A couple of Sundays ago, I went to an Alternative Gift Faire in La Mesa. I had stumbled upon this event when researching about Fair Trade after finding out that a proposal for declaring La Mesa, a Fair Trade Town was voted down. What I really enjoyed about the afternoon was everyone had a common thread- they all supported Fair Trade. All the vendors were committed to selling goods that were Fair Trade certified. What does this mean? What is Fair Trade? Well that means that the goods or the materials used to make the product were bought by a supplier that was given a fair wage, the working conditions were of ethical standard and no child labor was used in the making of the product. My favorite soap supplier Dr. Bronner was there, I swear by Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-one magic soaps. They truly are magical. My excitement went up a few notches that they had a booth at the event- I am a total evangelist of that stuff.
Dr. Bronner’s sells more than soaps, they actually weren’t selling anything that day, they were giving out samples of their soaps and coconut oil mixed with organic chocolate and flaxseed. I talked to a few San Diego Fair Trade Board Members about what Fair Trade is. The sentiment was it was all about taking care of one another, being fair, and taking pride in the products you use. I talked to the owner of franchise owner of Ben and Jerry’s in Seaport Village, He said that Ben and Jerry’s is committing to use all Fair Trade Ingredients by the year 2013.
This month is Fair Trade month, a month dedicated to promoting and celebrating the positive impact of Fair Trade. San Diego has a big Fair Trade community. There are over 100 merchants in that participate in Fair Trade in San Diego. I started thinking of all the products I buy and realized that it doesn’t take much to buy Fair Trade products. Any little contribution to the greater good and quality products, I am all for.
Check out these local San Diego-based Fair Trade products/shops:
Angell Bars are made with organic and fair trade ingredients. The Angell Crisp bars are so good. The rice crispies embedded in the chocolate create a texture that is similar to a 100 Grand candy bar. This bar is gluten free and contains no corn syrup.
Soapmaking Studio: Take soapmaking classes and attend workshops in Lemon Grove
Seven Hopes United – A pop-up shop near Sears at UTC.
Around the World Gifts – A Fair Trade and Hand-Made shop in Old Town
Giveaway – Win this really cool paper maché bowl courtesy of Ethical Ocean. All you need to do is comment below and tell me what your favorite charitable cause is, I will randomly pick a winner using Random.org on Sunday , 10/30 at 10pm. Bowl will be sent direct to winner by representatives of Ethical Ocean. CMP.LY/0
About Bowls by Bundu: Gorgeous on a coffee table or as a fruit bowl, this paper maché bowl by Bundu was made by a group of HIV positive mothers who are earning an income and health education in Southern Africa. Many of the artisans that make the Fair Trade goods have a story behind the products. I guess this what makes Fair Trade items so special, there is a face and a purpose behind the person who made the product.
Secrets in San Diego 
My favorite charitable cause right now is the ASPCA
My charitable cause is my daughter’s school!
Make a Wish Foundation. Especially around the holidays…it brings me to tears to see children asking for things that most people take for granted.
Kids’ school, too. 🙂 Also, Toys for Tots. This was a neat post.
Just want to kudo the Angell bars – they are some of the best chocolate bars I’ve had in a long time. If you see them, try one! I can’t say I have a favorite cause but right now it’s animal related stuff, like The Barking Lot, where my dog came from.
Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation, as well as Ronald McDonald House.
Rady Children’s, Make A Wish, HWAC and my kid’s school!
GREAT finds, Jen. Thank you. The Unity Center has a great gift store with many fair trade products. They offer unique items from many countries where people are making a difference through fair trade. I’ll be doing some of my holiday shopping there for sure!
That bowl is awesome! My favorite charity is Soles for Souls, and I just found out about Tom’s (a shoe company that donates one pair of shoes for every pair sold).
My favorite charity is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Love this bowl!
Congratulations the random # was 10. You won the bowl.
My favorite is Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang.
My favorite is Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang.
My charity is Promises2Kids. I love what they do for kids transitioning from abusive homes to foster homes.