New Year's Resolution: Clean Up and Green Up Your Personal Care Products

As we turn the calendar page to 2009, many of us will be setting goals for the upcoming new year. Travel plans, new projects, and thoughts of renewal will be on our minds. During this time of reform, I suggest that we also take a look at the personal care products on our shelves and make a resolution to clean up our acts. After all, the skin is our body's largest organ, absorbing whatever we put on. We pay attention to the ingredients in our food that nourish our internal organs, why not start paying attention to those in our soaps and shampoos as well? By eliminating products containing the ingredients listed below, we can maintain and enrich our body's first line of defense. Make a resolution for good health from the outside in.

The Bad Guys:

The following products are common additives to personal care products that are harmful to our bodies. Next time you pick up a bottle of lotion or deodorant, be sure to check out the label and steer clear from anything that contains the following:

sodium lauryl sulfate: This ingredient is used as a detergent, emulsifier, and foaming agent in thousands of cosmetic products. It is produced synthetically by the sulfation of lauryl alcohol. Sodium lauryl sulfate irritates the skin and dries the skin and hair due to its degreasing abilities.

propylene glycol: This is one of the world's most largely used cosmetic ingredients. It is a derivative of natural gas that is used as a moisture-carrying vehicle in everything from moisturizers and toothpastes to antifreeze and artificial smoke.

parabens: These preservatives are produced from synthetic chemicals and are considered toxic and allergenic to the body. Research done in the European Union has led many to believe that these chemicals alter hormone function and increase the risk of certain cancers and infertility.

synthetic fragrance: These synthetic substances used to impart odor into cosmetic products can trigger allergic reactions in many individuals. Common forms of synthetic fragrance, phthalates, have been shown to be mutagenic, cancer causing, and adversely affect human male sperm.

The Good Guys:

The above list may sound ominous but don't worry, there is hope. Certain companies have been reviewed by our staff and given the "Wedge Award". This award guarantees that none of the products offered by the company contain any of the nasties listed above.

Here are a few top of the line brands to look for just to get you started:

EvanHealy: A revolution in skin care and hands-down Wedge Co-op & Wedge Worldwide staff favorite. These products are worth their weight in gold. Clean as can be, purifying, and nourishing, these skin care products are made to order in small batches and sent directly to us. Discover the radiance that rosehip treatment oils, floral hydrosols and clay masks can bring to your skin.

Sensuous Beauty: These "sensual" botanical formulations are made entirely from fresh food and plant-based ingredients. Formulated by hand in small batches, this company uses organic and ethically wildcrafted herbs in their cosmetic concoctions. Check out items like their line of body pleasure products.

Dr. Hauschka: A complete line of holistic face and body care products, this company has offered us the highest quality of products for over 40 years. Their commitment to sustainable practices is evident in their use of biodynamically grown and harvested herbs in their products. If you haven't indulged yet, now might be the time. Their bath products are dreamy.

Alaffia: Sustainable skin care products made with fair-trade, hand-harvested shea butter - the highest quality available. Aditionally, 10% of the company's profits go back to the African communities that produce their raw materials. Try their luxuriously moisturizing soaps, shampoos, lotions and creams... or my favorite, unrefined shea butter.

Scrub Your Butt: An all natural, locally (Minnesota) based company offering a variety of different body washes made from organic based soap. Great products with whimsical names like our best seller "Stinky Hippie" patchouli body wash.

written by Katie Frerker

Brewing the Perfect Cup of Tea

Autumn is officially here, and soon to be on its way out. Along with the equinox, cooler temperatures sweep in and fall breezes begin to blow. As you spend your days out in the fresh air watching the leaves change hue, there's nothing that satisfies more than a hot cup of tea to warm your body up from the inside out. It's the wool sweater of the beverage world in the fall.

However, making this cup of tea isn't as simple as pouring hot water in a cup. To truly enjoy and savor your tea drinking experience let me offer you a few basic guidelines that will make each cup a memorable one. Our bulk herb department has a wide variety of loose teas and herbs to help get you started.

Common Mistakes in the World of Tea Brewing
Several common mistakes can have a drastic effect on the flavor of your tea and can even end up costing you more money. Pay attention to these little details next time you brew up a pot and see if you can tell the difference.

Correct Measurement
When brewing a pot of tea using bulk tea leaves most people just dump in the leaves until there's a nice pile at the bottom of the pot. That looks like a good amount, right? Wrong! Did you know you only need about one measuring teaspoon full of tea leaves per 8 oz cup? Measure it out next time and you'll see that you can have just as much flavor using far fewer leaves. Brewing the proper amount can make your tea drinking a much more affordable habit.

Full Leaf Expansion
Now that you have the proper amount of tea measured out, it's important to make sure the leaves have enough room to fully expand so that all of the flavors can be released. Your strainer should be large enough to let the leaves expand to 3-5 times their original size. Basket infusers work very well for providing ample expansion room. You can also brew the leaves right in the pot and strain them out afterwards.

Tea Particulars
Different types of tea require different steeping temperatures and times. Many teas will become bitter if steeped too long or develop an unpleasant flavor if the water is the wrong temperature. Follow these guidelines to bring out the full flavor in each variety.

Black Tea
Black teas can be steeped for approximately 4-6 minutes when the water is at a full, rolling boil.

Green Tea
Green tea leaves are more delicate than black and require a lower steeping temperature and shorter time. The water is the right temperature just before it begins to boil, when steam is swirling out of the kettle. Steep the leaves for only 2-3 minutes.

Herbal Tea
Herbal teas can be made with boiling water and generally steep for about 6 minutes. When making a medicinal herbal tea however, steeping times of 10-15 minutes will brew a stronger cup and can be more effective.

Next time you get out the teapot, follow these basic guidelines and see if you can taste the difference. Happy steeping!

Check out the teas currently available on Wedge Worldwide!

written by Katie Frerker

Doing the Best That We Can.

Well, the election is over and now the holidays are the next thing to look forward to. It seems as though they are approaching at nearly the speed of light. Time passes so quickly and all we can do is attempt to plan ahead, while doing the best that we can with what we have available to us.

