For anyone that is aware of working conditions in developing countries Kirabo is a relief. All of the items are Fair Trade certified, meaning that the farmers and artisans are paid fair prices for their work.
If you still aren't sure what fair trade is check out this Website, www.fairtradefederation.com . The Fair Trade Organization is only one group of businesses and non-profits that are committed to raising awareness and the sales of fair trade products.
Michigan State University Sociology Professor Daniel Jaffe recently studied two neighboring farmers in Oaxaca, Mexico. One sold to a free trade vendor and the other sold to a fair trade.
He found that the farmer that sold to a fair trade vendor was less likely to be indebt, had a high income , more food security and their coffee was certified organic.
Jaffee published his findings in, "Brewing Justice: Fair Trade Coffee, Sustainability, and Survival."
It was hard for me to find any substantial argument against Fair Trade, but if you enjoy playing the devils advocate check out this policy statement by CATO Institute,www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-164.html.
Although fair trade is a global issue, East Lansing is a hot bed for advocacy. The owner of Kirabo, Gail Catron, discovered fair trade through Esperanza en Accion (meaning "hope through action") an all-volunteer group based in Okemos, Mich.
The group works closely with an artisans group in Nicaragua. Volunteers travel around to mobile markets in the Lansing area to sell the products.
I've bought coffee from them at Wells Hall.
Another person inspired by the work of Esperanza en Accion is Christine Vaslienko, the president of MSU's Students for Fair Trade.
Students for Fair Trade played a larger role in getting Sparty's Coffeehouses to sell Fair Trade Coffee.
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