Fair Trade Month (+ an awesome giveaway!)

When Fair Trade USA, a nonprofit, reached out to me about spreading awareness for Fair Trade Month, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. They sent an incredible gift package and offered to send the same gift package to a lucky reader. I’m excited to spread the word about this important organization. Read on for more info about Fair Trade and your chance to participate in a fantastic giveaway (valued at over $500).

 Hi guys! How’s your morning going? Hope you’re having a great one so far <3

I’ve been looking forward to writing this post and sharing such a wonderful giveaway, especially after learning more about Fair Trade and their unique mission.moccs (1 of 1)

So what is Fair Trade?

Fair Trade means that the consumer is able to purchase quality products, but that the people who work hard to produce the goods are paid fairly for their work. Everyday Fair Trade purchases support farmers and factory workers by providing safe work environments, extra money to invest in their communities, and the ability to improve the lives of their families.

Some benefits of Fair Trade:

Fair price and reduction of poverty. When the market dips, farmers are paid a floor, called the Fair Trade Minimum Price, to protect them from going out of business. Many factory workers in over 70 countries survive on less than $2 per day. The support and resources provided by Fair Trade enable them to rise from poverty with sustainable wages.

-Workplace safety. Fair Trade Certified factories must adhere to internationally-recognized safety and labor guidelines.

-No child labor. Itโ€™s strictly prohibited under Fair Trade, and many farms will invest their Fair Trade premiums to keep children in school, as almost 100 million children around the world (ages 5-17) work in agriculture. 

-Environmental conservation. Fair Trade farmers adhere to stringent environmental guidelines to preserve our natural resources. The higher prices of the goods enable them to invest in sustainable production practices.

-Food safety. Farm Trade Certified farms are prohibited from using the most toxic agrochemicals, GMOs, and farming techniques that destroy the environment. Many premiums are invested in endeavors such as safe water disposal, etc. 

-Education and Womenโ€™s Empowerment. Women have equal representation and access to leadership roles. Many factories and farms will use their premiums to invest in building schools, providing school supplies and funding scholarship programs.

I was excited to learn that many brands I know and love are Fair Trade Certified, including these chocolatecoffee and apparel brands.

Fair Trade USA paired me up with a factory worker, to learn her story and experience working in the Fair Trade environment.

This is Alka Nim, 28, from Mahu, Madhya Pradesh, India.

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Sheโ€™s 28 years old, and works as a tailor in Pratibha Syntex, in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, India. She has worked at the factory for 9 years and is a member of the factoryโ€™s Fair Trade Committee.

She says, “I really appreciate all the standards in place that make this a great workplace. Things like air conditioning, water coolers, fixed hours, transportation are not a given at other garment factories. Caste, status and sexual harassment are not a problem here either.โ€ With her work on the Fair Trade Committee, she submits proposals that would benefit her colleagues. The recent proposal sheโ€™ll submit is to provide raincoats for employees that have long commutes (as she travels 30 km to work by bus) and distributing small gifts through the holiday season. 

Now, a fabulous giveaway opportunity, courtesy of my friends at Fair Trade USA and the brands who generously donated the following goodies.

Here are the items that one lucky winner will receive:

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Oliberte moccasions. I LOVE moccasins over the holiday season, and Oliberte is the first company to provide Fair Trade Certified footwear! These are super comfy and so cute with leggings or jeans.

Patagonia hoodie. I already love the Patagonia brand; their Fair Trade Certified yoga collection is brand new. This hoodie is extremely soft and dreamy.

PACT leggings, cami and a v-neck. These are perfect staple pieces: well-made with a flattering fit.

PrAna wrap. A classic drapy sweater which is great for layering or wearing to and from yoga class.

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Under the Canopy Kimono robe. Itโ€™s lightweight and super soft!

Boll & Branch cable knit throw. This throw is everything. The fabric is like being hugged by an angel.

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+ Fair Trade Certified snacks and treats 

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Just enter via the widget below!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway will end Friday, October 31 (talk about a Halloween treat!) and Iโ€™ll post the winner then.

Readyโ€ฆ. setโ€ฆ go ๐Ÿ™‚

xoxo

Gina

*This isn’t a sponsored post. I was very excited to spread the word about this organization and share some fabulous goodies with a lucky winner. xo

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80 Comments

  1. Sener on October 30, 2014 at 8:52 am

    What a great giveaway. I would love to win this for my wife. She is always looking to buy more fairtrade items.

  2. Clara on October 30, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    This is an awesome giveaway! I always enjoy learning about fair trade this time of the year. Happy Halloween!

  3. Farah on October 30, 2014 at 6:45 pm

    i love learning about Fair Trade – and this is a really generous giveaway!

  4. Kate on October 31, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    Wow! Spreading the good word about fair trade and sharing these beautiful things, such as splendid idea. Thank you Gina!

  5. Barbara-Anne Mansfield on November 2, 2014 at 11:34 am

    Who won the giveaway?

    • Fitnessista on November 2, 2014 at 2:40 pm

      i’m waiting to get the info from my contact. i’ll be sure to put it up as soon as i get it!! so so excited to find out

      • Barbara-Anne Mansfield on November 10, 2014 at 12:15 pm

        Still waiting to find out who won this awesome fair trade package?

        • Fitnessista on November 10, 2014 at 2:49 pm

          Her name is Ariel p and her goodies are on the way. I announced it in a following post but need to update this one!

  6. Ariel on January 12, 2015 at 11:36 am

    I’m so sad…I’ve only received the blanket from winning this giveaway…I’ve been in touch with the contact you gave me, but she doesn’t seem to be that helpful in finding out why nothing has been sent. I was wondering if you could help me, as I am so excited to finally receive my gifts! Thanks! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Fitnessista on January 12, 2015 at 2:25 pm

      i will reach out to her today and see what’s going on!

      • Ariel on January 12, 2015 at 4:18 pm

        Thank you!!! :)!

        • Fitnessista on January 12, 2015 at 4:36 pm

          i sent an email. i will let you know what she says! so sorry you haven’t received it yet.

          • Ariel on January 13, 2015 at 7:41 am

            thank you so much! and its no big deal, I mean, I was just lucky to win in the first place…I’m just so excited for my goodies, all this waiting has been killing me! ๐Ÿ™‚



          • Fitnessista on January 13, 2015 at 10:22 am

            just heard back! will email you now ๐Ÿ™‚



  7. […] to my last post, they paired me up with a Fair Trade mom so I could learn more about her story and experience with […]

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