Fair Trade Friday is an organization that helps to empower women and battle poverty through dignified, sustainable industry (craftsmanship). They have three subscriptions to choose from that send fairly traded items from around the world: The Original Box, Bracelet of the Month, and Earrings of the Month. I have subscribed to the Earring of the Month box for years now, and I am really excited to have this opportunity to review the Original Box!
This review is of the $32.99 a month Fair Trade Friday Original Box.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Fair Trade Friday
The Subscription Box: Fair Trade Friday Original Box
The Cost: $32.99 per month + free shipping
The Products: 2-4 fairly traded global handicrafts
Ships to: the US
October 2018 Fair Trade Friday Original Box "Savor the Season" Review
This booklet is included every month, and it has nice details about the items and the artisans who created them. This month's theme is Savor the Season!
This little card was also included. It provides some detail about Fair Trade Friday and their parent organization, Mercy House.
This recipe for Honey Spice Green Tea was also included this month, and it looks good! I drink tea all the time, and I don't know if I would have thought of putting cayenne in it, but it actually sounds yummy to me.
Tumbler by The Batik Boutique, Malaysia - Listed Value $22
I love this travel mug! It is imprinted with the Fair Trade Friday grahic and it has not only a rubber lid, but also a rubber sleeve to keep from burning your hand. One of my husband's superpowers is losing travel mugs, so I immediately told him HANDS OFF this one. It holds about 12 ounces. This was made by The Batik Boutique, an organization in Malaysia that provides opportunities for training and earning a living wage to the impoverished.
Single Serve Coffee by Airship Coffee, Arkansas - Listed Value $3
OK, this went fast, haha. But it was delicious! My husband and I basically shared it and loved it. I think we are going to order more! It definitely has a sweetness to it, but it's not overpowering at all. It had a dark flavor without being either bitter or too acidic. It was a perfect cup! This comes from Airship Coffee, which is based in Arkansas, but which works with coffee farmers all over the world to source the finest fairly traded coffees available.
Scoop by Itza Wood, Guatemala - Retail Value $20
This wooden coffee scoop is just gorgeous! I love having it in my kitchen. Did you know the largest remaining tropical forest in Central America is in Guatemala? That's where the wood for this scoop comes from, and Itza Wood focuses on keeping it a sustainable practice so that the forest can be enjoyed in perpetuity. They also work to provide sustainable industry in a country that suffers from crushing poverty. What an awesome company!
Fugeelah Tea by Tea Bird Teas, Australia/Malaysia - Retail Value $5
This tea is really yummy and refreshing, if a hot tea can be called refreshing. I liked it a lot. It doesn't have that earthy aftertaste a lot of teas have. Tea Bird Teas are based out of Malaysia, but the teas are loose leaf organic teas from Australia, which is where the founders are from. The story is a little confusing, but Tea Bird Teas has partnered with Payong, an organization that helps to provide education to refugee children in Malaysia.
The Verdict: I am loving my subscription to the Fair Trade Friday Original Box! I love this month's theme! Everything about October screams hot beverage season. I drink both coffee and tea, so everything was just delightful. I can't decide if I like the tumbler or the scoop more! I also like all the information they provide to show how your subscription directly impacts the lives of others. It makes the subscription seem that much more special.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No. In order to receive the box of the month, you must subscribe before the 24th of the previous month.
Value Breakdown: This box cost $32.99, including free shipping. It included four items, so the average cost per item is $8.25. The total suggested retail for all items is $50, which means the savings on this box is 34%!
Check out all of our Fair Trade Friday reviews and more fair trade boxes in the Artisan Subscription Box Directory!
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What do you think of Fair Trade Friday?
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