Our journey on this planet revolves around the choices we make. The practice of yoga, on and off our mat, cultivates awareness. It is through this awareness that we awaken to each moment, each choice and each opportunity to connect and make a difference in our own life, the lives of our loved ones and the lives of everyone on this planet. It is through supporting organic, Fair Trade and locally owned businesses that we can create a more eco-friendly, sustainable and safer place for each of us to live.
Definition of "Organics" in the U.S.
All agricultural farms and products claiming to be organic must be guaranteed by a USDA-approved independent agency to be meeting the following guidelines:
- Abstain from the application of prohibited materials (including synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage sludge) for 3 years prior to their certification and then continually throughout their organic license
- Prohibit the use of genetically modified organisms and irradiation.
- Employ positive soil building, conservation, manure management and and crop rotation practices.
- Provide outdoor access and pasture for livestock.
- Refrain from antibiotic and hormone use in livestock.
- Sustain animals on 100% organic feed.
- Avoid contamination during the processing of organic products.
- Keep records of all operations
About Fair Trade
Fair Trade is a system of exchange that seeks to create greater equity and partnership in the international trading system by
- Providing fair wages in the local context
- Supporting safe, healthy and participatory workplaces
- Supplying financial and technical support to build capacity
- Ensuring environmental sustainability
- Respecting cultural identity
- Offering public accountability and transparency
- Building direct and long-term relationships
- Educating consumers
Fair Trade is not about charity. It is a holistic approach to trade and development that aims to alter the ways in which commerce is conducted so that trade can empower the poorest of the poor. Fair Trade Organizations seek to create sustainable and positive change in developing and developed countries.
The above information was taken from www.fairtradefederation.org Why Shop Locally?
The Power of Choice
Every time you make a purchase, you're exercising your power of choice. The choice is yours. You have the power to strengthen and enrich your community. Did you know:
- For every two jobs national retailers bring to a community, three jobs are lost as a result of local businesses closing down
- When you shop locally-owned businesses, your money is re-circulated over and over and creates up to 75Bl% more tax revenues needed for the community to thrive.
- Independent businesses raise the standard of living in your community because they take their profits and buy products and services from other local businesses, thus creating more and more tax revenues needed for the community to thrive.
- Millions of dollars of tax revenue subsidies handed to chains by financially starved local governments drain even more tax revenue from our community and state.
- Blighted empty shopping carts are created in your community when chain stores re-locate to a more lucrative shopping center, or leave altogether. Literally hundreds of big stores are abandoned each year across the United States
- Independent businesses are unique enterprises that contribute to the character of the community by offering a more diverse selections of goods and services.
- Independent businesses provide meaningful service with a personal touch. It matters to them that you are satisfied and will come back again.
- Carefully planned predatory pricing practices have allowed national chains to to establish virtual monopolies as they drive local competition out of business. And then they raise their prices.