Sugar House firm advocates fair trade

Fair trade: a business philosophy that focuses on providing "fair" prices and working conditions to artisans in the Third World.

Not many businesses operate under this concept. It's not profitable. Benchmarks for "fairness" are hard to set. Economists question if it's actually equitable.

While some businesses in Utah sell fair trade products, only one Utah business says its product is 99 percent fair trade. Its board and employees are vocal in support of the concept, refuting questions of credibility.

"I think it's growing with our knowledge of the world," said Denise Winslow, vice chairwoman of the Ten Thousand Villages Utah Board. "It's growing with the next generation; it's growing with people who have plenty and are ready to give back, not only to their communities but to a global world."

On Saturday, Ten Thousand Villages in Sugar House will host activities to celebrate World Fair Trade Day. The goal is to educate about fair trade and the opportunities it provides to Third World artisans, said Susan Dunlap, volunteer coordinator and part-time manager for Ten Thousand Villages in Sugar House.

Education is also part of the store's mission. Each time a customer comes into Ten Thousand Villages, a volunteer explains the philosophy of fair trade. Information about individual artisans is also available.

Here's a little of what they say: When a fair trade handicraft or food item sells, the money spent goes toward supporting a worker in a Third World country. If business is bad or the product won't sell, fair-trade organizations will encourage the worker to adapt his work.

With Ten Thousand Villages, artists receive 50 percent of their payment each time an order is placed. When the product is shipped, they are paid in full, said Dunlap.

Georgia Baddley, president of the Ten Thousand Villages Utah Board, says fair trade "makes a difference." She recently traveled to Central America to observe a group that contracts with Ten Thousand Villages.

"With the world situated the way it is today, the thing that's been a concern is how do I contribute, how do I do something where I feel this is a way to make a difference," said Baddley. "We've supported hundreds. We've provided a living."

Ten Thousand Villages in Sugar House has one full-time manager and two part-time managerstwo part-time. Volunteers staff the store.

For more information about Saturday's Fair Trade Day events, call: 485-8827. Information is also available at tenthousandvillages.com.

Ten Thousand Villages is located at 2186 Highland Drive in Sugar House. The store sells handicrafts made by artisans in 32 countries, ranging from beaded necklaces to pots and intricate carvings.

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