Market to offer 'fair deal for all'
CHRISTMAS shoppers can buy gifts with a clear conscience when a fair trade market arrives in Ipswich this week.
Ipswich Fair Trade Expose organiser Pam McGann said there would be a wide range of gifts for sale.
"There will be a variety of stallholders, but all stalls will uphold the ethics of fair trade," Ms McGann said.
"Products will have been imported from Africa, Bangladesh, Thailand, Peru, and more."
Ms McGann said the market promoted an important message of socially-aware shopping.
"There are similar fair trade markets in Brisbane, but I think Ipswich people will support the movement equally well.
"Fair trade is about making products in an environment where there's no child abuse or child labour, that's environmentally conscious and where there's a value placed on workers and their safety.
"It's about ensuring the poorest of the poor are paid fairly."
The fair trade movement was growing, Ms McGann said.
"Awareness is certainly rising, and events like this prove that, and show it's a really positive trend," she said.
Ms McGann said the market would run from Friday evening to Sunday, giving people plenty of time to do all of their Christmas shopping.
"Prices will range from $1 to $100, and there should be something for everyone," she said.
"There'll be festive gifts, toys, Christmas decorations, jewellery, home decor, stationery, recycled items, baby clothing, and fair trade food products including tea, coffee and chocolate."
The Ipswich Fair Trade Expose will he held in Studio 188, at 188 Brisbane St, Ipswich.
It will open from 3pm to 8pm this Friday, 9am to 4pm Saturday and 9am to 3pm Sunday.
Refreshments will be available for purchase.
