Fair Trade
African Market Baskets™ is a member of the Fair Trade Federation.
African Market Baskets™ strives to be known for three things: Quality, Value, and Integrity. For 35 years, founder and CEO, Steve Karowe has used the Fair Trade business concept of economic partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect.
Ensuring that the weavers are satisfied is of top importance to Steve. He makes it his business to see that they have comfortable working conditions and fair wages. Prices are negotiated by first asking what the artisans want to charge for a particular item. If their price is workable, it is always accepted. If the price is too high, he explains what price he can pay and asks if the weaver can produce it for that price and still make a profit. He regularly pays much of the money in advance of receiving goods in order to help the weavers with cash flow and he always does his best to make sure they are happy with the final price.
In all business dealings African Market Baskets™ follows Fair Trade Federation principles:
- Create Opportunities for Economically and Socially Marginalized Producers
- Develop Transparent and Accountable Relationships
- Promote Fair Trade
- Pay Promptly and Fairly
- Support Safe and Empowering Working Conditions
- Ensure the Rights of Children
- Cultivate Environmental Stewardship
- Respect Cultural Identity
- Building Capacity
African Market Baskets™ is also a member of Green America. We support their mission to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.