Fair World Treasures

11 Sweet Ways to Support Fair Trade

2010-10-25T18:53:00.000-07:00

Chocolates and ice creams and sweets oh my! Now that Halloween’s right around the corner everyone is looking for something sugary to eat. Why not eat something sweet and make a difference at the same time? Here are 11 sweet treats you can purchase from some of your favorite major brands that also support the fair trade movement:

Chocolate

1. Cadbury’s Dairy Chocolate
2. Nestlé’s Kit Kat 4 Finger Dark or Milk Chocolate
3. Starbuck’s Dark or Milk Chocolate Bar
4. The Chocolate Factory’s Traditional Advent Calendar

Ice Cream

5. Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Macadamia Ice Cream
6. Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey Ice Cream
7. Ben & Jerry's Vanilla Ice Cream
8. Ben & Jerry's Vanilla Toffee Crunch Ice Cream

Baked Goods & More

9. Starbuck’s Chocolate Brownie
10. Starbuck’s Chocolate Chunk Shortbread
11. The Chocolate Factory’s Chocolate Covered Marshmallows

*Buy purchasing fair trade products you are supporting fair wages and healthy living conditions that help to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged men and women.

Who knew supporting fair trade could be so delicious?

~Maya

SASHA

2010-10-12T22:14:00.000-07:00

Check out our friend, SASHA!

SASHA is a not-for-profit marketing organization for craftspeople and producers from all over India. They have been in business for over 30 years! SASHA has a network of over 150 producer groups involving about 7000 artisans! Their main purpose is to develop craft communities so that artisans’ skills and creativity result in expression, recognition and fulfillment. Check them out!

http://www.sashaworld.com/

~Maya

Sport Fair Trade

2010-10-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

So I've been thinking about how fair trade is EVERYWHERE nowadays. We've seen and heard about fair trade becoming increasingly popular in the coffee & tea industry, the chocolate world, and in general the food and clothing departments. But you know what would be one area I would love to see fair trade items? The sports industry!

I LOVE sports. I've been a fan of watching, following, and participating in sports for as long as I can remember. How cool would it be if your favorite athletes not only sported (no pun intended) fair trade clothes like gym shoes and jerseys but also played with fair trade equipment? The good news is there are fair trade sports items! These items are out there however people don't know too much about them, at least I didn't until recently when I did my research. Here's the coolest part of all, some of these items are not only fair trade but they are eco-friendly as well! So if you're a sports lover like me but also want to support fair trade and help save our environment here is a website you can go to purchase fair trade and eco-friendly sporting equipment:

http://fairtradesportsretail.com/

-here you can find eco-friendly soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, rugby
balls and more!

Sport fair trade and help save our environment today!

~Maya

Who benefits from fair trade? Everyone!

2010-10-04T16:49:00.000-07:00

So far I’ve been telling you about what is fair trade, news and updates in the fair trade world, and reasons to support fair trade. Now that you’ve been educated on those areas, I’m sure you’ve asked yourself the question, “Who benefits from fair trade?” The answer to that question is simple, everyone! To make it easier, let’s break down all those who benefit into 3 categories: Farmers, Consumers, and the Environment.

Farmers—the benefits of fair trade practices on farmers (producers) are huge. These benefits include:

1. Increased annual incomes

2. Better chances to stay out of high interest debt

3. Improved infrastructure in the farming community

Consumers—the benefits of fair trade practices on consumers (buyers) are major as well:

1. On an emotional level, consumers have a clear conscience about their purchases

2. Consumers, through their purchasing power, are able to assist and empower others

3. Consumers become a part of a social justice movement through a simple action

Environment—the benefits of fair trade practices are not influential just on people! The world we live in is also impacted:

1. Farmer’s use organic methods which result in safer, sustainable, and more environmentally friendly practices that help conserve our environment

Like I said earlier, everyone benefits from fair trade practices. So the next time you’re wondering if you should support and purchase fair trade items know that the answer is yes since it’s a win-win situation for everyone. You can’t lose!

