Student group raises awareness of fair trade

Most students probably didn’t know it, but October was Fair Trade Month.\nIU’s Students In Free Enterprise did, however. This group’s goal is to increase global awareness of fair trade and what it means among students and Bloomington residents, in part through its Fair Trade Bloomington project.\nThe Fair Trade Bloomington project, in its third year of existence, is an ongoing, community-based non-profit organization that encourages global economic development and poverty relief by selling fair trade goods. \n“Fair trade is a way of doing business in countries seeking poverty relief by setting up principles for fair negotiations,” said Mary Embry, a lecturer and one of the faculty directors of Fair Trade Bloomington. \nThe group’s main goal is to increase awareness among the Bloomington community of ways in which residents can affect the economy in a positive way. \n“It’s amazing how many people don’t know what fair trade is,” Embry said. \nFair Trade Bloomington sells hand-made goods and artisan crafts produced in impoverished nations such as Haiti, Kenya and Bangladesh. The point is to ensure that the makers receive fair wages that allow them to support themselves and their families. Upon selling the products, Fair Trade Bloomington gives a part of the profits back to the producers, and uses the rest to provide production materials and resources to areas that lack the means to obtain them. \nThe goal is to progressively build and strengthen weak economies worldwide. \nJeffrey Hart, an international political economy professor, sees such efforts as a positive chance to make a conscious decision about buying habits. \n“Fair trade certifies employers overseas who agree to avoid child labor and other abusive labor practices,” Hart said. “The product is then labeled as a ‘fair trade’ product. The consumer has a choice. He or she can choose to avoid products that are not fair trade products.” \nEmbry echoed that sentiment, saying fair trade products give consumers a sense of control and power over how they affect the global market. She’s optimistic that local consumers will continue to become more aware of the use of fair trade as a means to fight poverty, discourage child labor and promote ethical treatment of workers in foreign countries. \nAn increasing number of local businesses are beginning to support the cause. The Mathers Museum and Bloomingfoods sell fair trade food products. Natural Elements sells handmade fair trade clothing. Also, many local coffee shops and cafes sell fair trade coffee. \n“We’re really happy with how awareness increases every year,” Embry said. “For the first time, we have people coming to us, asking to get involved.”\nFair Trade Bloomington has its sights set high. It hopes to open a store in the future. For now, it sells products through local events, such as its upcoming Nov. 29 sale in the Indiana Memorial Union. \nLeela Summers, a senior and the student project leader for Fair Trade Bloomington, commented on the organization’s future. \n“Fair Trade Bloomington is an organic fit with the community,” she said. “There’s a lot of support for the future of fair trade here. We hope to open a store on the square in the fall of 2008.”\nEmbry urges people to play a part in bettering their economy. \n“This is a way to shop and not be part of what is becoming more and more of a consumerist culture,” she said. “You’re contributing to making the world a better place, and if that matches your values, then come see the products.”