Castiglione Opens Fair Trade World Shop Promoting Ethical Consumption

Recently, it has become possible to purchase fair trade products in Castiglione as well. The Mondo Capovolto association has indeed opened a “World Shop” at via Perati 15, in premises provided by the Pro Loco.

Here, one can find foodstuffs (cocoa, coffee, sugar, honey, exotic fruits, tea, herbal teas, rice, legumes, mushrooms, fruit Juices, cookies, chocolate, flours) and artisanal crafts (clothing, household items, jewelry, tools, and musical instruments) which share the characteristic of having prices not determined by multinationals, who too often monopolize markets, but by a network of agro-food cooperatives that guarantee the quality and authenticity of the products.

Goals and promotion of the shop

“Beyond ensuring the continuous operation of this alternative distribution channel for products coming from developing countries,” explains Prof. Lauro Francheschetti, spokesperson of Mondo Capovolto, “we also work to promote among citizens education towards a critical consumption that challenges the unjust mechanisms regulating the relationships between producers in the Global South and merchants.”

“In fact,” he adds, “opening a world shop doesn’t just mean having a commercial space, but also creating a meeting place, where people can gather to exchange opinions and experiences, to create and organize initiatives for education about globalization, and to raise awareness on these themes within the local community.”

Hours and association meetings

Interested citizens who wish to address the issue of international economic imbalances can purchase fair trade products every Saturday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Another important event is the meetings of the members, held at the headquarters on the first and third Thursday of each month at 9:00 PM, where they organize the management of the shop and plan the association’s activities.