What is Fair Trade?

The forces of neoliberal globalization (the dominant economic model of our time) have put cheaper coffee in your cup, cheaper bananas in your smoothie, cheaper clothes on your back and shoes on your feet, more -- and more diverse -- groceries on the shelves, and in effect more money in your -- the consumer's -- pocket.

But at what cost?

Corporations can only make a profit off of the unbelievably cheap products we've been consuming if they take advantage of the source of the products -- the producer. In essence, they rob the producer of her labor, paying her mere pennies to make our toys and gadgets so that they (the corporations) can make more of a profit... and so that we here on the other side of the world can save money, live better. (But do we really live better?)

This fragmented point of view -- that is, the point of view that tricks us into believing that their bane is our reward -- neglects the fact that the world is a vastly interconnected place. Any suffering is human suffering. And if we contribute to it now by irresponsibly sending our dollars to the wrong places, then who's to say that it won't come back around to us later? (Or right now, for that matter.)

Fair trade is a global movement that has been making an effort to construct something completely different within the paradigm of globalization. Companies who promote fair trade realize that the product is nothing without the producer, that the producer gives the product a life, a story. So, these companies make the point to pay the producer fairly. Sure, they don't receive as much of a profit, and the consumer doesn't "save" as much money. But, in the end, there are some things in life that are far more valuable than an extra buck.

At Green Mother Goods, we carry fair trade products from all over the world, from baby needs and wants, to clothes, to gift items, and so much more. Come look around. We're right on the corner of highways 421 and 321, near Earth Fare and the Daniel Boone Inn. If you end up buying something between now and a week from now, give the code word "globalization" to the cashier and get 10% off of one of the items in your purchase.

Remember: Whenever you buy something, you're voting with your dollars. Make the right choice.