The holidays can be a particularly tricky time of year. Hopefully, Wedge Worldwide is able to simplify the process somewhat. While looking for products to carry, we commit ourselves to the following concepts:

• Earth-Friendly & Natural
• Sustainability & Organics
• Fair Trade
• Social Responsibility
• Locally Made
• Recycled Materials

Our icons lay out these concepts, giving a quite thorough overview of our buying process. By keeping our buying practices transparent, we hope to assure you that you are getting the best products available, according to our standards, which hopefully match up with your values.

The Wedge Co-op (our parent company) and Wedge Worldwide are working to create a future that we can all look forward to. The previously listed concepts are just where we begin, with what we are tangibly presenting to you. As a co-op there are many other principles that we stand for. Read a previous blog regarding National Co-op Month (October) and the values that our business is based on.

Think about the products you are buying. Think about where they are coming from, the useful life of the product or material, the impact the product will make or has made on the environment, et cetera. Think about these things and let your ethics lead the way this holiday season.

written by Jessie

Does this Hemp Shopping Bag Make Me Look Like a Hippie?

Simply answered, no. There are many things to address here, but still keeping it simple, it is not the hemp that makes someone a hippie and what is so wrong with being a hippie, anyway? Your hemp shopping bag actually makes you look smart.

Hemp is an all around smart choice, mainly due to how earth friendly it is. It is an environmentally positive crop, improving soil quality as it grows. It requires no herbicides and is naturally resistant to insects, fungus and other pests. Hemp grows rapidly during its vegetative period, becoming tall and thick. It suppresses weeds, and shades and mulches the ground, which its deep taproots break up and aerate. These attributes promote healthy microbial soil life and leave the earth in a condition where it is easily worked and able to retain moisture during the next growing season.

With that said, an additional fact is that hemp is reusable and durable. The material is good throughout the growth and use stages of it's life. Hemp Shopping Bags are a superior choice to any common plastic (and paper, for that matter) shopping bags because they are an easy way to decrease the amount of waste we create each year. A hemp shopping bag adds the bonus of it being created from a sustainable plant, that has a positive impact on the soil as it grows. Check out the rest of our reusable shopping bags and our other hemp products.

written by Jessie

Celebrate National Co-op Month!

If you did not know already, Wedge Worldwide is a department of a consumer owned co-op in Minneapolis. The Wedge Co-op to be exact. And October is the month to celebrate our business and the values it supports. It is National Co-op Month.

Here is a bit more information about co-ops. Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. We base our business model on the values outlined in the Co-op Principles, which are as follows:

• Voluntary and Open Membership
• Democratic Member Control
• Member Economic Participation
• Autonomy and Independence
• Education, Training and Information
• Cooperation Among Co-operatives
• Concern for Community

Learn more about the Co-op Principles on the Wedge Co-op's website.

Now that the very base of co-ops is laid out, what is National Co-op Month? The National Co-op Month's official website states, “Each October, cooperatives all across America celebrate the role, accomplishments and contributions of our nation’s cooperatives.

The annual celebrations play a key role in promoting cooperatives to our members, the public and policy makers. Through a combination of media outreach, member education, and interaction with policy makers, co-op month events help raise the visibility of your cooperative, and improve public understanding of cooperatives.”

The theme for National Co-op Month 2008 is as follows: “Stronger Together – Go.coop!” promoting the idea that everyone is stronger when we work together. Cooperatively owned businesses inherently invoke that concept through the democratic structure of their business models. “Stronger Together” was selected to establish the idea that, “when together, among each other or with consumers, cooperatives become an attractive and viable force in today’s global marketplace.”

So celebrate any cooperatively owned businesses that you know and love this month. Show your appreciation for all of the work that they do to improve how businesses are run, products are produced, et cetera.

A Day in the Life of Peace Coffee's Delivery Cyclist

Brad, the sole bike courier for Peace Coffee, is an essential cog in a wheel of change.

From the farmers of third world grower's cooperatives to the cups of globally-aware Minnesotans, each fair-trade coffee bean travels thousands of miles and is touched by the most committed and hard working hands in the organic movement. In the fair-trade coffee biz the local worker co-op, Peace Coffee, stands out above the rest. They think of the ecosystem over the individual, the global community over the profit margin and the 10-speed over the truck.

Brad presses the boundaries of eco-expectations by lugging about 300 pounds of organic fair-trade coffee by bike around the Twin Cities. Much like a pack mule high in the Colombian mountains, he pushes himself to the very limits. His daily grind takes him to Mississippi Market one day and the Wedge (Peace Coffee's top seller) the next. This demanding schedule leaves Brad with little time to relax or engage in other Peace Coffee affairs. "The convenient luxury of a break is secondary to the Peace Coffee mandate of selling fair-trade coffee," says Brad.

This Kenosha, WI native believes in the bike movement wholeheartedly, which led him to work at Freewheel here in Minneapolis. "Bikes remove the walls of our daily lives and they bring communities together. I truly believe it's only a matter of time before we'll all be on bikes," he says.

It wasn't until he volunteered at North Country Co-op that Brad's destiny with Peace Coffee started to unfold. "I fell in love with [Peace Coffee's] Birch blend," he says. With his love of biking and fair-trade organic coffee, becoming the Peace Coffee courier was a natural fit. "This is such an inexpensive and efficient means of delivery. For the price of a year's worth of insurance on a delivery van you can buy yourself a really nice bike," Brad explains.

Of course, there are the occasional vulgarities and threats thrown from speeding cars of the not so forward-thinking individuals. "I think I repress most of the bad stuff on the road. It's endemic of our society to have hostility towards people on bikes, but for every bad interaction there's at least five supportive people cheering me on," Brad says.

This local reporter enjoyed a ride on the Greenway and the annoyance of a honking car horn but will gladly leave this duty to a professional.

The torrential winds of a winter storm or the thick humidity of late July would keep the most well-intentioned citizens indoors. Brad's daily trek is not only his job, it is his passion. "Knowing I get to ride my bike helps me get up in the morning," he proclaims.

