Can you believe October is almost over? Next thing you know, it’ll be 2014! But in the meantime, join Trade As One and I as we share the fair trade love! This subscription service, focused on fair trade products, is a great gift idea! Scroll all the way to the end for a giveaway!
Did you know October is considered fair trade month? A month when we celebrate small farmers that are fair trade certified, a month when we try to share as much information as possible on why it’s important to buy fair trade products, and a month to altogether just share the fair trade love. To end the month with a bang, Trade as One sent me one of their Gift of Good boxes to review (and we’re giving one away as well!)
What’s Trade as One? Here’s a great video that perfectly showcases what they do, but basically and awesomely, “The products included in the box give dignified jobs to some of the most marginalized and poor people in the world. In return, those jobs bring them a living wage, so they can do all the things that we would expect to do with our wages, like feed their family, educate their kids, and provide health care.” Who doesn’t want to support something as amazing as fair trade?!
Alter Eco Ruby Red Rice: A nutty and full-flavored rice, this variety lends itself well to be used in salads and as stuffing. We love how connected to rice farmers Alter Eco is, providing fair trade prices to these farmers let them proudly own their land, commit to better farming methods such as organic farming, and be self-reliant.
Organic Sun-Dried Maftoul Palestinian Couscous: We loved the way this was described online, “…made from organic wheat which is boiled, sun-dried and cracked, hand-rolled in freshly ground whole wheat flour, then steamed and sun-dried by women-owned cooperatives.” So much work goes into each little bead!
Geo Bars: Made by one of my favorite fair trade companies, Equal Exchange, these bars are a delightful afternoon snack and they are the FIRST fair trade cereal bar! A blend of wild apricots, raisins, and honey mixed with toasted wheat flakes, oats and crisped rice.
Le Pain des Fleurs: these are ever so light, so delicate, that one bite and they melt on your tongue. Perfect vessel for a cheese board, although delicate will stand up to holding a slice of cheese, a bit of fruit, a spread of jam.
Featured Producer: Women’s Bean Project
“Based in Denver, Colorado hires chronically impoverished and unemployed women, many with pasts of drug addiction and felonies. Through Women’s Bean Project, the women earn job readiness, interpersonal and life skills needed to overcome barriers to unemployment. Most women that the Women’s Bean Project employs have histories of addiction and incarceration. The combined cost of a criminal conviction and one year of incarceration can exceed $17,000. The Women’s Bean Project’s program, by comparison, cost’s just $15,000, including wages. Employment is the key to decreasing returns to prison, and the number one indicator of re-arrest is being unemployed in the year prior to arrest. Trade as One has partnered with Women’s Bean Project for the past five years; we continue to love and appreciate the gourmet food and lives that are being changed through this program!” – Trade as One
Palestinian Fair Trade: The Palestine Fair Trade Association (PFTA) is the largest fair trade producers’ union in Palestine, with over 1700 small Palestinian farmers joined in fair trade collectives and cooperatives across the country. And this Organic Nabali Olive Tapenade sounds amazing! I have yet to try it, but look forward to showcasing it in holiday parties this season.
Divine Chocolate: By far, some of the richest and most flavorful cocoa powder I’e ever used in my baking! Pure fair trade cocoa make up this product and believe me when I tell you that it will make the best brownies you’ve ever tasted!
Frustrated Farmgirl: If you have three minutes, head on over to the Frustrated Farmgirl website and watch her video. It seriously will change the way you really see fair trade and will make you admire what these producers are really doing. Oh and her soap is pretty amazing, perfect for dry skin during the winter season!
Alaffia Lip Balm: This balm had an ingredient called baobab oil in it and I decided to read up on it. It’s supposed to protect African women from the harsh desert sun and winds, plus it improves elasticity of the skin and encourages regeneration of cells. Count me in!
The Republic of Tea: And now, some tea to end with. Although not all Republic of Tea teas are fair trade, they’ve got a great selection of one that are and these are just a few. Lately I’ve been enjoying the Decaf Apricot after lunch and it really is delicious!
Enter to win a Gift of Good box from Trade as One!
Disclaimer: I received a box from Trade as One to review and they are graciously giving one away to a Cooking with Books reader. I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are 100% my own, as always.
I’m loving your website!