Fair Trade and Mayan Women's Weavings Connect Through Las Cruces Cooperative

By Jessica Havstad

Las Cruces, NM – Products sold with a Fair Trade label are quickly becoming commonplace in the U.S. as retailers stock their aisles with these products, promising a reasonable wage to local producers. The fair trade practice has largely ignored one commodity however, the vibrant pieces of handmade artisan goods sold at a bargain in a number of rural communities including Chiapas, Mexico. The Las Cruces Chiapas Connection represents an area effort in support of this woman centered trade.