With thighs screaming and horns blaring, Brad's caffeinated cargo reaches its destination with the same dedication as the old mail carrier motto. He pushes through every seasonal change by blending thoughtful determination with global reverence. "The first unofficial day of spring is always the best. There is a positive vibe throughout the city, and that's when I get the most waves and smiles from people."

A cup of java served with compassion made Peace Coffee a quick hit among the local co-ops and coffee shops. As interest in their conscientious coffee brewed, Peace Coffee added a bio-diesel van to their dynamic family. This edition expands the delivery area beyond the scope of a Schwinn. "It's impractical to expect us to deliver coffee by bike to all of the suburbs and out of state. Having an alternative to gas made the change even more attractive." While Peace Coffee's origins are with bike delivery, bio-diesel or the occasional postage stamp allows for its national exposure.

"I'm obviously not the first bike deliverer, but I hope to continue setting an example for future viability in our cities," Brad declares.

The positive atmosphere of this peace peddler is contagious right down to the last drop. Next winter when cabin fever sets in, Brad will be riding down the Greenway dragging a couple hundred pounds of coffee through a below zero wind chill and he will be grinning ear to ear. He gives new meaning to the word devotion, and that's what makes really good coffee great.

reposted from wedge.coop

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Although, all of our readers are not local, Peace Coffee's dedication to the environment makes an impact on the overall process. Read a blog with similar topic, where we lay out the some effects that we see when we support local companies and artists at Wedge Worldwide, even though we are a national retailer. Also, check out Peace Coffee's products that Wedge Worldwide carries.

Pangea Organics: Ecocentric Body Care

Pangea Organics believes that what makes a good company and a good product are one and the same: Integrity- of philosophy, product, performance, practices, principles, people and the planet. Buying Pangea Organics' products does more than make a body feel good, it supports sustainable agriculture that includes everything from fair trade sourcing and organic farming to living wages and the use of renewable, recycled and recyclable resources. Pangea Organics philosophy is simple: Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative. And, their body care products are as simple as that, too.

Ingredients in Pangea Organics products are clearly listed so you know exactly what you are purchasing and putting on your body. Their products are free of petrochemicals, parabens, GMOs and other synthetic, harmful and hidden ingredients. In addition to clean products, their packaging can grow! All of Pangea Organics' product boxes are made using a zero waste process with 100% post-consumer paper and organic seeds like sweet basil and amaranth. Simply slip off the label, soak the box in water for one minute and plant it in the earth.

Pangea Organics believes that what we consume today, directly impacts how we - and future generations - will live tomorrow. Due to this, Pangea Organics takes an active role in making life better by promising to remain true to the people their products are made for and to the place their product ingredients come from, the earth. With this in mind, a portion of their profits go to help build the Pangea Institute, an emerging non-profit organization dedicated to researching and teaching aspects of sustainable living and business practices. Choosing to buy Pangea Organics means you are positively impacting the future. This is body care that is good for the skin, soil and soul.

Check out Pangea Organics products on Wedge Worldwide.

reposted from Wedge Worldwide

Labor Day Evokes Ethics (and much more)

Labor Day is coming up, which means some of us will be blessed with a day off of work, in appreciation of all the hard work that we do. Labor Day makes me think about the whole process of creating, buying and selling products. I envision labor unions, fair trade, ethically produced items, education for consumers, product quality, et cetera. This blog will touch on a number, if not all of these thoughts.

What Labor Day also makes me think of (outside of the product life cycle) is that school has either just begun or it is right around the corner. If you are not feeling quite ready or need a few more things to round out your eco-collection, here are just a few suggestions (along with a bit about why they are good alternatives to their common counterparts) for your back-to-school shopping list:

• Hemp & Organic Cotton Urban Messenger Bag: This Messenger Bag is both eco-friendly and eco-chic. Smart and attractive, what else could someone ask for from their messenger bag? Organic materials are one important factor that we at Wedge Worldwide use when considering products to offer. The following definition of "organic" was passed by the National Organic Standards Board and shows a bit of why it is such an important factor in our product selection process:

  "Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.

  The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.

  Organic food handlers, processors and retailers adhere to standards that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people."

• Sweatshop-Free Union-Made Hoodies: As I mentioned, Labor Day brings up thoughts of unions and their advocacy for workers. Since these sweatshirts are both sweatshop-free and union-made you can be sure that your hoodies were produced in an ethical working environment. In fact they were produced by the UNITE shop in Bangor, PA which is represented by the Allentown-Easton District Council Locals 111, 234 and 243. Ethically produced items make me feel all warm and fuzzy, kind of like these great sweatshirts.
  

• Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles: Stainless Steel (and metal generally speaking) is becoming a common household option for a safe alternative to plastic (Bisphenol A: BPA) water bottles. With the frenzy of media attention about the safety and health concerns of plastic water bottles, people are now choosing metal options. The Environmental Working Group advocates for consumers' safety through education. They are a valuable resource when looking at possible safety concerns of consumer goods. Check out their blog regarding BPA: "Your BPA Questions: Answered." Also, check back with Wedge Worldwide because we are looking forward to receiving the Klean Kanteen water bottles in more sizes and colors very soon.
  
  
• Fair Trade Reusable Cotton Lunch Bag: Along with the commotion around plastic water bottles, comes the realities of plastic bags and the rampant use of them. Reusable products are an important alternative to disposable products; reusable bags only being one solution and category of this massive issue. But it all brings us back to the basics of the eco and green movements: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

written by Jessie

Just How Lo(cal) Can You Go?

And we don't mean low calorie, we mean local, as in locally grown, produced, et cetera.

Although Wedge Worldwide is not local to many readers, we still have a focus on locally-made products. And even though many of the purchases go outside of our local bubble of Minneapolis, Minnesota, buying local still has its benefits.

