Fair trade market features variety
While shoppers across town were taking advantage of Black Friday prices at big retailers, the annual Fair Trade Holiday Market was offering some great deals itself.
For about the same prices as they could expect to pay in a department store, shoppers could buy unique handmade gifts that support a number of causes.
Plus, there was just as much variety to choose from upstairs at the Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave., as at a lot of mainstream stores.
“It’s the biggest it’s ever been,” said Jennifer Kongs, a Kansas University student who is this year’s market coordinator.
Merchandise included jewelry, bags, cards, ornaments and baked goods.
“Fair trade is not just coffee, tea, bananas and other mish-mash goods,” Kongs said.
But that doesn’t mean coffee and tea weren’t available at the market. Several varieties were for sale.
Erin Munz and Nick Kessler of Lawrence happened upon the sale as they were walking by. They were curious what was available and checked out some of the merchandise, including the bags and jewelry.
“There’s some pretty neat stuff,” Kessler said.
The merchandise came from near and far.
Lawrence-based V is for Vegan, operated by Danielle Loftus and Dave Miller, was selling vegan baked goods, including cookies and pies. They were sharing a table with Kansas Mutual Aid, a social justice organization, which is selling Zapatista-made goods, such as honey, and Slingshot organizers. Proceeds from sales go back to Kansas Mutual Aid, which works on issues from poverty to education, said a member of the organization, Jordan Ferrand-Sapsis.
The items that came from around the world represented 35 countries, including jewelry from India, retablos from Peru and ceramics from Vietnam.
A few of the bracelets, necklaces and earrings for sale were made in El Papaturro, El Salvador. The proceeds from those items help pay for the cost of students traveling there to serve as volunteers during alternative spring break, Kongs said.
Purchases at the market do more than support artisans who are ensured a fair wage and healthy working conditions through the fair trade process. The proceeds also help support awareness and outreach.
“The whole purpose of (fair trade) is to ensure that people and communities are not being overrun by multinational corporations,” Kongs said. “It’s an alternative take on globalization.”