Worldly Goods is a handcrafted artisan business located at 223 Main Street in Ames that is a fair trade and non-for-profit store. This year, they have been celebrating their 30th anniversary, with multiple events going on throughout the year.

Worldly Goods’ mission is to, “inspire social justice, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental resiliency by providing a marketplace for artisans of the world to earn a living wage, support their families and develop their communities.”

For anyone that doesn’t know, upon entering the store, there are countless handle-crafted, artisanal items to observe or purchase. From pottery, to clothing, to decor, to notebooks, there are trinkets everywhere in the store, made by artisans from all over the world.

In all reality, there are countless reasons to buy fair trade. But the Fair Trade Resource Network gives us ten specific reasons to buy fair trade. Here they are:

1. Buying fair trade means supporting healthy business practices, such as no sweat-shops and fair pay.

2. Fair trade promotes environmental sustainability by using materials found in nature that can be recycled.

3. It protects children by not allowing them to work, as well as protecting their right to getting an education, play and security.

4. It promotes workers who would otherwise not have as many business opportunities, or be able to gain business skills.

5. All of the food made in the fair trade system is safe, never using harsh chemicals.

6. It grows the communities of the artisans by making them money that they can invest in schools, housing, and healthcare.

7. It builds relationships with farmers around the world, allowing them access to materials and tools they would not otherwise get.

8. Fair trade products are unique to the artisans that create them, and the products reflect where they came from.

9. It builds sustainable communities for marginalized workers.

10. By purchasing fair trade products, you are bettering the lives of marginalized people.

“It helps people all over, not just get a hand out, but support their local economies. And it’s not unfair, in a sweatshop. Let’s say you’re supporting a person that’s working in a sweatshop, you’re not really helping them, you’re just causing them to have to work more hours to produce more things. Where here, you’re letting them produce more things, but in a safe working environment,”  store manager, Andrea Gronau said.

“They get paid fairly. They get taken care of. The women can take care of their kids while they’re working.”

The rest of the events yet to come this year for Worldly Goods’ 30th anniversary are:

• Aug. 27, 2017- Worldly Goods 2nd Annual Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle Market, 10 am – 4 pm, 200 Block of Main Street

• Oct. 8, 2017- Worldly Goods Past & Present Volunteer Celebration (Reservations Required, Please Contact the Store)