Do you love to shop?  Do you love to do good?  You can do both at Brecksville United Methodist Church’s Fair Trade Fair on Sunday, May 6! 

Come to the church’s Fellowship Hall between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm and treat yourself to a wonderful shopping experience – A Fair Trade Fair. 

What does “Fair Trade” mean?  Fair Trade goods come from farmers and artisans who are justly compensated for their work. With Fair Trade, the money you spend on day-to-day goods can improve an entire community’s day-to-day lives.

Whether you’re shopping at the Fair Trade Fair or at your local market, here are 5 Good Reasons to Buy Fair Trade.

1.  Fair Trade, Not Aid.  Fair trade is a way to help reduce poverty every time we shop.  It is practical action and towards building a better world. By trading with people in many of the poorest communities of the world, fair trade reduces reliance on charity and fosters long-term development and independence.

2. Fair Trade Means Quality.  All of the items at our fair are handcrafted.  The artisans who made them take great pride in their work, and their close attention to detail is obvious in the  higher-quality products they’ve produced.

3. Fair Trade is Better for the Environment. Fair Trade producers use a high proportion of recycled products and handmade processes.  Some examples of items you’ll find at the fair: purses made from pop tops, beautiful bracelets carved from found wood, and beads spun from recycled paper or made from their native seeds.  Fair trade farmers use sustainable practices, including fewer pesticides and agrochemicals.  Fair Trade is better for you!

4. Fair Trade Connects You with Other Cultures.  Fair Trade products reflect the people and cultures of the regions they’re from. At our Fair Trade Fair, you’ll find jewelry handcrafted in Uganda, purses created in Guatemala, and chocolates from South America.

5. Fair Trade means what you buy matters. By choosing Fair Trade products, you are not only accessing high quality products, you are making a difference in the lives of the people who grow the food you eat and the goods you use.

Change today – choose Fair Trade!