For the most part, we have to buy things to survive: clothes, food, shelter etc. Many times, we buy things out of convenience. Now, I cannot and will not tell you what to buy. It is your money. Period. So I will tell you about me and my friends.
Recently, a friend exposed me to fair trade. What is fair trade, you ask? According to Fair Trade USA, Fair Trade is a global trade model and certification that allows shoppers to quickly identify products that were produced in an ethical manner. Now I am not endorsing anything by any means. I’m just doing a bit of educating. The short answer is that fair trade products are made with the intention of helping the local economy where the item is produced. It, in theory, helps people work for a living income, and helps to eliminate the middle man. Fair trade is also supposed to be environmentally sound. During the back to school sale, you may have seen information about how you could buy one item and the company would send another one to a child in need. Or you may have seen stores saying they would give up to a certain amount of medicine or money to developing countries if you donated. For many people, this is the season of joy and giving. Corner Santas will begin to pop-up, ringing their bell for their local charity. But what happens when the Santas leave? How can you donate when Santa is not watching? In a sense, fair trade allows you to continue to give back after the “season of giving” is over. And on the plus side, you still get your product. You don’t necessarily have to buy a “fair trade” brand to give back either. Shop locally. Support your town's businesses. Many of the owners are your neighbors and friends. If you can, support them without the friends and family discount.
Sometimes, we need to shop for convenience. Sometimes that is all we have access to. Sometimes, that is all that is in our budget. I understand that. I encourage you, if you can, investigate the companies you buy from, look into their work ethics. If you are able to, try to buy locally. Support the businesses you believe in, not just in word, but also in deed.
