What People Want from Wedge Worldwide

Whether or not the items on the list are surprising to others, it can be fascinating to see what people want. Here is a list of items that Wedge Worldwide shoppers seem to be most interested in:

1. Fair Trade Jewelry: Our fair trade jewelry is brought to us from only a few select vendors, but our selection is quite thorough (and always improving). People seem to appreciate our Minneapolis-based artist, Robin Rifé and our jewelry from Far Fetched.

2. Bamboo Disposable Plates & Utensils: They are a wonderful and attractive alternative to standard disposable paper plates made from trees that take many years to grow. These products were made from 100% certified organic bamboo! Bamboo truly is a remarkable renewable resource. Those of us who have used the plates have found that they actually hold up to being used many times. On a related note, we also have biocompostable corn-based utensils available.
   

3. Reusable Bags: Reusable 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. We have a variety of options available. Popular choices include our Hemp Shopping Bag, ChicoBags, and Fair Trade Recycled Market Bag. Check out all of our reusable bags here.

4. Recycled Rugs: Our current rug selection consists mainly of a recycled plastic or cotton rugs. The fair trade recycled rugs are made from post-consumer recycled plastic. They make a stylish eco-friendly addition to any home, but is also durable enough for outdoor use. Our cotton rugs are made with recycled materials, which creates a colorful, soft rug while extending the useful life of the components.

5. Water Bottles: Metal water bottles are 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 two main lines that Wedge Worldwide is carrying are: Klean Kanteen and Sigg water bottles. However, check back soon because we are in the process of adding an additional line to the mix.

6. Alaffia Body Care Products: Alaffia has chosen to empower communities in Africa through promoting indigenous African natural resources that are culturally, spiritually, economically, and ecologically sustainable. Traditionally handcrafted shea butter fits these criteria. It is a renewable resource of African origin; shea trees are wild, requiring no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Furthermore, it is an integral part of many savanna communities and, consequently, there is a wealth of local and traditional knowledge of making shea butter. This fair trade handcrafted shea butter is also produced by workers who belong to cooperatives, bringing income to and empowering African communities. They are a wonderful company and their products never cease to amaze us at Wedge Worldwide. Check them out!

Along with the top six, there are a few other items/vendors that deserve, at least, an honorable mention. So here they are: our Cookware items, Bambu products, Gusanito® Brand Worm Factory, and our Green Leaf Dinnerware.

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

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

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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.

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.

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

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

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!

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.

Celebrate the Holidays With Eco-Friendly Gifts

The final countdown towards the holidays has begun! Are you still looking for a huge variety of beautiful eco-friendly gifts to choose from? Then surf on in; Wedge Worldwide has some truly wonderful ideas for you!

Organic gourmet food treats make a great gift option for anyone. Try our brand new Fair Trade chocolate bars and tea in pretty tea tins from Equal Exchange. We brought in the their yummy hot chocolate too!

Sure to please a variety of folks on your list are the gorgeously scented Juniper Ridge Wild Herb Sachets made from ethically wild-harvested plant trimmings. The wonderful Christmas-tree-smell of the Christmas Fir Sachet is perfect for the holidays. We also highly recommend Juniper Ridge's amazing smelling soap and delicious wild-harvested teas.

In search of just the right thing for the ultra-cool hipster in your life? Check out our new Urban Messenger Bag made from organic cotton and hemp. A chic and eco-conscious choice for stylish women is our Street Purse, available in an assortment of vibrant colors and of course, black. By the way, we think the Anthology Cardigan, made from organic cotton and bamboo, looks great with the Street Purse.

Not sure what to get for Mom? How about a fun Fair Trade ring like the one that states, “If you can dream it you can do it!” Or take a peak at our entire Fair Trade jewelry selection for other fabulous options. Mom might also like something from our natural body care section like the refreshing Lemon Body Wash by Dr. Hauschka, or perhaps something from our popular kitchen and dining area like the colorful, extra large salad bowls made from organic bamboo. These bowls are great for serving large tossed salads, and you can even get a sleek pair of bamboo salad servers to go with it.

