Wild Oats, Wegmans to Sell Fair Trade Gifts and Housewares

BOULDER, Colo. and Rochester, N.Y. - Natural and organic foods retailer Wild Oats and regional independent Wegmans are showing that the Fair Trade movement is not limited to food, via a new line of gifts and housewares that the two chains are going to carry starting this month.

World of Good, a fair trade products marketer, is introducing the housewares line at both of the retailers' stores, following what it said was a successful test launch. The company already offers handcrafted gift items, jewelry, and fashion accessories through traditional retail environments, it said.
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Typically, the term Fair Trade has been associated with food products. "Our consumers are hungry for ethically sourced, sustainable goods, yet many people don't realize that fair trade extends beyond coffee," said Wild Oats' national category manager, Karen Schroeder. "Through World of Good, we offer a beautiful selection of fairly traded items -- all within the convenience of a natural food shopping experience."

"We knew we were on to something when our bamboo bowls sold out so fast we had to airlift in new products -- not once, but twice," said Priya Haji, c.e.o. and co-founder of World of Good. "We're fulfilling our mission by improving the lives of 3,500 artisans and their families worldwide, while simultaneously growing awareness for ethically sourced, sustainably-produced goods to this country."
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