What’s Fair and Just Makes for Good Business

Society continues to move forward, and if businesses don’t follow the global lead, they will be left behind. The juvenile products industry, inch by inch, is going organic and placing Fair Trade practices squarely on its business radar. By supporting Fair Trade, organic, and eco-friendly transactions across the globe, both the environment and low income economies are given a fighting chance at sustainability and growth. Every day, more and more children’s businesses are becoming part of the Fair Trade phenomenon, including: noted*, mirasa design, One World Projects, and Maggie’s Functional Organics.

noted* Acknowledges Fair Trade, Quality and Creativity

Noted is wholesale distributor located in New York that offers fair trade quality products, including wooden toys and hand puppets. The Soopsori Ecowooden Toys line includes a play chef set, birthday party set, play fishing set, giraffe and elephant domino sets, rattle set, and two designs of wooden push-along cars.

Soopsori Ecowooden Toys are created from twenty separate kinds of wood and then polished with linseed oil, making the toys safe and environmentally friendly. The toys create an air of tradition, stability and wild organic creativity. Even the packaging is eco-friendly as Soopsori toys come boxed in all natural cardboard boxes.

Noted’s line of wool felt hand puppets are handmade in Nepal. A Japanese artist creates the expressive designs exclusively for Noted. The 100% wool material is comfortable and flexible for storytelling and movement. The charming puppet collection includes a chicken, pig, horse, frog, giraffe, panda, lion, and monkey. Each retails for $19.95.

For more about these noteworthy products and the fair trade program, visit www.notedco.com and its partner company www.brooklyn5and10.com

mirasa design Honors India’s Heritage

Aashumi Shah understands children. She understands tactile stimulation is imperative for development and that a child’s world goes beyond simple pink and blue. Because Shah understands all of this, she started mirasa design in 2009 after a homemade present to her niece, Atia, inspired her to take her undiscovered talent further than her family tree. Still, Shah has never forgotten where her inspiration came from. The word “mirasa” means “heritage” in Hindi and Shah uses the colors and traditional embroidery styles of India in her creations.

mirasa’s My Fun product line consists of stuffed toy lions, hippos, zebras, and owls, (enhanced with the brand’s trademark tactile elements); floor pillows; and accessories like the My Fun Bag ($14.00) and the My Fun Play Mat/Wall Hanging ($110.00). All of mirasa’s eco-friendly products are 100% cotton, stuffed with polyfill, and free of azo.

As an added bonus, a percentage of the proceeds from every My Fun purchase is donated to the Room to Read girl’s education program in India.

To support these worthy products and worthwhile cause, visit www.mirasadesign.com

One World Projects is One for All

One World Projects makes contributions and supports our developing world through fair trade, dedication to renewable resources and livable wages. One World also provides food, shelter, clothing, education, and health care for artisans and their communities that provide fair trade products.

In 1992, Phil Smith created One World Projects, located in western New York. Its mission is to provide those in developing countries with opportunities for economic sustainability and self-determination. One World Projects distributes, warehouses, and imports goods handmade by over 80 artisan groups throughout Latin America, Asia, and Africa and sells those goods to consumers and wholesale buyers.

Examples of the creative, unique products One World imports include the African cotton stuffed Mud Cloth Animals, Ayacucho Piggy Banks (painted in Peru), and Bops! Jackfruit Percussion Toys. The Afghan Teddies for Two deserves special recognition. One World Projects donates a teddy bear to a child in Afghanistan for every Teddy purchased.

To more than double the hugs from Teddy Bears, lend support and offer your customers unique items crafted from around the world, learn more at www.oneworldprojects.com

Maggie’s Functional Organics Clothing is Certifiably Green and Fair Trade

Maggie’s Functional Organics is one of the original innovators in organic clothing, having been in business for over 18 years. All of the company’s products are made from either Certified Organic Cotton or Certified Organic Wool. FairTradeUSA only recently began certifying clothing companies, and Maggie’s Organics was one of the very first to be certified under that directive.

Maggie’s Functional Organics takes pride in its quality and craftsmanship. The brand’s line of legwear is particularly popular. The Baby and Youth Tights ($20.00-22.00) are made from super stretchy Peruvian cotton. The tights are patterned, with black and purple, green striped, white, and beige with flowers.

Maggie’s organic magic doesn’t stop with tights! Make sure to check out the enchanting Baby Bodysuits (hand dyed and plain) and various styles of charming baby socks, including fun, tie-dye baby anklets.

Add to your organic and fair trade clothing at www.maggiesorganics.com