Fair Trade Chocolate: Making the Switch

This isn't a photography post.

But it is about chocolate.

A couple of years ago, I began to photograph for Partners for Just Trade and was exposed to the world of fair trade products, and more specifically, the large world of unfair products.  As our family learned about the high cost of our culture's lifestyle and how our desire for ever cheaper products has, in many cases, created a life of suffering for those who create much of the products we use in our lives, it became a no brainer to buy fair trade whenever we can and to limit our purchasing all together to get the things we really need.  It broke my heart to know that my selfishness to want to save a few more cents made someone else have to live on only a few cents or to work in harsh conditions.  I supported it.

I am still frugal. I still spend little. But I am cautious not to buy things that, even if indirectly, do not show love, do not edify God's people and his creation. I buy fair trade not as a buzz word, but out of an effort to shop with integrity.

On our trip to the UK to visit family a few weeks ago, we were in the grocery store and I was so excited that almost every product I was seeing was labeled as fair trade. And it wasn't just, oh, look, there is one brand of spices that has some fair trade cinnamon, but there were several.  Many companies were making wise choices.  I was also saddened that at home I have to search high and low to find companies with transparency and fair trade labels.

So this week, we made the switch to Fair Trade Chocolate. 

The cocoa industry is full of non-fair trade practices and slavery.  I prefer to eat my sweets that aren't tainted by slavery or harsh labor conditions or poverty.  In fact, I want to only eat sweets that aren't tainted by slavery.  I do not know how much of a challenge that will be, but that is what I want to do.

As baking season comes upon us, will you make the switch?  As your holiday shopping commences, will you shop at Partners for Just Trade? Will you stop shopping at stores and buying brands that aren't making the grade?

Partners for Just Trade

Partners for Just Trade make appearances here on the PLP blog quite often, and here they are again!  They've just received what I think I heard was over 2000 pounds of merchandise from Peru for this upcoming season.  I photographed most of it for their website. And then decided that I needed to buy a lot of things for myself.

We're headed out of the office for about 10 days starting next week, so I needed to buy a Fair Trade toiletry case!

 And the winter season is coming, and my bookings aren't slowing down so I needed some matching arm warmers and hat.  I'll be donning these soon, don't you worry about that! I've even been growing my hair out a little bit for hat season.

 And perhaps you could wear this scarf... or get some handmade Christmas Ornaments. Or a blanket. Or stuffed animals. Or an apron. Or some fruit. They sell so many things!

 This is to get you in the holiday mood.  And speaking of which, current clients, be watching your in-boxes for some Purple Lemon Photography holiday sales!

What is a Ruana?

Though photographically simple, I did a very exciting shoot a week or two ago.  Partners for Just Trade had me photograph a few products for them again, but this time, it's going big time!  They are expanding their sales to overstock.com's fair trade section called Worldstock. So that means by the end of this week, I'll have pictures on a major website--even if just a few small products.  It makes me a little bit giddy!

I have a big thanks to give to a client and new friend who was willing to model for me. She did a great job! Thanks, A!

Getting back to my title... This, you see, is a ruana.  It's a shaped shawl, great for the upcoming winter and fall seasons.  Just imagine yourself walking through Forest Park with your kids (maybe having a family portrait session), wrapped up to keep out the crisp fall chill in the air.  Or you are out picking apples wearing your ruana.  Or perhaps you are curled up by the fireplace, wrapped up in this super-soft ruana. 

I'm pretty terrible at sales, but looks like I could sell a ruana any day- even in the heat of summer!