This article was published in the April/May 2006 Wedge newsletter. The following information may be outdated.

Check out the new Fair Trade Jewelry

We have recently brought in some gorgeous, fun new items at the Wedge. Fair trade jewelry has arrived! Swing by aisle six in the Health and Body Care Department to see our changing selection of earrings, rings, necklaces, pins and other adornment goods. These new products have been very popular with customers so far!

At this point we are purchasing from three different vendors who are all members of the Fair Trade Federation. The first company is Tibet Collection and they feature beautiful hand-made jewelry produced by skilled Himalayan artisans. Their company was founded in order to provide Tibetan refugee artists with new markets for their works. A portion of each purchase goes to training programs and a range of humanitarian programs managed by the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.

Our next supplier, Ten Thousand Villages, is actually one of the founding members of the Fair Trade Federation. Since 1946 they have supported the work of tens of thousands of artists in over 30 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Ten Thousand Villages strives to operate as a business with a compassionate mission so that they can provide vital, fair income to artisans. Their dream is to one day see that all artisans in developing countries will earn a fair wage, be treated with dignity and respect and be able to live a life of quality.

We have also begun working with a local Minnesota importing company called Alsadu. The products that they carry come from low-income, small-scale producers in the Third World who are paid fair prices for their goods and work in safe and healthy conditions. Some of the countries that they work with include Afghanistan, Morocco, Tibet and Africa. Many of the projects that Alsadu works with also promote sustainable community development. In addition, this company works to educate consumers about the importance and benefits of fair trade.

You can also view a sample of some of our jewelry offerings on display through our website at www.wedge.coop. Enjoy!