By offering local products on Wedge Worldwide, we are able to help support a regional artist or business, which further supports our local economy and community. Also, bringing in products from talented individual and vendors from our home region of Minnesota, or a neighboring state, we also reduce the amount of fossil fuels used during product shipment, in the process of getting our wonderful products to all of you. So, even if you are not considered to be local in respect to Wedge Worldwide, you are still helping our community and the environment. Here's a bit more on that topic from the Minneapolis Eat Local blog.

Now that it is already coming upon the end of August, it is about time to mention the Eat Local Challenge, that is happening both on a local and national level. Here's a bit more information from the Wedge Co-op's website about the challenge:

The Wedge Co-op challenges you to eat local from August 15 through September 15! Join locavores in co-ops across the country in the Eat Local America Challenge. It's a fun, easy and tasty competition.

If this is your first time attempting to eat local for a whole month, you might want start at the Local Learners level, by pledging to eat five meals a week based on local foods.

If that's not challenging enough, consider becoming a Leading Locavore, by basing 80% of your diet—or four out of every five items or ingredients—on food produced within the five-state region.

How does the Eat Local America Challenge work? For one month, the Wedge will be calculating local sales for the whole store. We want to see how high of a local percentage we can hit this year and set the standard for next year. Throughout the Eat Local America Challenge, stop by Customer Service to see how local we are!

Also, check out the Wedge website for local recipes, opportunities to visit local farms and read up-to-the-minute action in the Eat Local America Challenge from bloggers, chefs and your favorite farmers.

If you want even more information, check out the Eat Local blogs from the Minneapolis area and the national level.

Wedge Worldwide works hard to find the best (read eco-friendly, fair trade, sustainable) products that are available for our customers. We also work to be transparent in our business and what qualities our products have.

Our Icons help lead the viewer through the product pages, keeping everyone informed about the qualities of the individual product, such as: fairly traded, organic, eco-friendly, recycled materials, locally made, or made by a socially conscious vendor (meaning the vendor donates a percentage of their profits). Essentially, the icons take you through our buying practices. Also, check out our buying philosophy for our natural body care products.

As a final note, here are some Local vendors that Wedge Worldwide works with (they're links, so check 'em out):

SYB Soap Company
Peace Coffee
Green Glass
Robin Rifé
Veriditas

written by Jessie

Say my Name: Equal Exchange Mulls Re-naming Ethiopian Coffee

Is Organic Ethiopian coffee misnamed? Equal Exchange thinks so, and out of respect for the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, Equal Exchange Coffee Co-op is changing the name of its Organic Ethiopian coffee to Organic Oromian.

Joe Riemann, Equal Exchange Coffee Co-op and Arfasse Gemeda, Youth Organizer for the Oromo Community of Minnesota.

Fair Trade Organic Ethiopian Coffee is Equal Exchange's second best selling "Point of Origin" coffee (Colombian is first) and the coffee company purchased over 420,000 lbs of coffee from Ethiopia last year, for use in various blends.

Equal Exchange will test-launch this name change in Minnesota co-ops in February.

"Some customers may see it as just a new name for their coffee," said Equal Exchange's Joe Riemann, responsible for spearheading this project, "but coffee means so much to the Oromian people. This name change is powerful for them on a real personal, social, and cultural identity level."

The name change from Ethiopian to "Organic Oromian" would specify for consumers where the coffee comes from, Oromia (o-ROH-mia) in Ethiopia, which is the homeland of the Oromo people. The coffee is still cited as originating in Ethiopia, too, of course.

"Oromia isn't internationally recognized," Riemann said, "and that's the problem."

Oromos constitute the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, and nearly one hundred percent of Equal Exchange's Fair Trade Organic Ethiopian coffee comes from the Oromia Coffee Cooperative Union. In fact, much of the coffee grown in Ethiopia is grown in Oromia.

The name change is being tested here because Minnesotans have a unique connection to Oromia: We are home to the largest single Oromo population outside Ethiopia. Some 20,000 Oromos live in Minnesota, according to Oromo Community in Minnesota.

"This community is right under our noses, and most shop in the same places where co-op people shop, go to the same coffee shops. It felt important to reach out to them and co-op shoppers at the same time," Riemann said.

"Bringing Oromos and co-op shoppers together over Fair Trade coffee is a very cool thing."

Say My Name

As Riemann said, it might seem a matter of semantics, but Oromos have endured stiff cultural repression for decades under various Ethiopian administrations. As explained by spokesperson from the Oromo Community of Minnesota, who asked to remain anonymous for this article, cultural identity is always at stake for Oromos.

"Nearly 100% of Ethiopian coffee comes from Oromia. But the government of Ethiopia wants to hide Oromia by not attaching [its] real name to the coffee. There are strong identity issues at play in this issue."

This is because Oromos have been subject to what can only be called "ethnic cleansing" in Ethiopia. Under several governments dating back to Emperor Selassie (who was overthrown in 1974) the Oromo language was banned, their people were resettled, unlawful internments were forced upon them, and even the name "Oromia" was replaced by a highly offensive moniker. For this reason, identifying Oromian coffee as "Ethiopian" is one more way of keeping these people invisible.

"I deserve to be called by my right name," said the spokesperson. "If someone calls me by a name I don't want, that's an infringement of one's rights. We greatly appreciate Equal Exchange for being a voice to Oromos in Oromia."

Black Gold

The need for a name change became clear after a recent showing of the movie Black Gold, a documentary about Fair Trade coffee featuring the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union in Ethiopia. The movie was shown jointly by Equal Exchange and the Oromo Student Union, and the discussion afterwards was potent. The audience was almost all Oromos except for Riemann and Scott Patterson, coordinator of Equal Exchange's Minneapolis Office.

"Afterwards, they were asking, 'Why is this coffee called Ethiopian when it comes from Oromia?' " Riemann said. "It was totally emotional. I mean, I got emotional, too."

Dee, an Oromo American woman, was deeply moved by Black Gold, especially by images of starving children in lush green farmland.