~Maya

October is National Book Month! Make a difference in your community by donating and recycling books.

2010-10-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

Since National Book Month starts today, let's make a difference in our communities by encouraging readers of all ages to enjoy books by recycling and donating them to places in need. Here are 10 ways to give your books away:

1. JustGIVE.org - This site provides a great list of places to donate just about anything! Whether you want to donate Books, Furniture, Household Good and Clothing, Computers, Cars, Cell Phones, Pet Supplies, and Eyeglasses you can find a resource here!

2. Friends of Libraries, USA - This group is currently accepting donations to rebuild libraries affected by hurricanes and more. You can ship books to them: 1420 Walnut St, Suite 450 Philadelphia, PA 19102-4017 Call: 215-790-1674; 215-790-1674, or 1-800 9-FOLUSA http://www.folusa.org/

3. Vietnam Veteran's Association - They have both pick up service and drop off service. There is a limit on the number of books you can donate at one time and not all areas have pick up service. They will also allow you to set up a monthly pick up. Simply set up a donation area in your home and fill up the yellow bag they give you every month.

4. Freecyle.org - Here you can list your ads for free and give your books or anything else away!

5. BookCrossing.com - The practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise. You can register your book and track its travels here!

6. Housing Works in NYC - 126 Crosby Street, NYC 10012 (212-334-3324, 212-334-3324). You can drop off or ship books to them. They work to end homelessness and AIDS in NYC. http://www.housingworks.org/usedbookcafe/donate.html

7. Craigslist.org - Here you can list your ads for free and give your books or anything else away!

8. Bridge to Asia's Textbook and Journal Donation Program - Not sure who would want your old textbooks and professional journals? This group seeks college, graduate, and professional level teaching and research materials in English. They collect books, journals and other forms of information, both used and new. www.bridge.org

9. PaperbackSwap.com - Here you can mail your books in and get credits. Then you can use your credits to get books you want.

10. BooksThroughBars.org - What better way to rehabilitate someone than through education and reading? This program provides books to prisoners. Before sending books, make sure you check the rules on what types of reading material each prison allows.

*Although many libraries don't take book donations anymore some still do so you might want to check your local library or a library near you that will take your books, even if your city or town does not.

~Maya

Need a reason to support fair trade? Here are 10!

2010-09-28T10:17:00.001-07:00

Many people wonder how much impact buying fair trade products really has on the world. They think to themselves “why would I buy fair trade items when I can buy similar items for a cheaper price?” Here are 10 reasons to purchase fair trade products:

1. Fair pay and working conditions for farmers and producers: Fair Trade products are made in safe and healthy working environments and farmers/producers receive a living wage.

2. Better for the environment: Fair Trade supports sustainable practices that minimize harm to our environment.

3. High quality goods: Artisans craft items that are often handmade. This results in detail oriented, higher-quality products.

4. Fresher food: Farmers invest their time in the entire production process. For example, crops are grown and harvested in smaller quantities. As a result, Fair Trade food is fresher.

5. Safety: Fair Trade actively promotes farm systems that improve preserve ecosystems and limit the use of harmful chemicals that present dangers to farmers’ health and the growing crops. As a result, the food that is grown is safer for you and the people who grow it.

6. Supports communities: Fair Trade artisans and small farmers are able to invest their wages into their communities, better housing, healthcare, and education.

7. Farmers: Fair Trade is committed to strengthening direct partnerships between buyers and producers. These partnerships result in purchasing quality products from people they trust and improving the lives of farmers, artisans, and their families.

8. Connects you with other cultures: Fair Trade products are unique to the places they come from and the people who make them. Fair Trade products reflect different cultures.

9. Sustaining local economies: Fair Trade gives farmers and artisans control of their own future. It keeps small businesses alive rather than having all profits go to big corporations.

