While millions of consumers head out to commercial outlets for their holiday shopping needs, others consider alternative shopping purchases, such as fair trade items.

Fair trade is a system of exchange that aims to create greater equality and partnership in the international trading system. Distributors procure items from their producers, who are usually foreign, and eliminate the middleman.

According to the Fair Trade Federation, fair trade advocates aim to provide fair wages in a local situation, though not equal to those paid in the United States.

They support secure, healthy and participatory workplaces by supplying financial and technical support to build competency, helping to ensure the business is successful. In non-fair trade circumstances, child labor and human trafficking are common occurrences.

Fair trade partnerships aim to ensure environmental sustainability, and respect the cultural identities and practices of the suppliers. They aim to build direct and long-term relationships and have a continuing goal of educating consumers about the benefits of fair trade, offering public accountability, making all practices visible, to deal fairly and respectfully with trading partners.

Fair trade products were available in the Union on Dec. 7, offered by the owners of Sweeney Todd Salon and Fair Trade Bazaar. Annie Schroeder, co-owner of the salon and shop, said she is confident that fair trade shopping will become increasingly popular in the United States.

Schroeder’s passion is to help talented and economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide. Specifically, they link low-income producers with consumer markets. This method supports living wages and safe working conditions for workers in the developing world.

“I can go on and on about how beautiful fair trade is and how good it makes me feel. I appreciate that I can account for my purchases along the way. I think if people knew they had choices, fair trade could be huge,” said Schroeder.

Even a small increase in fair trade can potentially make major differences in developing areas of the world.

According to Oxfam International's “Make Trade Fair” report, African countries could generate $70 billion if their share of world exports increased by 1 percent. At the same time, the total amount required to provide basic education and nutrition in all developing countries is $13 billion, according to the 2005 UNICEF State of the World's Children Report.

“There is an alternative way of understanding where your purchases come from. Everyone along the way wins,” said Schroeder. “There’s always a choice other than the big corporations. People can plug into the fair trade process where they feel comfortable, because these types of purchases really do make people feel good.”

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