Charleston Fair Trade

Although many more individuals that I meet have now heard of Fair Trade and at least seem to get a basic grasp of the guiding principles, many more still ask me how do i know that the producers and farmers are paid fairly? I want to bring to light fairly accurate information about Fair Trade Standards and Pricing that i found on line with Wikipedia. It seems to have a fairly rounded range of information on Fair Trade. There is also access to some Fair Trade Impact Studies for those who want to delve deeper.

A simple thing like buying a product has consequences far beyond feeding your family, making you feel good or giving you something new to talk about. Buying a product, whether it's the fruit of one person's labor or the result of super-efficient mechanization is a vote for the organization that provided you with the product.

I do enjoy browsing the Independent and the Guardian newspapers for articles of interest (being a Brit myself). It takes me back to my university days of putting off writing an essay by reading the paper! It would take a whole day to read the Sunday Guardian!!
Anyway, this article is taken from the Independent on the 1st August written by Johann Hari highlighting that the debate surrounding free vs. fair trade is as interesting and relevant as always:...

The primary objective of the Charleston Green Fair is to raise awareness of the sustainable choices available in South Carolina and demonstrate a waste free, environmentally responsible large event. The Charleston Green Fair is a truly sustainable and zero impact event. To make this happen local Charleston organizers engaged Seven Star to plan the event. Seven Star has helped organize very successful green festivals throughout the country.

Vince Graham is Founder and President of the I'On Group [1] based in Charleston, South Carolina. The purpose of the I'On Group is to make the world a more beautiful place through the creation of enduring aesthetic, economic, and social value. It strives to accomplish this by building new neighborhoods and redeveloping existing urban fabric.

On September 25th, starting at 6pm, Charleston Green Fair will be showing a different side of green at a "green" tie optional cocktail party at the South Carolina Aquarium. Local fine dining restaurants such as Hanks Seafood, all who are using sustainable food practices in their menus and are a Sustainable Seafood Partner. Beer, wine and cocktails will also be included.

I found this article online with the local Charleston City Paper about a month ago. Although i did respond to the article on their website I figures it is also relevant to my blog so here it is!

'Food shopping has never been more political than it is now. Beyond the clutter of brands vying for consumers' attention in any grocery store aisle, deep social movements are at play, and marketers are keen to exploit their ideas to slap an additional 30 cents on a price tag.

I was interested to read the article in the Charleston City Paper
about maintaining a steady supply of materials with which to weave the
baskets here in and around Charleston. Many African baskets that i sell
are woven with a variety of different materials and that seems to be
the case here also.

Charleston is home to various museums and organizations that preserve African-American culture and put into context how America grew to what it is today. One of these organizations is the Gibbes Museumof Art that features both permanent and visiting exhibitions. I am very interested in one of the upcoming events 'GRASSROOTS the African Origins of American Art on August 29th - November 30th.

The Market Past and Present

Muenda is located within the Charleston Historic City Market in Charleston, SC. Local vendors have been trading in the market for nearly 300 years. Today the market is filled with nearly 200 vendors/cottage industries selling a variety of goods including handmade local arts and crafts, gullah gifts and food to african style baskets (internationally known 'sweetgrass baskets'), and also Charleston charms and souvenirs. Muenda can be found at the market most days either during the day or evenings.