one person saying, ‘This is the right thing to do.’”

Debbie Cafazzo: 253-597-8635

debbie.cafazzo@thenewstribune.com

CHURCHES

Ends of the Earth Fair Trade Store

History: Opened about two years ago by First United Methodist Church of Tacoma. Merchandise is temporarily housed at another church while the Methodists wait to move into a new home.

Coming up: Ends of the Earth will be at fair trade markets hosted by three other churches. (See details below.)

Merchandise sampler: Purses from India (hand-beaded, $36) or Guatemala (woven, $22); pillow slipcovers with animal motifs from Kenya, $8; stuffed doll from Nigeria, $14

Information: 253-627-0129

Lutheran World Relief Fair Trade Market

Where: Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1001 Princeton St., Fircrest

When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday

History: This is the church’s first fair-trade event. Sale items come from Lutheran World Relief.

Merchandise sampler: Domino set, $22; onyx candle holder, $12; olive wood Nativity ornament, $10; Indonesian fans, $15

Information: 253-564-5053

St. Leo Fair Trade Market

Where: Catholic Community Services, 1323 S. Yakima Ave., Tacoma

When: 3-7 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday

History: This is the sixth year for the sale, which includes goods from Ends of the Earth.

Merchandise sampler: Decorative baskets from Rwanda, $12-$25; Nativity sets from Peru, Haiti, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka: $15-$45; musical instruments and toys from around the world, $5-$50

Information: 253-272-5136

Fair Trade Bazaar

Where: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church by the Narrows, 6730 N. 17th St., Tacoma

When: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 2

History: Two years ago, the church’s fair trade committee started to educate the congregation about fair trade. The church began serving fair trade coffee and tea at fellowship times, then began offering Sunday sales of fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate and cocoa.

Merchandise sampler: Comes from Ends of the Earth store

Information: 253-752-4966

Alternative Christmas Market

Where: Bethany Presbyterian Church, 4420 N. 41st St., Tacoma

When: Noon-3 p.m. Dec. 2

History: This is the church’s 20th year hosting an alternative gift market.

Merchandise sampler: In addition to items from Ends of the Earth, the market will also include crafts made by Tacoma-area nonprofit groups. Items include honey made by members of Eastside 4-H and handmade paper, cards and notebooks from members of L’Arche Farm and Gardens.

Information: 253-752-1123

SHOPS

Pacific Lutheran University Fair Trade and World Goods/Garfield Book Co.

Where: 208 Garfield St., Parkland

Store hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays

History: Opened this fall, the shop is in a corner of the Garfield Book Company. Half the items in the shop have Scandinavian connections and celebrate the university’s heritage. The other half are fair trade goods from around the world.

Merchandise sampler: Wooden frog-shaped percussion instruments from Vietnam, $13.50-$19.95; Nicaraguan pottery signed by the artist, $31; bracelets woven from discarded plastic mats and rugs in Burkina Faso, $2.50

Information: 253-535-7665

Global Creations

Where: Suite 40, Freighthouse Square, 430 E. 25th St., Tacoma

Store hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays

History: Opened in July. Owner Rebecca Hunt was inspired to open her shop after trips to visit friends abroad. She especially loves arts and crafts from Africa.

Merchandise sampler: Beaded bangle bracelet from Tanzania, $5; leather beaded sandals made by Masai people of East Africa, $35; tote bags woven from discarded juice boxes in the Philippines, $10-$17

Information: 253-627-8482

Antique Sandwich Co.

Where: 5102 N. Pearl St., Tacoma

Store hours: 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m. every day except Tuesdays (open-mike night) when it’s open 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

History: Opened in 1993 in a corner of the cafe

Merchandise sampler: Gray wool and hemp sweater from Nepal, $114; tatami purse, woven from the tall grasses of Cambodia, $23; tiny drawstring bags from Nepal, 90 cents

Information: 253-752-4069