Trade As One

We are often encouraged by what people do to spread the word about fair trade in their communities. Our Trading Post program allows faith communities (or individuals) to purchase items to resell. We thought it would be fun to profile Monnie & Fred Blesse who run a Trading Post at Auberry Community Church in California so Rachel recently interviewed them so you can hear their story in their own words. Their story is particularly encouraging because you can see that you don’t have to have a bookstore or cafe to be able to do this!

Q:  How did you learn about Trade as One?

A: Way back in 1971, we had a guy come to speak at my (Fred’s) church, which eventually resulted in a number of us spending a summer working with Operation Mobilization in France.  The guy’s name was Ron George.  We kept in touch with Ron & Nan (as we knew them) over the years and discovered that their son, Nathan was now living in Santa Cruz, and that he and his wife, Catherine, had begun this awesome fair trade program, Trade As One.  We had to check it out, started getting involved, and have not looked back since.

Q: What is it about the concept of fair trade and what Trade as One is doing that made you want to be more involved than just purchasing products yourself?

A: We have been working through what it means to truly love our neighbor as ourselves, and this has led us to seek a biblical perspective and lifestyle, vis-à-vis social responsibility, social justice, etc.  TAO is an exciting way to do this.
Q: How does your Trading Post work at the church?

A: Well, we have a little table out all the time at the back of our worship center, with a variety of TAO items laid out on it - we are small church, with no “narthex”- type space. Chocolate, coffee, jewelry, bags, etc., quite a bit of stuff.  (We really haven’t had any problem with them being out like that.)  When someone wants to buy something, they either pay us or put money in the envelope there.

Q: Give an example of 2-3 products people seem to enjoy most in your Trading Post.

A: Chocolate is the most popular.  We have also sold a lot of jewelry - earrings, bracelets… 

Q: What kind of difference can you see the work you’re doing making in your church?

A: More and more conversations about ethical spending.  It is exciting to be helping others as well as ourselves to develop a day-to-day mentality of being a blessing to others, even in terms of our everyday purchases.

Q: What would you tell someone who is considering starting a Trading Post?
A: Go for it.  Start small.  Don’t worry about making a big splash, just keep at it.  One way this has revolutionized our own lives is in our giving of gifts, e.g., Christmas, birthdays, etc.  We love spreading the message this way - it’s giving twice!

Q: You are quite the fair trade shoppers yourselves (I just happen to know!)...can you each tell us your FAVORITE product and how you use it, why you love it, etc.

Fred:  Wow!  Just one?  Let’s see… for me it would have to be Divine Dark Chocolate bars.  And the Thanksgiving Coffee!

Monnie: If I have to choose one, it would be jewelry - I love to give it as gifts and love to wear the earrings.

Q:  I know you’ve given a lot of fair trade gifts. Can you choose one story of a gift you’ve given that was met with a wonderful response and share it.

A: We recently gave a beautiful cutting board to newlyweds for their wedding present (Fred also performed the ceremony).  They loved it!  But the best part was knowing (and being able to share) that we were blessing the maker of the board as well as the recipients.  Make that three bless-ees (ha ha, bad pun unintended):  us, as well.

Q: In summary, how has this experience impacted you?
A. For us, TAO has helped us to be much more proactive in our desire to bring our spending into a more biblical pattern.  It has introduced us to some other ways we can be a part of being salt and light in this world, such as our social responsibilities, especially the whole issue of human trafficking (modern-day slavery).  It also fits in with our desire to practice a biblical (there’s that word again) approach to environmental stewardship.