Fair trade kids toys from Partners for Just Trade at Chicago Green Festival 2009

Fair trade carrying case for the Rain Forest Finger Puppet set,
appliquéd and embroidered with an arpillera rain forest scene.
(credit: Renée Carver)

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All Articles on Eco-friendly Kids' Toys and
Services at Chicago Green Festival

• Eco-friendly kids products at 2009 Chicago Green Festival
  

• eco-kids™ natural art supplies

• Global Green Pals™ eco-educational dolls

• Fair Indigo organic fair trade Joobles dolls, clothes

• Simple® eco-friendly infant and kids shoes

• Creative Pitch art supplies donation program
• Green Parents Network online social community
• Nature's Creatures Animal Shows for Chicago families
• Green Sugar Press children's books about nature
• Better World Books online bookstore funding literacy
• KIWI organic family lifestyle and parenting magazine

Chicagoans attending the 2009 Green Festival at Navy Pier could admire a variety of fair trade children's toys and products displayed at the Partners for Just Trade booth. These kids' playthings and accessories are made by poverty-stricken artisans in other countries who are paid a fair wage by PJT to sell their products through this non-profit Christian organization.

About Partners for Just Trade (PJT)

The mission of Partners for Just Trade is to build relationships between impoverished artisans and conscientious consumers who want to support economic justice and make sure that everyone can participate in the global marketplace and receive a fair wage for his or her work.

More than 15 groups of artisans (employing over 200 producers) now supply PJT with products to sell on their online Web site and through retail stores and other venues. PJT helps artisans professionally by assisting them in designing their products and then pricing them fairly and marketing them in North America. PJT also helps artisans on a personal level, making sure their basic needs are met and helping them educate their children and secure their basic economic, political, and social rights.

Partners for Just Trade and Fair Trade practices

The guiding principles of Fair Trade that PJT follows include:

• Following environmentally sustainable practices.
• Paying fair wages to artisans in the context of their local community so that money will be reinvested in that community.
• Providing producers with financial and technical support as needed.
• Making sure men and women are treated equally.
• Establishing and sustaining long-term relationships with artisans and producers.
• Conducting business in a transparent and publically accountable manner.
• Teaching consumers about fair trade.

Fair trade kids toys and accessories at Green Festival Chicago

The charming fair trade kids' products being shown at the PJT booth included several small themed finger puppet sets that were hand-knit from 100% acrylic wool, adorable soft elephant backpacks with hand-inked Shipibo fabric-lined ears, and hand-knit stuffed llama dolls and stuffed monkey dolls.

How to buy fair trade toys from Partners for Just Trade

Visit the Partners for Just Trade Web site to check out their entire selection of fair trade toys and accessories for babies and children. Retailers and individuals who would like to help PJT's mission and support economic and social justice can find out on the PJT Web site how to sell these fair trade items themselves.