One advantage of internet shopping is the ease with which a person can shop for specialty items. For example, if it is important to you (and I hope that it is) that farmers, workers and artisans around the world be paid fair and sustainable wages, there are multiple websites that will assist you in supporting Fair Trade practices while shopping. If you are not familiar with the term Fair Trade, the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), the Fairtrade Labelling Organization (FLO) and TransFair USA (a member of FLO) all provide overviews of Fair Trade on their websites.

There are multiple websites that offer Fair Trade products for sale. Additionally, some of the sites allow you to search for stores in your area that carry Fair Trade products, so that you can also support local businesses. Here are four Fair Trade shopping websites to get you started:

• Ten Thousand Villages® – You can shop for a variety of products on this non-profit organization’s website. Additionally, you can search for businesses in your area that carry Ten Thousand Villages® products.
• Unity Fair Trade Marketplace – Bookmarks, pottery, clothing, coffee and musical instruments are a few of the many products you will find for sale on this website which is maintained by a couple in Michigan.
• Fair Indigo – You’ll find a large variety of clothing and gifts available in a wide range of prices on this website. An added bonus is a $5 flat-rate shipping fee for any size order.
• Trade as One – In addition to offering a variety of items for sale (seasonal items, household items, clothing, chocolate, etc.), this site offers news and updates about Fair Trade happenings.

Happy “support the global community while avoiding the mall” shopping!

~Sally Hoelscher