Fair Trade Holiday Gift Fair Held in Center City Philadelphia
By Hadas Kuznits
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Supporters of "fair trade" commerce held a gift fair today in center city Philadelphia, hoping to get holiday gifts with the ethical stamp of approval in the hands of as many givers as possible.
Today, at the Friends Center, at 15th and Cherry Streets, Fair Trade Philadelphia held its first-ever gift fair. The organization, which was formed this summer, now has about 15 participating members.
Among the items for sale today were jewlery, scarves, coffee, tea, chocolate, and toys.
Organizer Yoko Barnes (in photo) says fair trade means that works are paid a living wage and no child laborors are used:
"When Americans say, 'I got this and it was so cheap,' maybe we should ask ourselves, 'OK, why is it so cheap?' "
How do you know you are buying a fair trade item?
"There's a certified process and there are several symbols," Barnes tells KYW Newsradio.
She says you can find fair trade food items in some supermarkets if you look hard enough, "but our aim is for everyone in Philadelphia to be able to go to a store and find fair trade products easily."
She adds that everyone can make a difference by their purchase of fair trade goods.
For more information go to Facebook and search "Fair Trade PHL."