Or how about some fantastic organic bulk tea? It's the gift that keeps on giving, by providing the recipient with warming, fragrant cups of tea long after the holidays are over. Wedge Worldwide also carries a expansive assortment of teaware and tea accessories. We have everything from the perfect brew baskets for loose-leaf tea to imaginative tea cups and tea pots. A few favorites are our Green Leaf Tea Cups and the Calligraphy Tea Pot Set.

Happy Holidays!

New E-Gift Certificates Available at Wedge Worldwide

We are so excited to announce that Wedge Worldwide now offers e-gift certificates! Would you love to give gifts this holiday season that support Fair Trade and tread lightly on the earth but aren't quite sure what to get for that special someone? Now it's possible to complete your holiday shopping in minutes while getting everyone on your list the perfect gift.

Visit us at wedgeworldwide.coop and click the e-gift certificate link on our front page. Here you can view the few easy steps you can take to quickly and easily buy a Wedge Worldwide e-gift certificate for your friends and loved ones. With just a couple clicks of the mouse a colorful gift certificate email will be sent to the lucky recipient.

E-gift certificates are available in amounts from ten to two hundred dollars so you can select an amount that supports any level of shopping; from a gourmet treat to natural body care products to the luxurious experience of selecting a variety of products.

At Wedge Wordlwide, we have carefully selected only the finest eco-friendly and Fair Trade products available. We also support businesses that are socially responsible. Many of the companies and artists we work with share a portion of their profits with their communities and give aid to worthy causes such as the environment. Anyone on your list is sure to be delighted by shopping our diverse, fun and visually appealing web site where they can feel good about the causes their purchases support. Socially conscious holiday shopping has never been easier this year on Wedge Worldwide!

Fair Trade Holiday Gift Ideas

What better way is there to share the good will of the holiday season than by giving a Fair Trade gift? Here at Wedge Worldwide we make a concerted effort to locate and offer a wide variety of high quality Fair Trade items. Two important aspects of Fair Trade are that workers and artisans who make a product are paid a living wage for their craft and work under safe conditions. So this year you can enjoy gift giving even more knowing that your purchase is supporting and helping the workers who made it.

Allow us to offer a few fun Fair Trade holiday gift suggestions!

We love these colorful and highly durable Messenger Bags made from recycled rice and feed bags. Each hand-crafted piece is unique! These bags provide a sustainable living to Cambodian weavers and producers, many of whom are female heads of households, disabled due to polio or landmine injury or young women pulled from brothels and taught a trade.

Or peruse our all time customer favorite products from Wedge Worldwide, our extensive Fair Trade Jewelry collection. We offer a variety of gorgeous and unique jewelry from across the globe, and also stunning hand-made pieces by local artist, Robin Rifé.

Our Fair Trade Silk and Velvet Scarves are great items for moms and the women in your life. Wedge Worldwide also offers a variety of lovely products made with pure silk like scarves, sumptuous silk throws and velvet jackets.

We have a variety of lead-free, safe and ecologically sound toys for kids. Take a gander at some of our newer Fair Trade Wooden Play Sets and Puzzles made from reclaimed rubber wood.


A few distinctive items that would fit perfectly in any natural home setting are our Fair Trade Salt Crystal Lamps that give off a soothing warm glow while releasing healthy negative ions. Our Salt Lamps are available in a variety of sizes. We also carry the Planet Lamp, a polished, symmetrical salt crystal.

These are just a few of the Fair Trade items that we carry. Stop by and start planning for your holiday shopping today. Let us wrap your presents with pretty, recycled materials and ship them directly to that special person on your list. And another exciting option is coming soon, look for Wedge Worldwide egift certificates this November!

