March 7th, 2012

Fair Trade USA, a major third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the US, reported today that sales of Fair Trade certified goods grew by about 75 between the first and last quarters of 2011. Mainstream grocery, food and drug items grew even faster, recording a 95 percent increase in fair trade sales, a boom that was largely driven by the adoption of Fair Trade labels by major food brands like Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Honest Tea, which have increased their Fair Trade commitments.

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April 18th, 2011

There’s been a lot of talk about “shared sacrifice” as American lawmakers try to button down the spending that many blame for the nation’s problems.

Personally, I don’t understand why the discussion seems to be entirely about entitlement programs, with no talk about the defense spending. I am perpetually perplexed about our mission in Iraq and Afghanistan, which seems to be as much of a moving target as the terrorists we’re chasing, while the money flies out of the Treasury as if a giant vacuum were sucking off the conveyor belt (Want a visual? Check out CostofWar.com‘s ticker.)

I get it that many government programs could stand some tweaking and scrutinizing. But Congress seems to be taking a hedge clippers to the lawn ornamentation, while a tornado bears down on the horizon.

Why would we give the EPA’s budget a buzz cut while we stand on the brink of climate disaster?

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March 7th, 2011

A growing number of consumers are putting their food dollars into Fair Trade products that support an equitable wage for global producers.

Fair Trade USA, the leading certifier of Fair Trade products in the U.S., reports that sales increased 24 percent, rising to $170 million during 2010.

The increase was strong at the traditional natural grocers (a 16 percent year over year increase) and specialty stores (22 percent) where consumers have typically found Fair Trade products. But it was strongest at mainstream stores (26 percent), according to a survey by the SPINS consulting service on behalf of Fair Trade USA.

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December 14th, 2010

Go for eco-friendly and sustainable flowers, like this Poinsettia from Organic Bouquet.

Nothing warms a holiday table like a poinsettia bursting with color, or a bouquet of white and red roses.

This season, avoid flowers grown with chemicals in less than fair-wage conditions by seeking out certified Organic, Fair Trade and sustainably grown products for the celebratory arrays.

One source for seasonal, organically grown or eco-friendly flowers is Organic Bouquet online. This green florist sells bouquets that are USDA certified Organic. Many also bear the Fair Trade label, which assures they were produced by equitably treated workers, and the Rainforest Alliance certification, which verifies that the flowers were grown using ecologically sensitive methods.

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November 24th, 2010

This year, when it’s abundantly clear that we in the developed world need to consume responsibly, and there are more green gift options than ever — so many sustainable goods are hitting their stride — it makes sense to consider eco-friendly gifts, whenever and wherever possible.

Look for items that are made from renewable, recycled or reclaimed materials; for products that last and regenerate or even create their own energy (eco- can be eco-nomical); for things that sustain people in disadvantaged situations and for stuff that’s practical, even edible.

Your family may just discover that their eco-gifts are some of the most unique and wonderful surprises under the tree (or near the Menorah or whatever).

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May 27th, 2010

Colorful messenger bags and totes created from re-purposed construction netting, recycled rice bags and Cambodian silk. Screen-printed cotton outfits designed by the Chicago- and Cambodia-based Malia Designs. Divine chocolate made from cocoa beans sustainably grown in Ghana. These are just some of the finds at Greenheart Shop , a thriving Fair Trade business in Chicago’s trendy Wicker Park neighborhood. Shoppers recently were treated to a fashion show complete with runway models decked in green wear from head-to-toe.

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February 10th, 2010

By Shermakaye Bass
Green Right Now

Over the past year or so, there’s been a velvety, yummy buzz: Chocolate may just save the planet!

Divine Hearts are actually good for your heart

Actually, that’s a stretch. But in the months leading up to the Copenhagen climate talks last December, several chocolate-makers claimed they were venturing further into fair trade practices, including Nestle, Mars and Cadbury.

