“This is the kind of fast day I’m after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts.
What I’m interested in seeing you do is:
sharing your food with the hungry,
inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’

(Isaiah 58:6-9, The Message)

Additional Readings

From Simply in Season : “Justice, Java, and Hurricane Mitch” (2005 p. 270 / 2009 p. 284); “Spending the extra dime” (2005 p. 239 / 2009 p. 285).

Guest Post

This week’s guest post is by Donielle, who blogs at Naturally Knocked Up

In the most basic sense, Fair Trade is an organized social movement that helps growers and farmers, in developing countries, obtain fair wages. (To find out exactly how the monies for regularly traded coffee beans is distributed, go check out this interactive tool and try and figure out where the money goes! I’m pretty sure you’ll be as surprised as I was!)

And yet it is much more than just a fair price! Farmers who become part of the Fair Trade certification enjoy the freedom of association, safe working conditions, and forced child labor is prohibited (many of the growers are families and children have been known to work on the family farm – just like here in the U.S.). They are also able to trade directly with importers which eliminates unnecessary middlemen and helps the growers establish great business skills. And beyond the farmers direct benefits, both Genetically Modified Crops (GMOs) and harmful agrochemicals are strictly prohibited which promotes environmental sustainability and protects the farmers health for years to come.

In addition, farmers must also invest some of the money they earn in community projects within their own neighborhood. So the farmer wins and the community they are a part of win as well.

Where can you find Fair Trade items locally?

Fair Trade covers a wide range of goods, from foods like coffee, tea, chocolate and bananas, to handcrafts like clothing, households, and decorative arts. You can find certified Fair Trade items within many stores now a days and while local health food stores seem to carry to most variety and quantity, even supermarket chains have begun to sell at least fair trade coffees and chocolate. While this list contains national store chains, it will give you an idea of what to ask for/look for in your own town.

But is this what we are limited to? What about products that don’t have to be imported?

Beyond the logos and symbols of Fair Trade certification are the artisans and farmers within our local communities. In today’s world economy, where profits rule, small growers and crafters are left in the dust while large corporations take over. Many have found it impossible to start their small business or they have to soon shut down for lack of profit and the resources available to large companies are not available for them. It’s important to buy certified Fair Trade imported items, but just as important to buy “Fair Trade” when shopping locally! The money you use to purchase local goods, goes directly to the producer. No middle man is involved to take their share.

1. LocalHarvest. Search for local farmers markets to keep the money within your community! Here in Grand Rapids, MI we have over 30 farmers markets within the city and it’s outlying areas. Many of these markets offer everything from hand made goods like jewelry, clothing, and beauty products, to fresh vegetables, meats, cheeses, and baked goods.
2. Etsy! A great way to find crafters and you can select a city in which you want to search for goods.
3. Local craft sales. Everyone has seen ads and posterboard stapled to telephone poles advertising craft sales! These sales are a great way to get out and spend money locally and support the crater directly!
4. Locally owned stores and boutiques are great sources of different local products. Here in GR, we have a few shops that specialize in locally made goods – one of them being Hopscotch childrens store.
5. Food Co-ops are also good resources for Fair Trade items.
6. The Ten Thousand Villages Site includes different locations for finding fair trade items.

Ethics

So we’ve talked a bit about what Fair Trade means and where you might be able to find it, what is the true reason we might want to take the time, and sometimes spend a bit more money, to find and buy fair trade products?

We are called to action.

Proverbs 31:8-9 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

James 2:17 - In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

We are called to give.

Deuteronomy 15:7-11 You should be happy to give the poor what they need.

We are also called to love.

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

God is the God of the poor, just as He is God of the rich. He cares about the growers and artisans working for a pittance of pay while the companies at the top of the chain become wealthier. We are to take care of the poor both locally and globally.

This Week’s Challenge

Questions for Reflection (share your response below for any one of these for an entry in this week’s drawing) ?

• Share whether you currently buy fair trade items. Why or why not?
• How does fair trade fit into an overall ethic of basing one’s diet on local, seasonal food? Does the fair trade label automatically make something a wise choice?

Challenge to Action (post on your blog and add a link below to the specific post about this challenge or post about it in a second comment below before Friday for an additional entry into this week’s drawing).

• Try one new fair trade product and share your experience – how did you find it, why did you choose it, and did you like it?
• Find a fair trade store in your community. Visit it, and share your impressions.

The prize: This week I’m giving away a set of three small wooden bowls that I bought in Uganda from a women’s artisan co-op. Aren’t they cute?

The winner this week was Jen who blogs at The Big Binder.

You may also like:

1. October is fair trade month!
2. Food & Faith Challenge: Globalization
3. Palm Sunday, and a Food & Faith Challenge Reminder
4. Food & Faith Challenge: Money
5. Food & Faith Challenge: Local Farms