The Seeds of GrassRoots.

Jill Dean began GrassRoots as many Fair Trade businesses start: on the grassroots level. After selling coffee, chocolate and tea at her church, she expanded to a booth at the Anchorage summer weekend market. Encouraged by the response of Alaskans to Fair Trade, Jill ventured to rent a storefront in the neighborhood of Spenard. In fall of 2008, she opened the doors to GrassRoots Fair Trade Store. In 2017 GrassRoots moved across the street and Jill and her daughter Elizabeth became co-owners.

New Products. New Artisans.

Just in the past few years, the Fair Trade movement has grown rapidly with new producer groups sprouting up with new crafts and artisan products. GrassRoots is committed to providing Alaskans the opportunity to shop the newest that Fair Trade has to offer while also keeping a selection of favorites. Every product offered for sale is made by an artisan group dedicated to the principles of Fair Trade Trade as set out by the World Fair Trade Organization and the Fair Trade Federation. 

Our mission is to help generate healthy, sustainable economic development and trading opportunities for disadvantaged artisans and farmers and to provide an opportunity for our neighbors to directly engage with these producers and contribute to easing global poverty.