"There was a lot of concern and emotion in the room that night. The people on my mother's side were all coffee farmers," Dee said. Dee herself is part of a generation born in diaspora here in Minnesota, people who fled cultural oppression in Ethiopia. "My generation, we're aware that coffee is part of our culture, but we don't make connections about where we're buying our coffee here."

She added, "I've only been drinking Equal Exchange coffee since that night."

Aware that Equal Exchange might act on behalf of Oromos in America as well as Ethiopia, Riemann wanted his company to consider a name change for the coffee, to honor the people who grow this coffee.

But can a company give up name recognition and "brand" allegiance so easily? "Ethiopian" is one of the most widely recognized coffee names on the market, after all.

So to weigh support for the name change, Equal Exchange posted a "friendly petition" online, and Oromos from around the planet have weighed in to voice their approval. From the petition site:

By changing the name of your "Organic Ethiopian" to "Organic Oromian", you will give an opportunity for the voices of the millions of oppressed Oromo people to be heard.

Recognition of the Oromo people will eventually improve the human rights situation in Ethiopia and improve stability in the Horn of Africa.

We families of coffee growers want our coffee should be named "Oromian organic coffee" and not Ethiopian organic coffee.

Over a thousand signatures have been gathered so far from Oromos and others in far-flung regions, from Australia, Canada, Kentucky, to Germany.

"This is their family," said Scott Patterson, coordinator of Equal Exchange's Minneapolis office, "but it's Fair trade, too. It's two white guys in a room of black folks, talking about social justice in Ethiopia. This is really what Fair Trade is all about."

Just the Beginning

Because Oromos live in the West Bank, St. Paul, and Mankato, Equal Exchange believes that Minnesotans are in a better position to understand the need for this name change than others. But it's Equal Exchange's hope that the co-op community here, in particular, will embrace this change and raise the profile of Oromos in America.

"Fair trade isn't a happy touchy feely story," Patterson said, referring to the hurt and injustice behind the need for this name change. "There are no illusions. It isn't fixed. Oromos know the reality, and it's important for us to face that with them. The story is just starting."

Black Gold (trailer) (YouTube)

"Freedom is Key", by Oromo rapper Epidemicthevirus (YouTube)
Human Rights Watch: Full Report on Ethiopia's Oromia Region

written by Barth Anderson
reposted from wedge.coop

Wedge Worldwide and the Wedge Co-op are both carrying the newly named Oromian Coffee from Equal Exchange. Oromian Coffee is currently exclusively sold online through Wedge Worldwide. Also check out other products from Equal Exchange offered on Wedge Worldwide.

We (Wedge Co-op shoppers) are Successfully Getting Back to the Eco Basics

Landfill Schmandfill:
Reducing Plastic Bag Use at the Wedge

Congratulations Wedge Co-op Shoppers: Since March you have saved thousands of plastic bags from the landfill by using and reusing your shopping bags for groceries. In March, the Wedge stopped offering plastic shopping bags at the registers and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Thanks for all your dedication towards reducing our impact on the environment, one piece of plastic at a time.

But what about the next step? What about bags elsewhere in the store? Customer comments have been pouring in with questions about ways we could go further on this campaign and "green-up" the rest of our store's bagging options.

Let's begin by returning to one of the old catchphrases of the eco-movement: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Did you realize that phrase was meant to be a priority order? Use it as a checklist when it comes to deciding whether to take a plastic bag or not: Reduce your usage, and if you can't, then reuse a bag. Recycling, getting rid of the bag, is a last resort.

Dave Schermerhorn, Supplier Programs Manager for the National Co-op Grocers Association (NCGA), says he uses that three-part checklist when researching and finding bag options for NCGA co-ops like the Wedge.

"The best of all worlds would be to reduce, for customers to not take that plastic bag, or any bag, at all," Schermerhorn said. "But that's not always possible." Indeed, for the Wedge to stop buying all plastic bags, without educating or preparing customers, would be a huge shock for most. How would they carry green beans to the cash register? What about rice? The Wedge couldn't simply do away with plastic bags without warning.

"If customers can't reduce, then the next best thing is to reuse," according to Schermerhorn, and this is where finding a more ecologically friendly plastic bags is key, while customers learn to bring their own bags for produce and other items. Schermerhorn's mission is to find bags and other kinds of packaging that use as little "virgin material" as possible, that is, finding bags made from reused or "recovered" plastic elements. Recovered, in this case, refers to any plastic diverted from going to the landfill. Crown Poly, the company that makes the produce bags used at NCGA co-ops, uses scraps, trim and regrindings in order to make their bags.

"It's not the perfect solution, but I like it that NCGA co-ops are creating a market for this material and keeping it out of landfills," Schermerhorn said.

Of course, co-op shoppers can re-use bags in ways that avoid plastic altogether, too. The Wedge offers durable and easy-to-clean reusable bags in two different sizes from "Eco-Bags" (small bags are $4.29; large are $4.99). These unbleached, muslin bags have a convenient drawstring tie. No need to wrestle with hard to open or tied up plastic bags any more—just pack and cinch. These are a great option for bulk items like kidney beans, rice, grains, and produce items like peaches, green beans, potatoes, etc.), but will handle wet produce too; they rinse easily and dry quickly. Eco-Bags are available in our produce department now.

Another good option is the reusable nylon "Chico Bags" in beautiful candy-bright colors. These are lightweight, compact, and expand to carry a lot of groceries. You'll be amazed at how much weight this rip-stop nylon can handle--perfect for wet or frozen groceries. Find these bags at Customer Service and at most registers.

Last in the three-part checklist, Recycle, is a trickier option, according to Schermerhorn, since only a small amount of post-consumer plastic is actually used in creating plastic bags. "If I could find a reliable and consistent source of post-consumer recycled plastic, that would be ideal," Schermerhorn said. "But the 'recovered,' post-industrial resin is a more consistent and reliable source [for bags]. Once we go through our current stock, within eight weeks, the plastic produce bags that the Wedge uses should be made from 100% recovered resin."