Delicious Fair Trade Organic Chocolate

A great new set of products that we have just brought in at Wedge Worldwide are a variety of super yummy chocolate bars from Theo Chocolates. Theo produces premium, organic, Fair Trade and specialty chocolate. Their founder, Joseph Whinney, pioneered the manufacture and supply of organic chocolate products as the first importer of organic cocoa beans into North America in 1994. Over a decade later, Theo is proud to be the only roaster of organic cocoa beans and the first roaster of Fair Trade certified cocoa beans in the United States. All of their ingredients are carefully selected to ensure they meet their standards for social and environmental responsibility. There's a photo of some of the swell folks from Theo pictured in their Seattle based factory above.

We love the ultra cute illustrations that are different for each flavor! But even more important is how they taste. Theo was generous enough to send us a gigantic box of chocolate samples so everyone here in our office has had the luxury of fully acquainting themselves with all the flavors and deciding on our own personal favorites. Here is a brief run down of the Phinney bar varieties based on our taste tests:

•Nib Brittle and Dark Chocolate Bar- Those who love cocoa nibs will really like this bar. It has a satisfying crunch to it and a pleasant dark, mildly bitter taste. The 65% cacao content packs an enjoyable, but not over powering, punch. It makes my heart beat a little faster with dark chocolate joy.

•Chai Tea Chocolate Bar- Normally I'm much more of a dark chocolate fan, but the milk chocolate Phinney bars really won me over! This unusual and delightful milk chocolate bar is highly enjoyable. Who knew that chai tea and chocolate went so well together? I love the strong hints of cinnamon and milder notes of ginger.

•Bread and Chocolate Bar- This bar is a true work of art! A creative pairing of dark chocolate, buttery bread crumbs and a pinch of sea salt. I was skeptical at first but was pleasantly surprised. It's delicious! Many of my co-workers were a fan of this flavor.

•Coconut Curry and Milk Chocolate Bar- It's hard to choose but I think that this flavor is my absolute favorite. I thought it might be kind of funny to put chocolate and curry together but the magical people at Theo have married a perfect blend of delectable tastes in this bar. The spicy curry provides a lovely, gentle background for the delicious toasted coconut that can sometimes be found throughout the bar in tiny little chewy slivers. Yum, yum, yum.

•Vanilla and Milk Chocolate Bar- A friendly, smooth, melt-in-your-mouth bar with satisfying over tones of real Madagascar organic vanilla beans.

I'm already planning on including Theo chocolate bars in my own holiday gift packages that I'll be sending out through Wedge Worldwide this season. Your friends and relatives are sure to enjoy these chocolates but don't forget to treat yourself too!

Wedge Worldwide Talks With One Of the Leaders In the Fair Trade Body Care Movement

Olowo-n'djo Tchala, the founder of Alaffia was in town recently to speak with several of the food co-ops in the Twin Cities area about the philosophy behind the great body care products his company produces. Olowo-n'djo is a tall, engaging, warm-hearted man who's kindness and enthusiasm are contagious. His generosity even extended to cooking us all a traditional African meal that was just delicious!

When Olowo-n'djo was developing Alaffia, he had a big vision. He sought a way to support those living in Togo, Africa, a place where he himself grew up in poverty, that would be culturally, spiritually, economically and ecologically sustainable, all while improving the community. Alaffia is the Fair Trade enterprise that Olowo-n'djo, along with his wife Rose, developed to do just this.

Even though many Africans live in a state of abject poverty, their continent is abundant in natural resources. Olowo-n'djo decided that shea butter was the answer that he was looking for. As he states on his website,"(Shea) is a renewable resource of African origin; shea trees are wild, requiring no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Furthermore, it is an integral part of many savanna communities and, consequently, there is a wealth of local and traditional knowledge of making shea butter." In fact, Olowo-n'djo grew up collecting shea nuts when he was a child in order to make extra money for his family, so he learned through personal experience that collecting shea nuts is very labor intensive. Producing 1 kg of handcrafted shea butter takes twenty to thirty hours of work. Shea trees can be five to ten miles apart from each other which can add up to a lot of walking to gather nuts. Once the nuts are collected, they are pounded, ground, whipped and clarified over low heat by hand. Alaffia uses traditional extraction processes for their shea butter products, unlike many other commercial shea butters made with hexanes or other petroleum products.

