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!
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 US shipping
The Products: 2-4 fairly traded global handicrafts
Ships to: the US for free, Canada for $15, Worldwide for $25
Fair Trade Friday "Sweet Friendship" 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 "Sweet Friendship."
Oven Mitt by Ziyada, India - Listed Retail Value $15
You know, in all the years I have been a subscription box enthusiast, I believe this is the first time I have ever received an oven mitt in a box. Brilliant! I actually really needed one! This is a really and truly awesome one, too. Whenever I see something from India with this type of print, I immediately wonder if it could be hand block printed, and yes! It is! It also passed my cast-iron skillet test! The handle of my skillet gets super hot and it is really heavy, so I usually have to supplement my mitt with another towel doubled to pick up the skillet and pour the contents onto a plate, but this mitt can handle that job all by itself. Ziyada is an organization that provides safe employment for impoverished communities in north India. They do really beautiful work!
Cake Toppers by Mercy House Global, USA - Listed Retail Value $6
These little cake toppers are the kind of thing I would never think to buy, but they sure are festive! What a fun inclusion! These items were made by refugees in Houston, Texas who work directly for Mercy House, the parent organization of Fair Trade Friday.
Spatula by Itza Wood, Guatemala - Retail Value $29.95
I was really happy to receive this spatula in my box this month because I have taken to cooking almost exclusively with wooden spatulas. They won't scratch nonstick surfaces like metal will, and I don't have to worry about overheating a plastic spatula and having toxins leech into the food. This spatula is also really smooth and well made, and the top is pointed so it is extra useful in breaking up foods. I love it! Itza Wood's products are all made from sustainable wood from the tropical forests of Guatemala, and they help to provide employment for impoverished craftspersons in the area.
Chocolates by Equal Exchange, Central America - Listed Retail Value $5
These little milk chocolate bars were so creamy and delicious! Notice I said were because they are definitely long gone at this point! I love that they included little recipes on the back of the packaging for things to make with the chocolates, but let's be honest. There's no better way to eat chocolate this delicious that straight out of the wrapper! Equal Exchange is actually a cooperative of workers from Peru, Ecuador, Panama, and the Dominican Republic who work together to bring rights and responsibilities to the workplace. And to make amazing, fairly traded chocolate!
The Verdict: I love my subscription to Fair Trade Friday Original Box! Everything was awesome this month, but I definitely needed and was most impressed by the oven mitt. It's so pretty, and such high quality! 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:
If I subscribe today, can I still receive this box? 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 $33 shipped. It included four items, so the average cost per item is $8.25. The total suggested retail for all items is $55.95, which means the savings on this box is 41%!
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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