January 27, 2013
Weird Question Weekly
So, last week we were so excited about the re-launch of Not in Harry’s Name that we completely forgot to post this blog. Having recovered some of our composure, however, we are returning now with our weekly weird question for the bloggers. we’d love you answer your weird question, so please leave us one in the comments below!
This week’s question: What is your favorite Fair Trade product?
Anna: Unfortunately, due to my hazelnut allergy, the majority of fair trade chocolate is a death trap for me. Even if they don’t say they contain traces of hazelnuts, there’s a 90% chance they will. I really love fair trade soaps and teas, though! 10,000 Villages comes to my college once a semester and sets up a booth for 2 weeks, and I always get a different kind of soap to try out. My favorite is the lavender one.
Photo courtesy of Fair Trade International
Kara: Honestly, I love anything that is Fair Trade. My favorite way to buy Fair Trade is to buy local. Even though they aren’t certified “fair trade,” you can bet that your local family farm is run ethically and with love (especially if you know all the farmers!). I love this because it not only means that I KNOW how my products are being created, it also helps the environment by cutting down on fossil fuels used for transportation, and helps to keep local economies alive. I love win-win situations.
Erin: I can always find fair trade chocolate at Whole Foods Market. They have a whole bunch of them in the candy aisle, several different brands, and all are pretty interesting flavors. Since I need to go to Whole Foods anyway to get some other things I like, whenever I’m over in that direction, if I have a chocolate craving (and sometimes when I don’t), I go to the candy aisle and buy a couple of bars of fair trade chocolate. I have yet to find any that I dislike!
Elizabeth: I’ll admit that I didn’t know much about fair trade products before joining the HPA, but I’ve thought about it a lot in the past year or so. Now when I want chocolate I always try to go to the People’s Pharmacy or another local, organic, fair trade shop to buy it. The hardest part, however, is clothes- there’s pretty much NEVER a store that sells fair trade clothes in the area, and that’s really scary and difficult for me, because I want to be ethical, but I definitely can’t go without clothes, you know? That’s why I love companies like People Tree- they sell clothes that I like, and most importantly, that are ethical, at prices that aren’t crazy expensive. I first heard about it when Emma Watson partnered with them for a collection in 2009, so I guess I have Harry Potter to thank- once again- for introducing me to the issues surrounding products that are not fair trade.
Joana: I adore chocolate as much as humanly possible, but as it turns out, there is no better chocolate than fairtrade vegan chocolate. I have been trying to live a healthier lifestyle for a while now and nothing sabotages a good diet like chocolate. For a couple of years now I have been addicted to any such products that Plamil Foods can offer and not to advertise them or anything, but they’re the best. The greatest part: it’s healthy! No matter what your health and nutrition needs are, you can find yourself a chocolate bar. And haven’t I found plenty…There’s just something about their dark chocolate that is quite special: the actual taste of cacao! If that’s too bitter for you, try the mint chocolate alternative with xylitol; it’s divine. Man, oh man, am I craving chocolate now!
So, what’s your favorite Fair Trade product? Leave your answer, and your questions for the blog team in the comments below!
Mary
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I go to college in a pretty small town so almost all of my shopping is done at Walmart because there’s not really other choices so my fair trade options are very limited. I’m trying!
Kara O'Brien
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Way to go, Mary! Limited choices are always a problem, but the more people purchase Fair Trade and request it from local shops, the more shops will offer them!