Maggie's Organics was recently rated favorably regarding our labor and worker’s rights conditions at Free2Work.org. Free2work is a joint venture between the Not For Sale Campaign, International Labor Rights Forum, and Humanity United. The Not For Sale Campaign is working to equip and mobilize smart activists to deploy innovative solutions to re-abolish slavery in their own backyards and across the globe. The International Labor Rights Forum is an advocacy organization dedicated to achieving just and humane treatment for workers worldwide. Humanity United seeks to enable local and global solutions to end modern-day slavery and mass atrocities in our time by pursuing a creative combination of research, policy, and public pressure.
If you've been following our journey of becoming the world's first Fair Labor Practices and Community Benefits certified apparel company it may not surprise you that we received an "A" rating in each category we were rated for: Outerwear, Underwear, and Kids/Babies. An "A" Rating signifies: Workers are partners in preventing forced and child labor. The manufacturer takes appropriate steps to ensure that employees know their rights and are able to negotiate conditions of work.
Thank you Free2Work, we are grateful that you have acknowledged the way we choose to do business! We hope to see you continue to assist the consumer in making responsible purchases.
On Friday November 20th, former Maggie's intern Mary Lemmer won the Lakeshore's Next Top Entrepreneur contest held in Holland, MI. Congratulations Mary! The contest was sponsored by the Lakeshore Advantage's Momentum program. Mary and her team were awarded $1,000 to continue work on her project to encourage homeowners to purchase energy-efficient lights and appliances - a company known as Carbon Perks. Mary has been active in the field of sustainable business for a few years and her work at Maggie's was one part of that. Since she worked at Maggie’s in the summer and fall of 2008 she has continued to build an impressive network of like-minded people and a stunning resume for work in the field of sustainability.
Last week, a stylist from the hit TV-show Gossip Girl called Maggie's and ordered some of our tights for one of their actresses. Supposedly, the actress has sensitive skin and is interested in eco-friendly apparel. Will they be featured on Gossip Girl? We'll let you know once we know!
In the November/December issue of Organic Processing Magazine, the Maggie's Menagerie Co-op Animals were named one of the "Best New Organic Retail Products of 2009." From Organic Processing Magazine:
Maggie's Menagerie Co-op Animals are an example of socially and environmentally-forward innovation. Promoting fair labor models, these stuffed animals are sewn by Opportunity Threads, a 100 percent worker-owned sewing cooperative in North Carolina. In addition, each unique toy is made of re-purposed fabric and irregular socks that otherwise would have been wasted.
On Sunday November 8th, 2009, Maggie’s Organics participated in a community benefit event in San Francisco, CA on behalf of the Progressive Jewish Association (PJA). We met the PJA folks at this year’s Bioneers conference. PJA is a new Jewish organization, one that serves as a vehicle connecting Jews to the critical social justice issues of the day. PJA fights for economic justice by educating Jews about an obligation to stand with the working poor, and then organizes the Jewish community to join in campaigns to improve working conditions and secure a living wage for low-wage workers.
Maggie's scarf, camisole, and leg warmers in action for a good cause.
Maggie’s is delighted to announce a new style of versatile cotton tights. Our new Lightweight Tights are thinner than our previous tights, but with an increased organic cotton content (now up to 77%). Able to stretch more than our previous tights, the Lightweight Tights provide a more generous fit – making for a sheer and elegant look in any season! They are available in sizes small through XL, in colors black, chocolate, and grey. You can find them here!
Maggie’s Organics will be first to acquire Fair Labor Practices and Community Benefits Certification
Maggie’s Organics will become the first apparel company ever to be certified Fair Labor under a rigorous new auditing process: Fair Labor Practices and Community Benefits certification by Scientific Certification Systems.This certification validates socially responsible practices both in agricultural production and at all stages of the post-harvest production process.
Ypsilanti, MI – September 15th, 2009 – Maggie’s Organics has been making apparel items with certified organic fibers and fair labor practices since 1992.The agricultural standard and process of growing fibers organically has been in place since Maggie’s started their business.Maggie’s is proud to announce that its production chain in Central America has been evaluated by an independent third party and all of the workers involved in the process are treated fairly with safe and healthy working conditions based upon a global standard.Maggie’s Organics will be the first company in the world to hold this certification.
Bená Burda, President and Founder of Maggie’s said, “We have always taken the high road when it comes to making sure all who are involved with producing our products are treated fairly and that somehow we have helped sustain their lives in the process.It is validating to have others verify this and put a standard in place that can be measured.”
The Fair Labor Practices and Community Benefits Certification standard, developed by Scientific Certification Systems (www.scscertified.com) in conjunction with key stake holders, validates socially responsible practices in agricultural production and all stages of processing including:growing, harvesting, ginning, spinning, knitting, finishing, cutting, sewing, screen printing, and distribution.Certification to this standard covers:equitable hiring and employment, safe workplace conditions, worker and family access to health, education, and transportation services, local and regional impacts, community engagement, and demonstrated economic stability.
The Jubilee House Community (http://www.jhc-cdca.org), a non-government organization located in Nueva Vida, Nicaragua was instrumental in coordinating the production chain within Nicaragua.JHC has been nurturing local communities in Nicaragua since 1994.
The first products to be offered under this new certification are Maggie’s Solid Scarves made with 100% certified organic cotton and will be available in all stores this holiday season.Whole Foods Market® has been offering Maggie’s Organics products in all of its stores for years.“We are excited to be able to offer these scarves that not only look and feel great but they also have quite a story behind them.Our customers will not have to second guess about what went on behind the scenes of the production of this product”, said Jeremiah McElwee, Senior Whole Body Coordinator for Whole Foods Market.
All of the solid color scarves: Black, Maroon, Plum, and Olive, will be ready to order on September 17th, 2009.Other items including a new t-shirt will be available Spring 2010.
About Maggie’s Organics
Maggie’s Organics is located in Ypsilanti, MI.Bená Burda is the President and Founder of the company.Ms. Burda helped launch worker-owned sewing cooperatives in Nueva Vida, Nicaragua and more recently in Morganton, North Carolina.
For more information about Maggie’s Organics and their products, please visit www.maggiesorganics.com, or contact Doug Wilson at 800-609-8593, or dwilson@organicclothes.com.
