This August, discover how you can support artisans in Gaza and explore the beautiful products from Mexico and Tibet that were showcased at recent tradeshows around the United States. Dive into our latest updates and see how you can make a difference!

It’s tradeshow season! Dos Tierras, a collective of contemporary artisanal products from Mexico that emerged from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Manos Vivas 2.0 project, and Exploring Tibetan Handmade, a business that supports Tibetan artisans and showcases their important handicrafts, exhibited at both the Las Vegas Market in Las Vegas and Shoppe Object in New York City.

The Las Vegas Market continues to be a large-scale event, bringing together a range of international brands, buyers, and designers. Shoppe Object, on the other hand, is known for its highly curated selection of unique, high-quality design products, attracting a specific audience of buyers.

The Dos Tierras booth featured beautifully handmade hammocks, pillows, home décor and fashion products, while the Exploring Tibetan Handmade booth showcased a range of tote and laptop bags, clutches, toys, and soaps.

Guillermo Jester, the co-founder of Dos Tierras, shared, “Our participation in these fairs allowed us to learn more about market trends and customer preferences…We believe that these events have been fundamental to our continued growth and adaptation in an ever-evolving market.”

Pictured: Guillermo Jester and Dany Hernandez of Dos Tierras at the Las Vegas Market (top right), Exploring Tibetan Handmade booth at the Las Vegas Market (bottom left), Kristine Jones of Exploring Tibetan Handmade at the Las Vegas Market (bottom center), Dos Tierras Booth at Shoppe Object (bottom right).

One of the greatest ways to learn is by doing. Fidelia Gongora, a master artisan from Tipical, Yucatán, visited New York City to immerse herself in American culture and explore a new market for the very first time. Accompanied by ATA’s Program Associate, Hannah Klein, the two explored the city, visiting fabric and fashion stores and attending the Shoppe Object tradeshow.

Through these experiences, Fidelia, an expert in designing huipiles—a traditional Mexican garment—gained firsthand insight into the stylistic differences in fabrics, colors, and designs between the US and Mexican markets. At Shoppe Object, Fidelia joined the Dos Tierras team to experience what a tradeshow in the US is like, which, to her surprise, was vastly different from those in Mexico and what she had anticipated. The way products were displayed, the attendees, and the sales approach were all aspects that stood out to Fidelia.

Throughout the whole experience, she frequently expressed her amazement, saying, “Wow, this is so different!”

When asked about her biggest takeaways from the experience, Fidelia shared:

“I learned that the sales and clients at the event [Shoppe Object] are different [than those in Mexico], and [about] what mostly sells.” She continued to share “I especially noticed the colors that are selling [in the US]. [I will] first share what I have learned with my colleagues.”

We extend our thanks to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, for providing Fidelia with this opportunity.

Pictured: Fidelia exploring fashion stores in NYC (top left), Fidelia taking photos of fabrics for her artisan group (bottom left), the whole team at Shoppe Object (bottom center), Fidelia looking at fabrics (bottom right).

EthicsFoods shared the authentic flavors of Mexico with delicious Tamula products at the Cocina Sabrosa Expo in Dallas, Texas, for the first time ever! This national food and beverage expo is tailored for the Hispanic community, boasting over 200 exhibitors and 500 suppliers, restaurants, chefs, and retailers, with the goal of strengthening the Hispanic food industry in the United States.

Tamula came to life as a result of the first Manos Vivas project, funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in 2021. Through multiple trainings paired with the skills of the artisans, the Tamula brand developed unique flavors and recipes for both the national and international markets.

At Cocina Sabrosa, the Tamula products showcased included mouthwatering marmalades, nut butters, honeys, and salsas, all made by Mayan women from the rural communities of Campeche. Tamula was well received by attendees, many of whom were impressed by both the quality of the products and the story behind their creation.

Carlos Ponce de Leon, founder of EthicsFoods, shared that their participation at “Cocina Sabrosa [was] very motivating. It was very gratifying to know the positive feedback from the attendees who tasted and got to know our Tamula products. It has been a year of effort by the artisans, consultants, the ATA team, and the commerce company where we see the possibility of accessing the US market getting closer and closer.” 

Pictured: Carlos Ponce de Leon of EthicsFoods and Nora Carillo of ATA in their booth at Cocina Sabrosa (top right), samples with Tamula marmalade and cream cheese on a cracker from Mexico (bottom left), Tamula Pineapple Habanero and Watermelon Habanero sauces (bottom center), Tamula Tropical Habanero and Sweet Spiced Tomato Marmalades (bottom right)

Amidst immense challenges, artisans in Gaza, supported by Atfaluna, continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience and determination. Despite being displaced multiple times, they have persisted in their craft, finding ways to sell their products to NGOs and aid workers.

Fida Shurrab, an Atfaluna employee who is helping lead the Rebuilding Hope initiative, is working tirelessly with her team on the ground to ensure the artisans at their shelter receive the materials they need to continue their work.

Fida shares, “Once [the artisans] started working again, they felt that they came back to life. When they have access to paint [or] do their beautiful embroidery pieces, they are away from the harsh situation they are living in. So, it makes a difference in their lives, and because it makes a difference in their lives, we try to do our best so we can secure the needed materials.”

Help the “Rebuilding Hope: Help Support Atfaluna Artisans in Gaza” campaign reach its goal of $80,000 today with a small $5 donation. Every cent brings Atfaluna one step closer to rebuilding the hope of the 50 artisans, who collectively care for 85 children. Click HERE to donate and share this campaign.

Pictured: Atfaluna artisans working on her craft.

–EthicsFoods will exhibit at the Miami Food and Beverage Show for the second time! Visit them from September 16-18^th, 2024, at booth #1353.

-Alianza Komon A’tel will hold their second Water Forum in the community of San Juan Cancuc, Chiapas.

-We will be announcing the winners of the 2024 Canvas Home Small Grants!

Pictured: Carlos of EthicsFoods at the Cocina Sabrosa show