10. What you buy matters: By choosing Fair Trade products, you are supporting fair wages and healthy living conditions that help to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged men and women.

Who would have thought our purchases can make a difference in the world?

~Maya

Are you a Starbuck's coffee lover? Make a difference in the world through what you drink!

2010-09-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

Are you one of the millions of Americans who can’t start their day without a cup of coffee from Starbuck’s in the morning? That’s okay, we’re not judging! But why not support a good cause while drinking your daily cup o’ Joe? Here are a couple fair trade friendly drinks from America’s most famous coffee brand:

1. Every latte is made with 100% Fair Trade Espresso Roast!
2. Also every cappuccino is made with 100% Fair Trade Espresso Roast!
3. Espresso Roast Decaf Whole Bean Coffee
4. Espresso Roast Whole Bean Coffee
5. Rwanda Whole Bean Coffee

Interested in fair trade coffee? Check out other companies across the nation that offer fair trade coffee at http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/fair-trade-coffee-44021508.

~Maya

Tony Visits FWT Artisans in India!

2010-09-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

Here are a couple pictures of some of FWT’s artisans. Tony Devassy, the assistant executive director, visited some of our talented artisans in Chittoor Kerala. The artisans are making bamboo and jute products. More pictures and information about the Devassy’s trip will be posted again soon!

~Maya

25% OFF SALE!!!

2010-09-15T11:06:00.000-07:00

Hey Fair Trade Fans!

We are excited to announce our 25% Off sale going on now until Friday, September 17th at midnight! Also enjoy FREE SHIPPING on everything as well! This sale applies to everything in our eBay store! Don't delay, start your early Christmas shopping today!

http://stores.ebay.com/Fair-World-Treasures

Happy Fair Trade Shopping!

- Fair World Treasures

Updates & News

2010-09-13T12:55:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Here are some updates on what’s going on with Fair World Treasures. Also below are some links to current Fair Trade news.

Fair World Treasures Updates

The president and assistant executive director of FWT are currently in India right now. They are visiting their families as well as visiting some of FWT’s talented artisans who are in the area. Pictures and more information about their trip will be posted soon!

Fair World Treasures will be at three different shows in the month of October! Come visit us if you’re in the area as we travel to different towns around our office based in Lockport, IL. Below is the information about where we will be in October. FWT will be at:

-The 2nd Annual Ladies Night Out Shopping Extravaganza hosted by the Willow Springs Lioness Club is October 14th from 6-9pm at the Willowbrook Ballroom 8900 South Archer Avenue Willow Springs, IL

-Saint Dennis Church for their annual Fair Trade Show from October 22nd-24th at 1214 South Hamilton Street Lockport, IL

-Assemblies of God Church in Joliet for their annual Fair Trade Show on October 30th at 1741 Essington Road Joliet, IL

We’ll be sending reminders of these upcoming shows when it gets closer to the date =)

Fair Trade News

Don’t know what’s going on in the Fair Trade world today? Here are some links to current Fair Trade news:

http://www.freep.com/article/20100912/FEATURES02/9120318/1027/Features02/Socially-conscious-shoppers-buy-fair-trade-but-what-does-it-mean …What exactly is fair trade? Click here to find out!

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/20100911ben__jerrys_founders_toast_boston_as_fair_trade_town/ …Ben & Jerry’s, the famous ice cream brand, plans to become 100 percent fair trade globally with all flavors by 2013! Read more here.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-bronner/going-fair-trade_b_712227.html …The Organic Consumers Association has launched the Fair World Project to promote fair trade in commerce, especially in organic production systems in developing countries as well as at home, and to protect the term "fair trade" from dilution and misuse for mere PR purposes. Find out more here!