The Wedge, NCGA and Puget Sound. Co-op in Seattle continue to research reusable and biodegradable bagging options. Schermerhorn is skeptical of biodegradable plastic bags, however, saying that he believes that the technology isn't there yet. "I don't think [those bags] really degrade in a manner that would be environmentally beneficial. But there's new research all the time, so I'll keep looking at that."

Meanwhile, make a commitment to yourself, the earth and your fellow co-op members by bringing reusable bags for shopping. If we can reduce plastic bag usage, the Wedge's bottom line will go down, making your store more profitable and environmentally friendly at the same time.

written by Barth Anderson
reposted from wedge.coop

Veriditas Botanicals: Veriditas Botanicals: Local Therapeutics

While many people in the city are focusing on eating locally this month, why not take it one step further and promote your health and wellness with therapeutic products made by local companies? This month, Wedge Worldwide will be featuring Veriditas Botanicals essential oils, a company owned and operated by locally-grown herbalist and aromatherapist, Melissa Farris.

Veriditas Botanicals offers pure, therapeutic grade, organic essential oils imported directly from their producers worldwide. Their close relationships with internationally known essential oil distilleries allows them to provide these oils at affordable prices. These organic essential oils are produced with the intention of being used for their healing properties. It is our privilege to bring them to you with the love and regard in which they were grown. Come to the Wedge and smell the difference. Once you've tried Veriditas, you'll never go back.

Why Choose Therapeutic Grade?

Most essential oils on the marketplace are traded through distributors or brokers and pass through many hands before reaching a retail store. These oils are often adulterated with substances that "boost" or "extend" one or more of the fragrant properties in the oil. One liter of pure, organic Lavender is sold for around $300. On the other hand, a liter of synthetic or adulterated oil is sold from $10 to $60. One can see why boosting and extending a true oil to increase profit margins might be a seductive choice. Adulterated oils can also cause short term side effects such as rashes, burning or other irritations. It is unknown what long term effects synthetically treated oils have on human physiology.

Veriditas offers only pure therapeutic grade essential oils, shipped directly from the producers that grow and distill them organically. This direct relationship allows them to offer essential oils that you and your nose can trust.

Why Choose Organic?

When an essential oil is labeled "organic," this certification ensures that the plants were farmed, harvested, distilled and distributed according to organic methods. Following organic farming methods ensures that oils are free of pesticides, synthetics and adulterants.

written by Wedge Co-op HBC staff

reposted from wedge.coop

What's the big idea?

Wedge Worldwide puts a lot of thought into the types of products we carry and why we carry them. The decisions we make are laid out in our buying practices. They reflect our commitment to the following big ideas:

• Eco-Friendly and Natural Products
• Organics
• Fair Trade
• Social Responsibility
• Local Products
• Recycled Materials and Products

We try to think about these things, so that you do not have to worry about the products as you browse (shop) our website. We are absolutely commited to each and every one of these big ideas in order to lessen the impact that our products have on the planet. Check out our icons, which are designed to help navigate and easily recognize which of these guidelines each product meets.

We also have separate and possibly even more strict guidelines for our Natural Body Care products. Check out Wedge Worldwide's Body Care guidelines on our website. We also layout information for you regarding the majority of our body care vendors, letting you know who you are buying the products from and how each company functions as socially conscious companies in the sometimes bleak world of body care products.

There are many things to consider as consumers and we hope that our exacting standards help make the process a bit easier.

written by Jessie

Dr. Bronner's Fair Shake Program

Wedge Worldwide loves Dr. Bronner's! They are an amazing example of an ethical, green company that is committed to doing good in the world. And their all-natural body care products are amazing! Their companies founder Dr. Bronner (pictured above) believed "constructive capitalism is where you share the profit with others and the earth from which you made it!" The company's Fair Shake Program, which gives assistance to individuals who have just been released from prison, is a great example of this constructive capitalism.

Dr. Bronner's website shares the following information on this program:

Every year over 600,000 people are released from prison. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, over 95% of all state prisoners will again rejoin us in society. Sadly, however, less than three years after leaving prison, nearly 70% of them will return. For many former inmates, walking away from prison does not mean the punishment is over. On this side of the fence, they are faced with overwhelming challenges, including:

Finding employment
Securing housing
Paying restitution or fines
Re-developing relationships
Maintaining self-confidence and a positive outlook

We all need hope and opportunity to succeed. Formerly-incarcerated people are among the most stigmatized and least regarded segments of our population. Since they often lack ways to prove pro-social ambitions, employers, property managers and neighbors are justifiably skeptical of their intent. When they are shunned by communities, their chances of staying out of prison are further reduced. Desperation then leads to poor decisions and increased risk.

Fair Shake has created a non-traditional re-entry and reintegration program. They offer reflections and exercises in the following areas:

Employee Training
Critical Thinking
Relationships
Citizenship

HealthFair Shake offers these studies through a variety of educational formats, including a self-guided web site simulation program, in-prison and in-community workshops, printed materials and their web site. A handy re-entry tool kit is also available to anyone who is incarcerated, whether or not they participate in the program. The Fair Shake Web site is available to former inmates, families, employers, property managers and community members. Formerly-incarcerated people will be able to create a personal web page and an email address to encourage communication and networking and offer a place to present information to potential employers, family and property managers.

People who break the law need a "time out" to understand the gravity of their crime, reconsider their role as a member of our society and plan their return to the community. Once they have served their sentence deemed a fair punishment for their crime, formerly-incarcerated people should be able to make amends and get on with their lives in a productive and peaceful manner.

As taxpayers, we are all investors in corrections, and a 32% success rate is simply unacceptable — considering both our safety and the return on our investment (ROI). A reasonable ROI will be realized when we slow the revolving door and cease to repeatedly warehouse the same people. Only then will we truly become "tough on crime."

So, supporting re-entry programs will produce important and tangible results:

Increase public safety
Build stronger communities
Encourage accountability and civic responsibility

written by Shannon

Fair Trade Jewelry From Far Fetched

We've recently added several new items from one of our favorite jewelry vendors, Far Fetched, to Wedge Worldwide. Far Fetched is a great example of a company that practices Fair Trade principles in their business, and we are impressed with the relationship they have with their employees (pictured above) who produce their wares. By aiding and supporting the individuals who work for them, they in turn receive high quality, wonderfully crafted jewelry pieces from a dedicated and talented group of artisans.

