The Power of Purchase
In response to Dr. Goodman-Bowling’s blog on fair trade labor practices, and the reason we should care about how the products we buy are made, this is a working list of some of our favorite places to shop, as suggested by CBU faculty, students, and community. Please feel free to add to the list in your comments below. Many of these are Corporation B Certified (e.g., guarantee of fair wages), and all focus on dignified treatment. Some also may focus on offsetting the environmental impact of our production. We hope you will find this list useful as you look to make choices that are more in line with your convictions about the importance of treating people of all kinds with dignity and respect.
Noonday Collection: Sells necklaces, bracelets, earrings, bags, and scarves, etc. Supports job opportunities, the empowerment of women, the livelihood of children, and values connections between producers and consumers.
Jennings and Allen: Sells: jewelry, soapstone carvings, scarves, hand-sewn purses, etc. Support many important causes including women empowerment and rebuilding communities that have fallen victim to famine, war, and other injustices.
Fair Trade Styles from Mainstream Companies: Offers information on many companies that support ethical consumerism
Redemption Market: Provides a list of fair trade businesses; online purchase available.
Jesus’ Economy: Sells holiday items, jewelry, accessories, bags, wallets, purses, dining, clothing, kids & baby items, journals, etc. Fair trade goods in order to reduce poverty around the world; has a vision to help reduce poverty by helping the poor to build business.
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I have started an instagram account with the sole purpose of learning about and following brands with fair practices. (I recommend this as a strategy; oftentimes you’ll link to one that will teach you about another, then another, etc.) Here are some that I have found and enjoy quite a lot! Really, if you want to buy fair (with justice in mind for the people and the world we were tasked to care for), a little bit of research will get you lots of options. Here are just a FEW of the ones I’ve learned about recently.
https://abebacollection.com/ Bags, jewelry, blankets; excellent quality, Ethopian made.
https://www.acaciacreations.com/ Home decor (kitchen, dining, bed, bath) and jewelry
https://www.fairtradewinds.net/ Jewelry, scarves, journals
https://www.worldchangerco.com/ A comprehensive list of sustainable brands (in terms of fair trade practices and environmentally sustainable) in all sorts of categories (shoes, fashion, coffee, skin care, swimsuits, cosmetics, activewear…)
https://crownedfree.com/ Jewelry and clothing (womens)
https://boughtbeautifully.org/ Home decor, jewelry, bags
https://www.kiva.org/ Although primarily a microloan organization, you can purchase some artisan wares through the site (e.g., blankets, home decor)
https://www.livefashionable.com/ All kinds of fashion; known for the “publish lowest wage in manufacturing chain”.
https://www.madewell.com/ Known for their clean (e.g., fair factory practices and environmentally friendly) denim, madewell makes all kinds of men’s and women’s fashion.
https://www.tenthousandvillages.com/ Fair trade, international purchases of all kinds