Fair Trade movement helps disadvantaged

Recently there have been news articles about helping those in poverty-stricken Third World countries. There have been articles about how to make better purchasing decisions that will serve the Earth and its people in a better way. We'd like to chime in to say people can participate in these important concerns in part by purchasing Fair Trade goods (not to be confused with Free Trade).

Fair Trade businesses commit to providing opportunities to disadvantaged people while also supporting environmentally sustainable practices. Fair trade gives indigenous cultures opportunities to make an income in ways not damaging to the environment. Fair trade promotes healthy and safe working conditions and discourages forced and exploitative child labor. Many programs support education and medical care to villages throughout the world.

Fair Trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach to alleviating global poverty and promoting sustainability. The Fair Trade movement promotes social and environmental standards related to the production of goods. Fair Trade is not an attempt to reverse the global nature of the business environment today.

Individuals can support Fair Trade by educating their communities and by bringing fairly traded items into their home, office, faith community and school and by supporting businesses which sell Fair Trade products.

As we get closer to the gift- giving season, we encourage you to choose Fair Trade.

Robin and David Crowell

Canton