~Maya

New Team Member: Maya Devassy

2010-08-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Fair Trade Fans! My name is Maya Devassy and I started working with Fair World Treasures in May of this year. I graduated in December 2009 from the University of Illinois but stayed at school through the middle of May because I was interning for a non-profit healthcare organization. Since my internship finished, I’ve been working full-time for FWT while job hunting.

The concept of fair trade is very important because the gap between the rich and the poor is constantly widening. For example, did you know the wealthiest 20% consume approximately 80% of the world’s resources? As a result the remaining 80%, which includes some of the world’s poorest countries, depend on the remaining 20% (or less) of the world’s resources. This leads to poor working environments, bad living conditions, hunger, poverty, etc. Through fair trade however, artisans who are working and living in deprived situations have a chance to increase their quality of life. By purchasing fair trade products, we are helping talented artisans receive a fair wage for their workmanship and more importantly, see that they have a sense of self-worth through their unique talents.

Like Ashley said, I know a lot of people think that fair trade products are expensive but it’s important to understand why they are more money than the average item. Many fair trade items are handmade and the money spent to buy a fair trade item goes back to the artisan(s) who created it. As a result, we are giving those artisans a fair wage to live a better quality life. Who would have thought we can make a real difference in the world through the things we buy?

Maya

New Team Member: Ashley Wydra

2010-08-17T09:06:00.000-07:00

Hey Fellow Fair Trade Fans!

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ashley Wydra and I started working with Fair World Treasures back in February of 2009. Since the inception of the company, we have undergone many changes, including becoming a nonprofit organization and expanding our product selection dramatically.

I'm currently working part-time for the organization since I have become a Realtor with Century 21 Pride. I think fair trade is so important, especially these days, because of the extreme poverty that these artisans are living in. They literally get a chance at a better life through fair trade. I know a lot of people think that fair trade products are more expensive and especially in this economy shy away from them, but that's not at all the case. I really urge you to take a look at our product selection which was all made by extremely talented artisan women and men.

We can make a difference in people's lives just through our purchases.

I look forward to blogging with you in the future! : )

- Ashley

Changes at Fair World Treasures

2010-08-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

There have been plenty of changes going on here at Fair World Treasures! We have had changes in staff, changes in products we sell, and changes in organizations we are working with! All these changes have been for the better...

Sorry we have not been keeping you in the loop. We had gotten several large shipments of products for India and between Green Festival and other obligations, we have not had a moment to update our blog. We have a few team members that will be working on our blog moving forward. We want each team member to introduce themselves to you in the coming weeks. Keep your eyes out for that.

We had some employees leave the company and have gained some new employees. We have also been working with volunteers who have been helping us unpack all of our shipments and tag the items in time for our festivals and trade shows. Through all the madness, we've really neglected our blog. We know it's important to keep our customers up-to-date on the changes at Fair World Treasures. We want to thank everyone for their support and the orders that we've been getting.

We look forward to our future with you all, keeping you informed and interacting with you on our blog. Please spread the word to your friends!

- Sincerely, Fair World Treasures Staff

New to Fair World Treasures

2010-03-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends of Fair World Treasures:

Just wanted to do a quick introduction about myself, my name is Jessy Rapp and I have joined Fair World Treasures as the new Marketing Assistant/Volunteer Coordinator. I am exciting to be joining such a great organization with a wonderful cause to help spread the word about what Fair Trade is here in the suburbs of Chicago. We will be having a lot of upcoming events and will be happy to update you all on all the new products that we receive as well as stories about some of the artisans that make the products, so stay tuned, there are a lot of exciting things to come!

PS: this weekend we will be joining the Queen of Peace High School at 7659 S. Linder Ave. Burbank, IL 60459 both Saturday & Sunday from 10:00AM-3:00PM

Our Brand New Blog!

2010-02-09T07:50:00.000-08:00

Fair World Treasures is very excited to announce the creation of our first blog! Here we will share all the details of our journeys to India and other countries, experiences with our artisans, and new products!

We hope that you will become a follower of our blog and interact with us!