Olowo-n'djo spoke with us about some of the grim difficulties that his fellow Africans grapple with on a daily basis. The life expectancy in Africa is 41 years of age and 50% of the people there survive on $1 per day. Many suffer from AIDS and other devastating illnesses, and have difficulty receiving the health care that they need. He also told us that deforestation has been a large problem, having lost 5.3 million hectares in the 1990's for example. Olowo-n'djo believes poverty is the true cause of these limitations. Fair Trade offers solutions by paying fair wages and being environmentally responsible. In addition, Alaffia and many other companies who are part of the Fair Trade Federation are fully accountable organizations; all of their books and profit information are easily accessible to the public.

Encountering someone like Olowo-n'djo and a great organization such as Alaffia gives me hope for the future. Alaffia not only provides Fair Trade employment for women in West Africa they are also involved in a whole slew of community empowerment projects that support African mothers and school children, and the environment. Like the African school children pictured to the left who received new school desks from Alaffia. Read more about Alaffia and their community projects here. Stop on in to Wedge Worldwide to experience the divineness of their hand-made shea butter or check out all of the great Alaffia products that include hand, face and body lotions, a variety of delicious soaps, shampoos and more. Olowo-n'djo stated during his talk that if all of the products that come from Africa were produced under Fair Trade guidelines, eventually Africa would not need financial assistance from other countries and could build a vibrant economy and stable, healthy way of life for its people. Bring this dream one step closer to reality by supporting Alaffia!

A Cool Earth-Friendly Way to Tote Your Leftovers and Lunch!

Do you love going out to eat but feel a bit depressed at the thought of bringing home your leftovers in ozone-depleting styrofoam containers? Never fear because we have a brilliant solution for you. Take a gander at the Stainless Steel Food Container made by To-Go-Ware available at Wedge Worldwide. It's made up of two stackable units with removable lids (one of the lids even functions as a plate!) that all fit snugly together and snap in place with a clamp by the carrying handle. This food carrier is a well-built, highly durable item that could easily last a lifetime.

I have one that I am quite fond of using for carrying my lunch to work. My To-Go-Ware container moves easily between the fridge, the car, work and the sink or dishwasher. And after all the use its been through, it's never picked up a dent or scratch. If truth be told, one of my favorite things about it besides its superb function and construction is that it is as cute as can be. Other than my Charlie's Angels lunch box that I had when I was in grade school, this is the most stylish step beyond brown-bagging-it that I've found. For me, it is also a total bonus that this carrier is plastic-free, so I am safe from the possibility of unwanted substances leaching into my food.

As luck would have it we also carry a sustainable utensil set that is perfect for lunches, travel or picnics in the great outdoors. Our Fair Trade Bamboo Utensil Set is made from earth-friendly materials, is heat and stain resistant, doesn't absorb flavors and are finished with all-natural, food-safe wood oil. These utensils come in a handy hand-woven Fair Trade fabric carrier that is produced by a woman's co-op in the Thai-Burma region.

So, take a tip from us and bid farewell to those old-school brown bags and Styrofoam and plastic containers that will quickly end up in the recycling bin or even worse, a landfill. Be the first cool kid on your block to be using eco-friendly options!

How To Use Essential Oil Of Lavender

We have some great new products for you to check out! Wedge Worldwide is excited to offer excellent, high-quality essential oils from a great company right from our own backyard.

