Since the local fair trade festival is scheduled for this weekend, it seems like a good time to start pulling together a list of progressive-friendly places to shop for holiday gifts. I intend to try my hardest to avoid buying all my gifts at big box stores this year. Just the same, I'm not sure my father has a lot of use for a rain stick so I'm trying to think outside the box. Here's what I've come up with thus far:
Nov 19 & 20 Fri/Sat 10-6
AUSTIN FAIR TRADE FESTIVAL: "WOMEN AND FAIR TRADE"
Location: La Pena Gallery (Congress and 3rd)
Sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee
Representatives from many international artisan cooperatives
will be there, including:
* Colores del Pueblo Colores del pueblo
* Hebron Embroidery Project
* Fuerza Unida
* Dignidad y Justicia Maquiladora: Does not have a website. This is a maquiladora in Piedras Negras, Mexico creating a model of business development that offers economical clothing to the community while working towards the goals of "justice, liberty and autonomy" for the sake of the members/owners of the business and the greater community.
These groups are founded by women who have been affected by globalization processes undermining their economies. The proceeds from their work begin to replace the income lost through unfair trade practices and unemployment in their countries, so developing an economic bridge between consumers with conscious and their efforts is essential to their success. This Fair Trade Festival is also an opportunity to deepen public understanding of the global economy, fair trade and other just alternatives to economic and trade policies that widen the gap between the rich and the poor.
Ten Thousand Villages - retail store at 1317 S. Congress
Future Soundtrack for America - $12. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the book and CD projects will go to non-profit progressive organizations, including Music For America, Common Assets, The Sierra Club, and others. Artists include Death Cab for Cutie, Sleater-Kinney, They Might Be Giants, Elliot Smith, etc.
Human Rights Campaign Love Rocks CD - $19.95
Working Asset's Working for Change store: "Easy Shopping. And an EASY way to make a donation. Because anytime you buy merchandise from one of the popular retailers accessible through our site, we'll donate up to 5%* of each purchase to progressive causes." Includes Barnes & Noble, Lands' End, Patagonia, Powell's Books, and more.
Fair Trade Federation's list of online fair trade catalogues
National Organization of Women's NOW Store
Ebay Giving Works (online auctions benefitting nonprofits)
Other suggestions?
Posted by sarah at November 16, 2004 1:16 PM | TrackBack