Sarah Stern
Fair Trade Publicity Team
785-760-0237
sarah.stern@yahoo.com

Lawrence Fair Trade Holiday Market celebrates 21 years
LAWRENCE, Kan.—This year, Lawrence Fair Trade will observe its twentieth first year of high quality, handmade holiday gifts from 35 countries around the world to the Lawrence community. The two-week sale, which promotes the purchase of fair trade products that support disadvantaged artisans and peoples here and internationally, will kick off on black Friday, November 23 at 8 a.m. at the Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave, Lawrence, KS 66045, and last until Saturday, December 1 at 5 p.m.
While other small sales and shops may have struggled in light of the recent economic downturn, the Holiday Market has continued to grow since its small beginnings in 1991. Just last year the sale brought in more than $20,000 in revenue and boasted vendors from all around the country as well as many local vendors. The continued growth and success of the sale is a testament to the increasing demand for the positive practice. It is an alternative to conventional trade that takes measures to ensure products are produced in safe and healthy working conditions and those artisans maintain control of their businesses through cooperatives. This innovative triple bottom line approach respects People, Planet and Profit as opposed to conventional trade where profit alone rules but often fails to provide incentive to respect the people producing goods and the planet providing the resources.
Meredith Walfren, Lawrence Fair Trade long-time member says, “When you buy at the Holiday Market, you are giving a gift that gives back. You are voting with your dollar and support of the artists to encourage a better way of trading.”
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About Lawrence Fair Trade

Lawrence Fair Trade, a community group dedicated to raising awareness of global economic injustice and working to establish sustainable solutions. For more information about the group or Fair Trade in general, call Alicia Erickson, alicia@twohandsworldshop.com, 785-969-3482. A video about our group can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asCcAZGQzAQ&feature=youtu.be.The full dates and times for the sale are:

Friday, November 23th through Saturday, December 1st
11/23 – 11/25 from 8am – 6pm
11/26 – 11/29 from 11am – 6pm
11/30-12/1 8 am - 6:00 pm

Event details:

• Ongoing until Saturday, December 1, 2012
• Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Mondays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Ecumenical Campus Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave., Lawrence