Their sister company is located in Taxco, Mexico. Taxco has been renowned worldwide for silversmithing since the 1500's. Their company is located in the heart of the artisan community, with winding cobblestone streets and red tile roofs. Our vendor works intimately with 45 small, independent artisan workshops, ranging in size from one to eight people. Some of these artisans have been with them for over 20 years, and our vendor is committed to their livelihoods and preserving the traditions of silversmithing for their children.

Listed below are just some of the ways that that Far Fetched assists their suppliers:

Central shop facility- Far Fetched provides a workshop in their Taxco office that is used daily by their suppliers, at no charge. It’s outfitted with equipment and tooling that is not typically available to small shops. They also offer equipment consignment, so some of these tools can be used in the artisan’s own workshops.

Technical support-Free workshops are offered to introduce new techniques and tools, address safety considerations and discuss production issues.

Interest free loans- Far Fetched offers interest free loans to help their suppliers invest in their own businesses and for personal uses.

No middleman-Wedge Worldwide's vendor eliminates the cost of the middleman, which allows the artisan to earn more money .

Education fund-They have been working on ways to give rewards to the artisan’s children when they get good grades in school.

Daily workshop supervision-A dedicated person visits the workshops of the artisans daily to help prioritize work, check quality, problem solve production, and discuss seasonal demand.

Open Door Policy- Far Fetched is interested in long-term relationships with their suppliers. For this reason, artisans have access to everyone within their organization. Far Fetched recognizes that they have a symbiotic relationship with the artisan community, and they strive to keep the exchange of ideas flowing in both directions.

Stop by and visit us again soon at wedgeworldwide.coop because we are in the process of adding even more fun jewelry from this outstanding company!

written by Shannon

Youth Enhancing Facial Care Formulas

Interested in helping your skin look vibrant and youthful? Wedge Worldwide would love to tell you about a few special facial care products from Dr. Hauschka that will bring out the beauty in your skin. Hauschka's Firming Mask is an intensive mask that hydrates and deeply nurtures the skin (the ideal thing for lack luster, end-of-winter-complexions). Personally, I also relish using this mask as a facial moisturizer on days when I'd like to look my best. Firming Mask does an amazing job at temporarily diminishing puffiness, and it softens fine lines and wrinkles. Not only will you look fantastic, you'll also be strengthening the collagen and elastin in your skin thereby supporting it's overall resilience! Firming Mask is gentle, doesn't irritate my sensitive skin and tightens my pores as it moisturizes.

Luckily for us, Hauschka, in their infinite wisdom, has also developed a moisturizer specifically for toning the delicate eye area. Their Daily Revitalizing Eye Cream contains pineapple fruit extract, which is not only rich in vitamins and minerals, but also smoothes wrinkles and fine lines. This formula deeply hydrates and is absorbed quickly and completely, so there is no need to worry about eyeliner or mascara smearing.

Firming Mask and Daily Revitalizing Eye Cream are an excellent choice for those with mature skin, but women and men of any age can happily enjoy their benefits! Wedge Worldwide is committed to offering the purest, highest quality, all natural body care available. The facial and body care items from Hauschka are a great example of what we look for in the products that we carry. Hauschka's manufacturer WALA Heilmittel has been working with healing plant and mineral extracts since the 1940s. Their thirty-five years of pioneering work in holistic esthetics have allowed them to create the purest, most effective natural skin care preparations available. Dr. Hauschka carefully chooses every plant and mineral ingredient that goes into their products based on its individual effects and the way it interacts with other ingredients. Finding ecologically and ethically sound sources for their raw ingredients is also important to this forward thinking company.

written by Shannon

New Locally Made Jewelry

Wedge Worldwide loves to carry items produced by talented artist, crafts people and excellent vendors from our home region of Minnesota and/or one of our neighboring states. Buying locally helps support our community and saves on the amount of fossil fuels used in delivering merchandise.

One of our all-time-favorite local artists that we feature on our website is Robin Rifé, an amazingly gifted jeweler who makes one-of-a-kind pieces by hand. Robin lives and works in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but travels extensively to gather beautiful and exotic material that she later fashions into incredible necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Influenced by the traditional tribal designs of Native Americans and the indigenous peoples of Africa, Nepal, Thailand, and China, Robin is able to create high quality classic pieces with an ethnic feel and displays an exquisite sensibility in her use and combination of materials.

Take a look at some of the incredible items by Robin that we have recently added on Wedge Worldwide, like this beautiful necklace made with Chinese turquoise and Balinese silver, the fresh water pearls necklace with a sweet Indian pendant or these lovely faceted carnelian teardrop earrings. Go directly to the Robin Rifé section in the Fair Trade Jewelry area on our site to see all of her available pieces!

Free Books For Blog Readers!

3-25-08 Please Note: Thanks to all our blog readers for your interest, but the promo has now ended.

We will be offering a free copy of the book Prescription for Nutritional Healing to the next six blog readers who place an order through Wedge Worldwide! When you are in the checkout pages simply enter the code: blogpromo in the comments box and we will ship this handy reference guide with your order! With more than five million copies sold, Prescription for Nutritional Healing is the nation's number one-bestselling guide to holistic health. It normally retails for $23.95. Our employees at the Wedge use it all the time!

For ten years and more, people interested in alternative healing and preventive therapies have relied on this invaluable reference as a guide to improve health through nutrition and supplementation, avoiding traditional drug therapies. Part One lists and explains the various types of nutrients, food supplements, and herbs found in health food and drug stores. Part Two describes more than 250 common disorders, from acne to yeast infection, arranged conveniently in alphabetical order, and identifies the supplements that can be used to combat the conditions. Part Three is a guide to alternative remedies and therapies that can be used in conjunction with a nutritional program. In addition, self-diagnostic tests throughout the book offer in-depth coverage of a wide variety of topics.