Minneapolis native Melissa Farris, pictured to the left, is a certified herbalist and aromatherapist who started her first company, Veriditas Botanicals in 1995. Melissa holds the distinction of being the first herbalist to bring organic essential oils to the marketplace and refuses to sell endangered species. Veriditas Botanicals offers pure, therapeutic grade, organic essential oils imported directly from their producers worldwide. Their close relationships with internationally known essential oil distilleries allow them to offer excellent oils produced with fair labor practices at affordable prices. Veriditas has a deep respect for their growers and producers because they make the highest quality medicinal essential oils offered in the world. These organic essential oils are produced with the intention of being used for their healing properties. Veriditas brings them to you with the love and regard in which they were grown.

True Lavender essential oil is the panacea of aromatherapy. Because it is used for so many different ailments, it is considered to be a pocket-sized first aid kit. Keeping a bottle of Lavender is a definite must in your home pharmacy, car or workplace. Reliable, safe and great smelling, this strong oil is gentle enough to be used "neat" or undiluted, directly on the skin.

Melissa offered us some tips on how to use Lavendar Angustifolia therapeutically. A few recipes call for Peppermint, Lemon and Tea Tree essential oils in addition to lavender, but don't worry, Wedge Worldwide carries these oils as well.

How does Lavender work?
Applied topically, True Lavender works in the following ways:
• Analgesic - painkiller
• Anti-inflammatory - reduces swelling, redness or inflammation
• Vulnerary - promotes healing
• Anti-anxiety - prevents and relieves anxiety Indications & Treatments
*Use only organic, therapeutic grade, Lavendula angustifolia

How to use Lavender:
•Sunburns - Apply Lavender to the area. Cover lightly with a high quality lotion and repeat up to 4 times per day.
•Pimples/Acne - Apply 1 drop Lavender per pimple/small acne area. Note: Essential oils are drying. Therefore, if skin is dry, apply lotion after using these essential oils undiluted on the skin.
•Natural Deodorant - Place 1-4 drops of Lavender under each arm.
•Sore Throat & Sore Gums - Lavender is used for sore throat, sore gums, canker sores/mouth ulcers, etc. Rub 1-3 drops of Lavender on sore area with 2 drops of Tea Tree if there are signs of infection.
•Headaches - Try applying 4 drops of Lavender and 2 drops of Peppermint to the back of the neck and head. If you are sensitive to oils, add them to a TBSP of lotion or carrier oil.
•Insect Bites CURE - Apply 1 drop of Lavender to each bite. Itching and/or stinging should cease immediately. Normally, you will only need one application for mosquito bites, but several for spider or other insect bites.
•Travel - To help you stay well when traveling on an airplane, subway, bus, etc. place 5 drops of Lavender, 2 drops Lemon and 2 drops Peppermint on a handkerchief and do 5 inhalations when needed. Upon arrival at a hotel, sprinkle room and bed with Lavender as a great disinfectant.

Also, use oils in tub or shower to encourage air purification and relaxation.
•The Bath - Use 5-25 drops of essential oil of Lavender per tub of bathwater.
•Direct Application - Rub Lavender on body and immerse into bath.
•Milk Bath - Add Lavender to 1 cup of full fat milk. Stir. Add to bath water.
•Muscle Relaxant & Nervous System Tonic - Add to hot bathwater with 4 cups Epsom salts for magnesium benefits. Soak for at least 20 minutes.
•Footbath - Place 5 drops of Lavender on each foot and rub vigorously. Emerge feet into basin filled with hot water. Option - switch from hot to cold water for more stimulation.

Contraindications - If swelling, redness or irritation occurs, discontinue use. If you have sensitive skin, try 1 drop of essential oil on the inner arm and monitor effects for 24 hours. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use internally. Keep away from eyes and mucous membranes. Do not use essential oils undiluted or in large doses. Use with caution while pregnant or nursing. GRAS - Generally regarded as safe.

