New Guatemalan Artisan Partners

We are proud to announce FWM’s new partnership with several indigenous women’s cooperatives in Guatemala. Our goal is to help create new products, increase their market and help promote their self development within Guatemala.

In August, 2008, we established working relationships with Mayan women's cooperatives in the highlands.

On returning this last June, we discovered that the Chumanzana Group has become inspired with an entrepreneurial spirit in hopes of improving their lives. Because they now have a small outlet to the outside world for their weaving, they have begun to dream. Their dream is now to open a store in their village that sells thread to both their local community and those close by. Though all women are weavers, they must travel a long distance to find thread because their village is remotely located.

This summer we helped them begin to think through this process, to collect information they need and to connect them with a local NGO that is helping them with the legal aspects of their business. Our goal is now to help them apply for any grants we can find to help them purchase stock and display cabinets. If any of you know of grants we can assist them with, please let us know.

This is what Fair Trade can do: a little bit of hope can spark dreams of change.

Guatemala expedition

I am back in Guatemala visiting the women of Chumanzana and catching up on their lives. This group are back-strap weavers and are really feeling the pressure of the world-wide economic recession at this time. We are here working with them to create new products for the fall season and plan for the future.

World Fair Trade Day

Join us for a Fair Trade Coffee Break

celebrating World Fair Trade Day May 7-9th.

Free coffee samples and a great sale!

Scarves, jewelry, handbags, table runners and much more on sale.

Free gift with any purchase over $30 while supplies last.

Daily drawings.

Fair trade video

This video really explains the concept of fair trade well. Enjoy it and feel free to comment on it as well.

Mars bars and cadbury are going fair trade

Mars bars has decided to make the move to buy cocoa only from suppliers who "meet certain environmental, labor and production standers," according to a New York Times article. (you can check out the whole article here: Mars Sets Goal for Sustainable Sources by 2020 - washingtonpost.com)

Mars said they plan to accomplish this by the year 2020, but it will not affect their prices (which is a relief to anyone who absolutely loves Mars bars).

Cadbury is also planing to go fair trade with its Dairy Milk chocolate bars by the end of the summer. unfortunately it is not planning to do so with any of its other bars. But every step helps!

Divine recipes!

Want to make some fair trade goodies for Valentine's Day? Check out the desert recipes from Divine Chocolates, like this Double Chocolate Torte! We stock the full range of Divine products at Fair World Marketplace.

Nativities on Sale

We are at the height of the season and to celebrate we are putting a selection of nativities on sale this week.

This hand-carved nativity set is made in Peru and is a simple and elegant addition to your holiday. The regular price is $55, and we are offering at the great price of $35.

These metal nativities are made in Haiti from recycled oil drums. The 3-panel hinged screen nativity is on sale for $95.50. The manger sculpture is being offered at a great savings for $55.50

Ceramics on Special

Starting December 3rd, we're adding a few ceramic items to our holiday specials. These make a great addition to your home, or a great gift.


These leaf-pattern ceramics are handmade in Indonesia. This platter and serving bowl are beautiful individually and even better as a matching set. Our sale price is $36 for each of them.


This ornately decorated condiment dish is crafted in Vietnam, where there is a long tradition of ceramics. The handpainted dragonfly dish is on sale for $26.

Let The Shopping Season Begin

With the coming of Thanksgiving, the holidays are in full swing. We've decorated the store and brought in a lot of exciting new items to make it even easier for you to support Fair Trade and find the perfect gifts.

These handmade jute gift bags are made in Calcutta by a group of former prostitutes, now working with dignity to create these festive jute bags. It’s a quick, easy way to wrap gifts and make a difference at the same time. Our special price is $3.99.

To make the countdown to Christmas a little sweeter, we are putting our Divine Chocolate Advent Calenders on sale for $5.95.

It's also time to get the christmas cards in the mail, so this week we are adding these beautiful hand-cut paper cards to our list of specials. These cards are made in Thailand through the Hands of Hope Project, which supports villagers living with HIV/AIDS. Choose from a wide selection and get 3 for $9.

New Specials for Nov. 19th

It's time to start decorating for the season! With that in mind, we are starting off this weeks' round of specials with a great deal on these jute paper stars. Handmade in Bangladesh, these beautiful stars add a unique touch to your season. We are offering them for the special price of $8.00!

These wool throws come in two patterns and make for a warm and versatile accessory. They are handmade in Nepal and are normally $44.00. We are putting them on special for $26.00.

This orange-blossom soap is made by Enterprising Kitchen, a chicago group that is devoted to providing development and support services for women who are working towards self-sufficiency. The soap comes in a beautiful bark paper box, a great gift at the special price of $10.95