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.
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. It’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 Women’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 chocolate, coffee 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.
She’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 factory’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.” With her work on the Fair Trade Committee, she submits proposals that would benefit her colleagues. The recent proposal she’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:
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.
Under the Canopy Kimono robe. It’s lightweight and super soft!
Boll & Branch cable knit throw. This throw is everything. The fabric is like being hugged by an angel.
+ Fair Trade Certified snacks and treats
Just enter via the widget below!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway will end Friday, October 31 (talk about a Halloween treat!) and I’ll post the winner then.
Ready…. set… go 🙂
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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What an amazing idea to host a fair trade giveaway! I always look for the Fair Trade label and am so excited that you introduced me to a few new brands offering Fair Trade. I’ve always loved Patagonia, but had no idea of their new line. Winning all the goodies wouldn’t hurt either!! 🙂
Love this Gina!
This is such an amazing giveaway! It is wonderful that they not only set you up with the information and goods but also connected you with a fair trade worker. When I read her story I felt so grateful but also kind of bad because the things she talks about that they worked hard for are things I take advantage of every day. The next time the husband and I talk about what to set the thermostat on overnight I’m going to think about her and be really grateful that we have heat. <3
it certainly puts things into perspective <3
What an awesome giveaway! LOVE Fair Trade products!
Great info! How do you know if something’s Fair Trade? Is it labeled a certain way of do you have to look at the company’s website?
Hi Megan! Great question 🙂 All you have to do is look for the Fair Trade Certified label when you shop (that green one you see above in some of the pictures)! That’s how you’ll know that the product you’re purchasing was produced in a way that supports both people and planet! 🙂
Holy amazing! I love hearing a product is Fair Trade… makes you feel good when purchasing. Thank you for showing lots of fair-trade goodies! Now off to check out Patagonia….
Yay! thanks for the giveaway!
10/10 done ! What an amazing giveaway. I would love to win it…. everything looks so cozy and good.
I volunteered with a FT organization a few years ago, called OxFam. ColdPlay is a fan of that particular group and they had a free concert entry as a reward for volunteering.
wahoo! yes, it’s basically box of cozy goodness 🙂
that is really cool that coldplay did a concert afterwards!! 🙂 googling oxfam now!
Amazing giveaway! I am a firm believer in supporting fair trade.
This is an amazing giveaway! I love that you’re using your blog to support such a great cause <3
<3 thank you, danica!
What an awesome organization. Thanks for the post, I had never heard of Fair Trade before, but now I will be more conscious of brands that participate.
This is awesome! I’ve recently become more conscious about purchasing fair trade products.
This is incredible and I love! Being from Pakistan, it makes me feel good that there is an organization such as this that is making lives of so many so much better. this is a great cause to share on your blog and I’m so happy that you bought attention to them:)
<3 thank you so much, sana! happy to hear you enjoyed it
Wow truly amazing and an awesome giveaway. You have such a great heart <3
<3 <3
Such an amazing giveaway. 🙂
What a great giveaway! Thanks for giving us something to keep in mind when buying products. Really interesting hearing about Alka’s story.
i loved learning more about her, too 🙂 xoxo
That is so cool that they actually paired you with someone to learn about their story! How amazing. It really puts a face to the cause. And all of that stuff is great!
it was amazing to learn a story behind the products <3
What an awesome giveaway!
I love TOMS coffee and those Bark Thins! What a great giveaway!
i read this comment and opened the bark thins. SNACKING CHOCOLATE. best thing ever haha
Wow this is maybe the best giveaway yet!
right?!? such a great one!
Love Fair Trade items & the giveaway sounds awesome. I’m a little bummed as someone who pretty much eschews social media that all the options on the widget are for Twitter/Pinterest/Facebook. I think that’s probably the wave of the future and totay get that it’s a major exposure tool for bloggers and companies but I’m still holding onto my simple life 🙂
i’m happy you’re in this little spot of the web, though- thank you! 🙂 xo
Thanks for bringing this giveaway to us! The clothes are adorable and the mission is amazing.
so happy you liked it! i was so excited about this one 🙂
It’s hard to find items that are worth spending your money on and that also stand for a mission you can really get behind and support so it’s good to know that those kinds of companies do exist!
Love this! What an amazing giveaway 🙂
Thank you!!! For hosting such an amazing giveaway. I think Fair Trade USA is awesome and it is amazing what they are doing to improve the lives, wages and work conditions around the world for many third world countries. I already buy many fair trade products, coffee included, but I really want to be more conscious of future purchases to expand it broader and include many items I use in my everyday life. Thanks again. #befair
Alka has such an amazing story, thanks for sharing! And for raising awareness 🙂 Fair Trade USA is a wonderful organization!
This is amazing on so many levels! I love the whole idea behind Fair Trade business and love supporting them! I’m happy that one of my fave (local!) chocolate companies actually pays their workers above fair trade! Super cool!
Wow, what an awesome giveaway!
This is so lovely! Fair Trade is so important, especially for those of us interested in healthy living since Fair Trade helps keep the globe healthy!!
This boxes is so amazing, I am in love with the moccasins and that hoodie. Such a perfect fall give away.
right?! so many awesome goodies! i think the moccs are my very favorite 🙂
This looks like an awesome giveaway! Thanks for hosting!!
love telling people about fair trade!
You look so beautiful in that picture- really serene and content.
thank you, neiry <3 xo
Love it all. Thanks, Gina!
Blown away by this giveaway!
Love it!
Awesome giveaway and i love that you are raising fair trade awareness ! more people need to be educated on it !
This is a great giveaway. Thanks for focusing on such an important topic.
I love all the new companies that are making Fair Trade products. Such gorgeous variety! love the mocs too — super cute for fall.
Such a unique giveaway with products you can really feel good about!
Awesome giveaway! Fingers crossed!
I love those shoes and that blanket, HELLO FALL and Winter!
Awesome way to spread the word about Fair Trade products – I can tell from the comments that a lot of people weren’t sure what fair trade meant! Also, Bark Thins are addictive and delicious 🙂
Sweet giveaway!
thank you for hosting such an amazing giveaway!! =)
im all about fair trade! love that you’re help to bring awareness to it. also, fair trade mocs!?! whaaat! <3
Wowza! So great of you to recognize and spread the word on Fair Trade, Gina!!
All about the fair trade! Bought a scarf last year from FashionABLE, such great causes!!
This is so cool! Thank you for spreading the word! It’s the little things we take for granted
what an awesome giveaway! So important to spread the Fair Trade message!!! Love that you support such important things. xoxo
Amazing giveaway!!
It’s so sad that those things she appreciates so much aren’t a given in every work environment over there. Hearing things like this just reminds me to be so very thankful for living where we do.