We hope you have fun immersing yourself in the wonderful healing benefits of lavender! For more great information on how to use and enjoy essential oils we highly recommend the book, Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art.

Organic Tea Anyone?

I’m not a tea aficionado, by any means, but I do go through tea jags, and when I do, I drink tea from my dragonfly tea mug and my dragonfly tea mug alone.

Why? Because I love my dragonfly tea mug with a deep and irrational passion. I love the color. The weight of it. The little dragonfly on the side. And just so you don’t think I’m being flighty, the ceramic basket is perfect for drinking bulk teas and is much easier to deal with than a tea ball or a tea spoon, the lid (with dragonfly on it!) keeps the water hot during the duration of my tea’s steeping, and I can place the basket holding the wet tea on that upturned dragonfly lid when I’m ready to drink.

Yes, as a matter of fact, I really have thought about this.

My love of this mug has taught me a bit about tea, in our time together, so I thought I would share the teas best sipped from your own dragonfly tea mug:

* Organic White Peony Tea - White tea is perfect for that mellow lift at the end of the day, when the kids are still whipping along at light speed and I’m dragging behind in the groggy slow motion of adulthood. For me, anything stronger than white tea, and my brain is scurrying around all night like a hamster on amphetamines, so this one is perfect. Plus, I really love the clean, rosy aftertaste of this blend (I’m also a fan of the organic silver needle).

* Organic Jasmine Pearl Green Tea - I break out this very special tea when special guests and good friends come over (but no one drinks from the dragonfly tea mug but me!). Jasmine tea puts a nice bounce in everyone’s step after a big feast, and the pearls are just plain pretty.

* Organic Jamaican Red Bush Rooibos - I’m not a fan of herbal tea. I don’t dislike it, but, as a caffeine-freak, it’s just not my first choice. Seriously, though, just look at this blend pictured to the left. It’s a pleasure to have this tea in the house. Earthy, tobacco-like rooibos offset by fruitier, giddier flavors like hibiscus and tangerine. Very nice.

I suppose I should balance this off with a discussion of coffee, but frankly, the dragonfly tea mug and I cannot serve two masters…

It's In The Bag- One Of Many Available On Wedge Worldwide

How Do Smart Shoppers Shop?

They shop with a sturdy basket, that’s what they do, especially if they’re so smart that they shop farmers markets for fresh produce. Remember: Farmers rarely package or wrap their products, so baskets like these Fair Trade Market Baskets and Handle Baskets work best.Why? The flat bottom spreads the impact across the bottom of the basket so you can carry more local eggplants per square inch in it. Also? Sturdy handles. You could put big, fat muskmelons in that basket and it wouldn’t break on you.

And you thought this blog was just another pretty face. ;)

Speaking of pretty faces, I once dated a woman in college who stole a bag like this one from me.

It was black, I kept a journal and my favorite pen in the pen compartment, and the bag hung always on my shoulder like a great, loyal friend – unlike a certain, thieving ex I could mention. But I digress. Anyway, I think the above courier bag is the one that will replace my long lost bag of yore. Why? It has all the cool little zippered pockets and compartments I adore, it’s hemp, it comes in good, bold colors like “faded rose” and “oasis” AND it comes from Transylvania. I mean, are you kidding me? Transylvania? A black, eco-cool, sustainably-hip, hemp bag from the bleeding heart of Goth Country? Oh, yeah. That’s even better than the one I lost. May my ex burn with jealousy...

All right. One last bag for you, and, also, a bit of travel advice: When abroad, always have your passport in a cool carrier like this one. Not only does it keep a vital document neat and accessible, but it also distracts the person who’s checking it. While they should be examining your bags for the expensive goods that you somehow “forgot” to declare, instead, they’ll be thoroughly enticed by your passport bag, thinking to themselves, “Wow. Is that button made of real bone?” Want to go one step further? Combine the Crane passport carrier with the Crane jacket and you'll be a symphony of distractability.