Looking for a unique and meaningful shopping experience? Baskets from Vietnam are just one of many colourful and useful items sold at Global Village Nanaimo. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

fair trade

Global Village Nanaimo aims to help keep COVID-19 impacted fair trade producers in business

Oct 18, 2020 | 7:33 AM

NANAIMO — Disadvantaged worldwide producers are depending on fair trade retailers like Global Village Nanaimo (GVN) more than ever.

Nanaimo’s non-profit seasonal fair trade store opened earlier this month at the Metral Place shopping centre just off Aulds Rd.

The organization pays workers from impoverished countries a fair wage up front for ethically produced goods.

GVN executive director Joan Hiemstra said their wide range of products are carefully selected from individual artists and cooperatives.

“It includes an element of environmental protection and making sure that the business does not partake in child labour or forced labour and there are opportunities for people to learn and grown within their own company.”

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GVN has been in business as a seasonal store for nearly 25 years, offering everything from Halloween and Christmas decorations to clothing, baskets, rugs, kitchen accessories, spices and soaps.

“We are dealing directly with people in India and Nepal and people around the world to pick out some of the most unique items that we can find, things that have got a practical purpose.”

Hiemstra said their roughly 25 suppliers from 15 countries don’t have government subsidies softening the blow sharp COVID-19 related global economic declines.

“They need us more than ever,” Hiemstra said.

She spoke to the resilience of a Mongolian supplier who praised GVN and several other fair trade outlets for allowing their organization to survive through next April.

GVN is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5 pm through Dec. 24.

More information on GVN, including access to its online store are available here.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes