This time of year it becomes a challenge to source things ethically. With limited time and lots of stress it’s easy to resort to Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, or companies like that.

I composed a list of small companies that are doing AMAZING work, can be purchased in stores and ordered online. Cost is on the higher end but it doesn't hurt to at least see what they're doing and learn from them. One idea is to pool orders w friends and then split the foods to save on shipping and order in bulk.

Just so ya know "fair trade" does not mean much. It is mostly a label. Companies should really have sourcing information available on their site and pay beyond 3X commodity pricing. Check these places out! They ship and can be found in the Capital Region (if ya look hard enough).

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Incense:

Eden Rose Foundation, Albany, NY https://edensrose.org/

Candles

Good day honey, Coeymans Hollow, NY. (candles made from the wax produced by their own bees). Not vegan, but at least it’s direct!

Hand made ceramics, etc.

Superior Merchandise, Troy NY.

Yi Yi Mendoza, Troy, NY.

Field and Flower Ceramics, Albany, NY

Spices:

Burlap & Barrel Single Origin Spices

Diaspora Co.

Rockerbock Spice Co.

Sugar:

Just Panela (Based in Colombia)

Coconut:

Coco Goods (Vietnam) https://shop.cocogoodsco.com/

Fresh Fruits and Veggies:

Troy Waterfront Farmers Market

Honest Weight Food Co-op

Rice

Lundberg (California)

Dried Super Fruits:

Ama Fruits (The Amazon) https://amafruits.com/pages/shop-now

You can find Underground Alchemy at Honest Weight Food co-op, our shop and our site!

Herbs

Llasa Karnak

Underground Alchemy (Albany)

Coffee:

Brewtus Roasting (Delmar)

Stacks Espresso Bar (Albany)

Touchy Coffee (Troy)

Alias Coffee (Troy)

Dried Tropical Fruits:

Mavuno Harvest (Uganda, Africa) https://www.mavunoharvest.com

Chocolate:

Primo Botanica (Peru, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Costa Rica)

Fruition Chocolate (Peru, Dominican Republic)

Check out https://chocolateinstitute.org/resources/map/ (in 2021 coffee and chocolate are the easiest foods to find direct trade. There's literally hundreds of companies doing it)

Our full bar collection, found in multiple retailers in the Capital Region.

Charcuterie:

Meaty Max Vegan Meats (sources local mushrooms + garlic for their delicious vegan pepperonis)

Tea:

Saratoga Tea & Honey Co.

Clothing:

Patagonia (Sweatshop Free)

Lyf Supply (Sources U.S. made and does all of their own embroidery work).

Primo Phoenix Beanies made by Lyf Supply.

We will be adding more to this list- as it is an active list of companies we love. Stay tuned.

DIRECT TRADE SHOPPING LIST 2021!