Shopping for a Change Celebrates Fair Trade Month

October is Fair Trade Month. Fair Trade USA, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, is the foremost third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the U.S. They enable consumers to make a difference with their donations. Fair Trade USA helps create healthy people and a sustainable planet. They provide farmers in developing nations the tools they need to grow as international business people. Fair Trade USA uses a market-based approach that encourages independence while providing farmers with fair prices, workers with safe conditions, and entire communities resources for fair, healthy and sustainable lives. Fair Trade USA seeks to eliminate exploitation and to create conscious consumers.

This week, Shopping for a Change welcomes four new artisan groups: PACT, Mushana, Mushmina and Dsenyo.

PACT is a fair trade clothing business specializing in the manufacturing of socks, apparel and packaging in Turkey. Their cotton is sourced from a single organic cotton cooperative across 3 states of India. This encompasses over 10,000 farmers who are shareholders and practice non-GMO organic farming.

Mushana, was founded in 2009 by Angela Tucci Robinson. Through ethical consumerism, their vision is to build lasting bonds, while creating a lifestyle brand that would allow artisan men and women in Ugandan communities to connect with U.S. consumers.

Founded by sisters Heather and Katie O’Neill, Mushmina's mission is to create fair trade products with cultural integrity and soul. The sisters provide employment opportunities for both male and female artisans through workshops and small businesses in Morocco, who specialize in metal-smithing, leather-working and textile production.

Marissa Perry Saint founded the social enterprise Dsenyo, with a focus on African textiles. Dsenyo works directly with 120 women and artisans in Malawi and Northeastern Brazil to create a line of exclusive fair trade gifts. Dsenyo not only creates jobs-- they also donate 3% of sales to community development projects in Malawi and collaborate with nonprofits to assist them in raising money for their causes.
Take a look at some of our new accessory items here.