From the blog World of Green: World of Green, the leading destination for inspired living, is celebrating National Fair Trade month in October by promoting sustainable fair trade coffees, teas, chocolates, and a variety of fair trade, hand-made accessories and apparel. Through product giveaways and daily educational tips posted on their website, Facebook, and Twitter, World of Green hopes to broaden awareness of the Fair Trade movement which guarantees fair wages are paid to farmers and independent community co-operatives in disadvantaged countries. According to the Fair Trade Exchange, coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world after oil. Fair Trade certified coffee empowers coffee growers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities, protecting the environment, and developing the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace. Says founder Roberta Modena, “When we vote with our dollars, our actions as consumers can really make a difference.” Through their recent partnership with Eco Express, World of Green offers a variety of fair-trade brands of tasty chocolates, teas and coffee like the Buy Well brand which exists to make a difference for the coffee-growing communities. “Another advantage to buying a fair trade product,” says Modena “is knowing that sustainable, environmental practices have been used in the creation of that product, so we're preserving the planet when we buy fair trade products.” Organic coffee farmers do not use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides thereby protecting the land, air and waterways of their community as well as the future health of their families. In addition to agricultural products, World of Green features a growing number of Fair Trade Federation members that offer handmade jewelry, handbags, scarves, and apparel that all share the same values of providing economic opportunity and empowerment to local communities. Merchants like Annie O Boutique work with a women's cooperative in Peru to create financial independence through beautiful craftsmanship of their hand-woven, embroidered belts and clutches made from wool thread. Likewise, The Leakey Collection offers stylish jewelry made from natural elements like fallen wood, grass and ceramic beads by the Maasai women of Kenya. This provides financial stability for women and helps further their children's educational opportunities. For consumers looking for organic home linens and décor, Zen Deluxe specializes in luxurious, certified organic cotton with indigenous Bali vegetable dyes resulting in spectacular bedding, blankets, throws, and table linens. Sales from these products support re-forestation, organic farming and community empowering projects like the GreenSchool Bali scholarship fund. When we expand the use of Fair Trade in our homes, we not only support the people who make the items we enjoy, but we also support the environment, women's rights, children's rights, cultural dignity and producer independence. We know that converting our meals, décor, housewares, personal care products, and other common items, are powerful steps towards greater justice. BM
