Saratoga Fair Trade Market brings fight to poverty
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> The fifth annual Saratoga Fair Trade Market Expo will once again give area residents an opportunity to join the fight against worldwide poverty while getting all their holiday shopping done in one location.
Expanded to two days this year, the 2018 Saratoga Fair Trade Market Expo is scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1 on the second floor of the Saratoga Springs City Center, located at 522 Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs.
Admission, as always, is free.
The Fair-Trade Market Expo is an easy way for the community to skip the crowded malls for a day and lend a hand up to artisans in the developing world, giving them the opportunity to earn an honorable living for themselves and support their families.
Everything on sale at the market has been made under fair trade conditions, meaning the artisans and producers received fair compensation for their labor, enjoyed safe workplaces, and created their goods using environmentally friendly practices.
This year’s market will feature 20 vendors and proj-
ects including several vendors with roots in Saratoga Springs. These vendors include Mango Tree Imports, The Bosnian Handcraft Project, AOET Uganda, The Giving Circle, Seeds for Peace, and Every Basket Counts.
Some of the unique products that shoppers will be seeing are beautifully crafted jewelry, African market baskets, children’s character hats, silk scarves, toys, and table linens.
Also, they will find handmade quilts from Vietnam, baskets and handbags from Africa and Asia, slippers and jewelry from Bosnia, hand carvings from the Holy Land and much more.
“If you are looking for that perfect one of a kind gift this is the perfect opportunity,” a press release for the event said.
“Be part of the Fair-Trade movement that is an effort to stop the exploitative labor practices around the world,” the release continued. “Shop with purpose this season while purchasing beautifully made merchandise for your loved ones.”
Live music will be provided by Rich Clements and Jon Tario at the event.
A free scavenger hunt will be held all day with prizes for kids as well..
The Saratoga Fair Trade Market Expo is hosted by New Life Fellowship Church & The Bosnian Handcraft Project, located at 51 Old Gick Rd. in Saratoga Springs.
More information about the expo can be obtained my emailing saratogafairtrade@gmail.com.