What is Fair Trade?

Fair trade, in essence, has come to mean a commitment to fair business practices so that workers are paid a living wage, are never exploited, and are ensured safe working conditions.

It's a movement that began as early as the 1940's and primarily impacts commodities and handicrafts. It demands higher standards for people and the environment, and it's a movement that we at Dogwood Box believe in.

For us, buying fairly traded handcrafted boxes from artisans means we are helping those artisans to continue their handcrafting traditions.  Living wages mean they are able to build sustainable businesses around their craft, and build community around those businesses.  Stability and dependable income help families to thrive.

This is why we don't include machine made, mass-produced boxes in our collection.  We are not interested in selling cheap goods at the expense of people and the environment. We're interested in helping people gain access to unique, handcrafted items they can feel good about purchasing.  We believe we need more handcrafted things in our lives, not fewer.

So does fair trade matter?  Besides keeping children from forced labor, workers from exploitation and dangerous conditions, and minimizing environmental damage, fair trade promotes transparency and long-term relationships between business partners.  Again, supporting community strength and stability.  It may cost more, it may take longer, but it's founded on respect and not greed.  That matters to us.