Whether you are looking for relief from a particular ailment or simply wish to maintain optimum health, Prescription for Nutritional Healing quickly and easily provides an abundance of information to design a complete nutritional program.

Thanks for shopping with Wedge Worldwide and enjoy staying healthy with the aid of this great book!

Baby Body Care Products With Fair Trade Calendula

Wedge Worldwide loves Weleda, a German company that produces extremely clean and natural body care products, and we are in the process of bringing in some of their new personal care items! We wanted to highlight a few of our favorites: the Calendula Baby Shampoo and Body Wash (great for adults too!) and the Baby Starter Kit, which is filled with an array of wonderful calendula products for baby. All Weleda Baby Care formulas have been developed with the assistance of physicians and midwives so you can rest assured that these products are a gentle and wholesome choice for your little ones.

These products are a great way to care for your baby or child's ultra-sensitive skin. As a baby develops, so does the protective layer on his or her skin. An infant's skin is five times thinner than an adult's, making it especially sensitive to irritation and environmental influences. Weleda Baby Care helps to wrap a child in a layer of warmth and protection, supporting healthy and harmonious development.

Both of these items are made with Fair Trade calendula flowers! Commonly referred to as marigold, calendula is an annual herb from the sunflower family. These flowers blossom under intensely warm sunlight. This vitality is captured in Weleda's fresh-from-the-garden, soothing and healing formulations. Native to central, eastern and southern Europe, calendula is made up of single, yellow to bright orange colored flowers containing caroteniods, flavonoids and essential oils. This gentle and nourishing botanical possesses powerful healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Approximately 800,00 biodynamic calendula flowers are hand-picked from the Weleda garden each year for the Weleda Baby Calendula Care formulations. Weleda's Medicinal Plant Garden in Germany is the largest biodynamic garden in Europe. Biodynamics is a holistic form of agriculture that takes into account everything from the cycles of the moon and the stars to the soil, plants, animals and people, with the ultimate goal of making each garden or farm a healthy self-sustaining ecosystem. Many people consider biodynamics to be a big step above organic products. As one of the pioneers of biodynamic agriculture, Weleda continues to develop and practice this holistic and uncontaminated method of farming. All ingredients are harvested according to the highest standards and under the strictest quality control guidelines. Located side-by-side with Weleda's production facilities, all plants can be picked and blended into tinctures that will be added to their products within the same day.

Some of the other Weleda baby care products Wedge Worldwide carries include calendula lotion, baby cream, diaper care and bar soap.

Safe, Earth-Friendly, Lead-Free Toys

Wedge Worldwide carries a wide selection of fun, non-toxic toys. Recently, we have brought in even more heirloom quality toys with finishes that are safe for little ones; like our beautifully hand-made Five Piece Train Set. The locomotive, passenger car, cargo car, tank car and caboose can all be taken apart and reconnected in a variety of configurations that will provide hours of creative play. Another great new item is the super cute Little Rollie Vehicle Set. These smooth rolling, durably designed toys are well-suited for active play. Both the Train Set and the Vehicle Set come in all natural wood tones that are finished with a food-grade, non-toxic, natural oil. Our vendor tries to use reclaimed wood whenever possible, and 100 percent of the electricity that runs their shop comes from wind and/or solar energy!

Other new playthings at Wedge Worldwide include the colorful and mesmerizing Domino Race game by the German Toy company HABA. This game comes with a wide assortment of bright dominoes, animal-shaped dominoes, domino bridges and even a little bell that rings when dominoes under it are knocked over. We have to admit that the adults in our office here were very tempted to play with this! Also from HABA, we carry the Ball Track Construction Set, an elaborate block set that allows you to build your own tracks for marbles to wind their way through, and the Colored Peg Set, a small, travel-ready game that encourages the development of fine motor skills in a playful way.

HABA products meet the strict requirements of the European Safety-Standard for toys. Their toys are regularly tested, and the company must continually pass European certification guidelines that guarantee their toys are of high quality, meet safety standards and fulfill environmental guidelines. HABA is the first toy producer in Germany to have passed the audit for ecological friendliness, and they are deeply committed to actively pursuing further environmental protection throughout every stage of production. All HABA items offered through Wedge Worldwide are produced in Germany using first class non-toxic varnishes and colored stains that never chip or peel. The materials they use for colored surface treatment of toys and their clear varnishes are fundamentally water-based and therefore, do not contain any harmful solvents.

We're proud to be your online source for eco-friendly, fairly made, safe toys!

Hot Off the Presses: Cookbook That Supports Flood Relief for Local Organic Farmers

Wedge Worldwide has recently added to its selection an excellent new cookbook that was put out by one of our favorite local organic farms. Tastes from Valley to Bluff: The Featherstone Valley Cookbook by Mi Ae Lipe, offers a collection of recipes that beautifully captures the flavors of Featherstone Farm while offering practical info on storing and preparing fresh organic vegetables.

Arranged by season, Tastes contains nearly 300 delicious ethnic and traditional recipes, two-thirds of which are vegetarian or vegan. Far more than just a cookbook, Tastes also features fun trivia, witty quotations, beautiful illustrations and many informative, thought-provoking articles about farm life, crop-specific topics and the environmental and nutritional advantages of growing and eating organically. Whether you are a CSA (community supported agriculture) subscriber, a farmers market denizen or simply a home cook curious about what to do with fresh produce, you will truly enjoy and constantly use this book.

Part of a good cause, a portion of the cookbook's proceeds will go toward the Sow the Seeds Fund. In August 2007, many farms in southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin, including Featherstone, were in ruins after storms and heavy flooding devestated the area. Shortly thereafter, a relief fund was started to help natural foods farmers rebuild. The Sow the Seeds Fund was able to raise and distribute over $385,000 for flood relief, providing assistance to more than 30 farms that applied to the fund. Further, your purchase will do even more to help organic farmers because the Wedge will also donate all profits from the cookbook.

Check out a review of the book on our brick and mortar store's website: www.wedge.coop