Ethical Sockmaker increases their impact; extends their purpose

Conscious Step’s mission is to do good with each pair of their meticulously-crafted, organic cotton socks. Each style is paired with a charity addressing needs outlined in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. They have extended their impact by becoming Fairtrade certified. The FAIRTRADE Mark – backed by the rigorous Fairtrade Standards – is the most trusted ethical label in the United States.

“In today’s world giving back is as much a lifestyle choice as it is about directly serving people and planet. Consumers now have an easier time than ever understanding how their purchase decisions affect their mind and body, as well as the surrounding world,” said Prashant Mehta, CEO of Conscious Step.

“We founded our company to create unity and understanding, making sure the products we produce have a greater impact and serve a higher purpose. Our partnership with Fairtrade will allow us to extend our impact beyond the causes we support to the cotton farmers supplying the raw material.”

Conscious Step partners each sock with a qualified impact partner. Each pair of mustard and blue striped socks results in the equivalent of two books for schoolchildren in Asia. Baby blue and gold argyle goes toward providing 18 months of safe water through Water.org. And red polka dots on black provides a week of HIV treatment for an expectant mother through UNAIDS. Over the next three months, Conscious Step will add 10 new styles to its line of socks extending support to even more organizations.

With the addition of Fairtrade certified cotton, every style of Conscious Step socks also means benefits going back to Fairtrade cotton farmers. When small-scale farmers’ organizations sell their cotton on Fairtrade terms, they receive at least the Fairtrade Minimum Price and gain improved access to pre-financing, and stable contracts.

In addition, farmers’ organizations receive five cents per kilogram of cotton sold in Fairtrade Premium – an extra amount that farmers invest in their communities as they see fit. Projects focus on business improvement, or education, health and other community development projects.

Conscious Step was launched in 2013 by three social entrepreneurs through a crowdfunding campaign. The company believes that global change happens when passionate people unite around a common cause. Conscious Step socks not only give back, but help link people to the causes they support – whether it’s planting trees in Ghana, supporting expectant mothers struggling with AIDS, or bringing nutrition to children.

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About Conscious Step

Conscious Step exists to give an ordinary purchase, extraordinary purpose.  Each of our premium socks are partnered and designed to support world class non-profit organizations.  Inspired to support and spread awareness for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, each pair provides a quantified impact directly making the world a better place.

Each pair of Conscious Steps plants twenty trees, provides 18 months of clean water, two schoolbooks, one week of HIV therapy preventing transmission, or six therapeutic food packs to malnourished children. Learn more at www.ConsciousStep.com

About Fairtrade America

Fairtrade is an alternative approach to trade that empowers farmers & workers, companies and consumers to share the benefits of trade more equally. Our vision is a world in which all farmers and workers can enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential and shape their own future.

By complying with the social, economic and environmental criteria in the internationally-agreed Fairtrade Standards, farmers, traders and brands can improve the sustainability of their entire supply chain. The FAIRTRADE Mark, licensed by Fairtrade America in the United States, is the most recognized and trusted ethical label worldwide.

Learn more at www.fairtradeamerica.org or follow Fairtrade America on @FairtradeMarkUS.

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