Local fair trade dealer growing

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, May 11, 2005 | by Nicholas Yulico, BUSINESS WRITER

FOR SOCIALLY conscious consumers, first came fair trade coffee, then fair trade cocoa, tea and tropical fruits. Now, a local company is building its way into grocery stores and yoga shops with its line of fair trade gifts and handicrafts.

World of Good, based in Berkeley, buys baskets, bags and other accessories from artisan cooperatives in 20 countries. The startup company's mission is to become the Hallmark of fair trade gifts.

Its products are currently offered at branded kiosks in more than 55 retail locations, including 14 Whole Foods stores in the Bay Area, local bookstores and yoga studios -- in short, places that don't have in-house buyers sourcing baskets from African artisans.

"Products are sourced under fair trade guidelines that generate employment for women and disadvantaged communities, promise a living wage, and promote social and economic development," according to the company's business plan, which recently won the Global Social Venture Competition.

Founded in 2004 by two recent MBA graduates from the University of