Manchester United Methodist Church Educates on Fair Trade and Advocates for Living Wages
On Saturday, Nov. 23, and Sunday, Nov. 24 and Friday Nov. 29 thru Sunday, Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., more than 2,500 sq. ft. of space will be filled with fair trade items from all over the world at Manchester United Methodist Church (129 Woods Mill Road, Manchester, MO 63011). Since 2003, the Fair Trade Market has generated nearly 820,000 dollars supporting artisans in developing countries, and promoting Fair Trade.
Fair Trade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development creating opportunities for producers who have been economically disadvantaged by the conventional trading system. Fair Trade is a social justice movement, an alternative business model, a system of global commerce, a tool for international development. Buying fair trade products provides artisans, farmers, and producers a living wage for their work. It also supports care for the environment, gender equality, child labor prohibition, safe working conditions and more.
Approximately $4,000 of fair trade retail dollars provides one artisan or farmer’s family a living wage for a year, through work, not charity.
Market attendees enjoy shopping, entertainment, special giveaways, scarf tying demonstrations, movie showings, food and more. Certified fair trade items from Plowsharing Crafts, Partners for Just Trade, Roots-n-Streams, So Luna, Rosemary Grove, Stringbean Coffee Co.and Tree of Life Imports will be available. Dedicated volunteers with a passion for social justice spend hundreds of hours throughout the year to make sure the market is successful.
The Fair Trade Market’s huge selection of products include: chocolate, coffee, tea, clothing & accessories, home decor, toys, food, musical instruments, stationary, holiday decorations, soaps, and more. Attendees can find all of their holiday gifts, including something for themselves, at the 11th Annual Fair Trade Market located at Manchester United Methodist Church.
In addition to the Fair Trade Market, Manchester UMC will host “What is Fair Trade?” discussions November 3, 10 & 17 at 9:30 a.m., to educate attendees on the importance of Fair Trade, it’s Biblical connections, and how to buy Fair Trade products.
For more information please visit online at www.manchesterumc.org/ftm.