Hometown Humanitarian: Fair Trade in Midtown

Want to support the global economy? Look no further than Global Goods, a fair trade craft, coffee, clothes and gift store in Midtown.

Fair Trade simply means that products are made by people with fair working conditions and wages in developing countries.  

“I think that it is common to hear about sweatshops and unfair working conditions in other countries. Global Goods is a practical way for people here in Memphis to impact the lives of those workers by simply buying everyday items,” said Debbie Odom, buyer for Global Goods.

Global Goods carries clothes and jewelry from countries such as Peru, India, Nepal and Ghana, coffee from Guatemala, Columbia, Brazil, and a variety of chocolates from Europe. Most things range from one dollar to $20. 

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All goods are bought from Fair Trade organizations such as Global Mamas, Global Crafts and Serrv.

The Global Goods store is one of the many missions of the First Congregational Church on Cooper Street. The store is located in their building.

The church began to look into the fair trade industry in 1995 and started selling items from Serrv. However, it wasn’t until 2001 that they opened their store and branched out to sell items from all over the world.  

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Global Goods is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. It is completely run by volunteers, and anyone interested should contact Jackie Nerren, the volunteer coordinator at nerrenj@bellsouth.net. 


"I feel like we have the responsibility to do what we can to help others who are less fortunate," Odom said.

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Find out about everything humanitarian in Memphis with Humanitarian Heart. Read stories, find out about nonprofits, and learn simple ways that you can make a difference. Every Wednesday until November 13, there will be a short post featuring a simple way that for you to be a humanitarian in Memphis.