When Kenan and Alison Netzger opened Cassella's Kitchen 15 months ago, they made a conscious decision to offer something different. Their store of cookware, dishes and other kitchen accessories is sprinkled with "fair trade" products, a rare commodity in Muncie.

Fair trade practices emphasize relationships between workers, traders and consumers, and ensure that employees work in safe conditions, are paid fair wages and are mindful of the environment. Fair trade certification can come from a number of national and international groups, including TransFair USA and the Fair Trade Federation. In essence, the products are made by workers who do not work in sweatshops.

"It's really more of a humanitarian approach to business, rather than a profit approach," said Ione DeOllos, associate professor of sociology at Ball State University.

Cassella's Kitchen, on Walnut Street, offers fair trade Numi tea, Bambu and Artifacts kitchenware and La Chamba pottery. All of the products come from businesses that work directly with artisans, promising them a fair profit. La Chamba, for example, comes from a group of women in Colombia. Some of their past profits have gone to build a childcare center.

That kind of connection is why Kenan Netzger said he supports fair trade.

"It's about taking an ethical stance," he said. "Treating human beings fairly, making sure money and benefits go to the people that make the products."

Full Story and video at: http://www.newslinkindiana.com/index.php?src=news&refno=2085&category=Top%20Story

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