Add to that the promising method of “cabruca farming” in Brazil — a way of supplementing rainforests with valuable cacao plants to offset wholesale slash-and-burn techniques. Then multiply those happy developments by now-abundant data showing that chocolate — dark chocolates and bittersweets, specifically — are good for our health, and you’ve got a growing body of evidence that semi-sweet, Fair Trade chocolate is not only good for body, heart and soul; it could be good for the environment.

“Chocolate is considered to be a super food,” says Steven Flood, co-owner of Fat Turkey Chocolates, an organic chocolatier based in Austin, Texas. “You could actually live and sustain yourself on chocolate alone and get everything you need. And you wouldn’t get fat. Because there’s not a lot of fat in dark chocolate.”

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November 25th, 2009

I’d be a hypocrite if I advocated for Buy Nothing Day (this Friday in the US and Saturday internationally). For one, I just got done compiling and editing some green gift lists.

Granted, this consumer boycott being advocated by AdBusters has its appeal. It says no to what has become an embarassing grab-fest of shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

I like the concept of the boycott: Send a message to those corporations that want to hijack your wallet this holiday season. Refuse to shop. We really do need to cool it on the consumerism to help re-chill our warming planet. It’s painfully obvious now that our rabid consumption of limited natural resources coupled with our willingness to trash stuff is destroying our planet. Here in the U.S., we’ve got a TV or computer in every room in many households, and they’ll be in the landfill soon because tech wizards come up with the next gen of electronics about 28 minutes after we’ve purchased the very latest “thing”. We’ve got food, and clothing and large houses enough to sustain multiple families. And it’s not just us. Asia’s got a taste for luxury. Sharks are being killed for their fins. Really?

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September 28th, 2009

By Ashley Phillips
Green Right Now

This month, Starbucks locations in the United Kingdom and Ireland began serving “100% Starbucks Shared Planet and Fairtrade Certified Espresso” to the local clientele –an average of two million people per week. So figure that’s a lot of cappuccino contributing to better wages and working conditions for small-scale farmers.

Starbucks, already the largest producer of fair trade coffee in the world, is making an even bigger promise: In partnership with Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO), the company intends for every espresso-based drink to be Starbucks Fairtrade-certified within the next six month at all Starbucks locations in Europe.

Starbucks Fairtrade Certified Espresso is grown mostly in Latin America, specifically Guatemala, Costa Rica and Peru. Their farming communities will immediately benefit financially from the transition, according to Starbucks, which estimates the switch will contribute over $4 million annually to these smaller farmers.

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May 8th, 2009

Oak is such a trendy fashion Web site, just perusing their lineup of hip indie designers will elevate your cool factor substantially. Mixed in with all that fabulousness are three design lines that are exotically earth-friendly.

A Peace Treaty: This line was created by partners Farah Malik, a Muslim from Pakistan, and Dana Arbib, a Jew from Libya. Their scarves, stoles and bandanas are made by artisans working in war-torn parts of the world.

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April 29th, 2009

By Barbara Kessler
Green Right Now

From electronics powered by the sun to plates made from corn, towels woven from bamboo and suits spun from recycled plastic bottles, green products are crowding into stores. Never before has the green consumer enjoyed such a dazzling, dizzying…and completely confusing array of treats.

How does one choose? Should you get the locally grown zucchini or the organically farmed summer quash? The bamboo towel from Asia or the organic cotton bath sheet from Texas? Organic face cream or natural? Disposable or reusable? Plastic or stainless? Is it green, sustainable, FSC and Fair Trade?

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April 20th, 2009

Nora Edison and Chris Neumann, owners, Strongtree Organic Coffee, Hudson, New York

What I do:

We are the owners of an artisanal organic coffee roasting company.

How it helps:

We source 100% organic, ethically traded coffees from farmers who practice responsible land stewardship and fair trade. Shade grown organic coffee farming discourages rainforest destruction, protects the watershed and the eco system and the farmer. Shade Grown organic coffee tastes better and retains more of the healthful benefits of coffee.

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