“Sustainability needs to be accessible and attractive.” – Sarah Sproviero, Founder of Lightfoot Market
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The time where the champagne and pumpkin spice lattes are overflowing, the sweater-wearing weather is finally here to stay and children begin to pray for snow on Christmas day. It is also the time when we frantically search for just the right gifts to give to our loved ones. I’ve created 5 Conscious & Chic Holiday Gift Guides because holiday shopping is a challenge no matter where you are in the world!
However, if you are in New York City, you are in luck! Lightfoot Market Holiday Pop Up shop is back just in time for the mayhem. On December 9 and 10th, you will have the opportunity to shop the season’s most beautifully crafted and ethically approved products. In fact, Lightfoot Market brings 70 vendors together in the very conveniently located Metropolitan Suite in Chelsea.
Lightfoot Market was created by girl boss Sarah Sproviero who recently completed her masters in sustainability management. The idea came to her after a conversation with a friend only a year and a half ago. She saw a gap between sustainable shoppers and business owners and decided to do something about it.
Sarah and I have so much in common including our desire to meet people where they are in their sustainability journey without judgement! We also believe that shopping ethically shouldn’t be a sacrifice.
What to expect at Lightfoot Market?
A wide variety of sustainable brands, making it easier for you to find ethically-made products from recycled-metal jewelry to handmade surfboards constructed from sustainably harvested wood. Lightfoot Market also features food, beverages, clothing, accessories, bath and body products, jewelry, home wares, outdoor goods, technology and gifts for children and pets. Seriously, there’s something for everyone!
There is no market quite like it in the city because every vendor must meet Lightfoot’s four gold standards and be conflict-free, cruelty-free, non-toxic, and sweatshop-free. These exhibitors show the highest levels of commitment to our earth and humankind.
Transparency
Lightfoot Market makes it easy for you to know what you are supporting by being as transparent as possible. They know that “sustainability” is a loaded word and can mean different things to different people. While some shoppers may care about supporting a low-carbon supply chain, others might value supporting underprivileged communities across the world. Both being important and valid, Lightfoot makes acting on those values seamless by providing clear signage (vegan, local, fair trade, organic, etc) at their markets. Customers can shop confidently knowing exactly what they’re supporting.
Top 5 brands Sarah Sproviero is excited to be featuring this year:
Sarah’s Disclaimer: “We can’t possibly pick our top 5 – we love ALL of our brands, but here is a sample of five that belong on everyone’s holiday shopping list.”
Body Stuff | A NO BS skincare line formulated to simplify the beauty routine with non-toxic, multifunctional products. Shop now!
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- Charcoal Ginger Face Mask
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- Bath Salt Blends
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- Exfoliating Body Scrub
Rescue Chocolate | A brand that sells vegan, organic, fairly-traded, kosher, made-in-Brooklyn chocolate bars and truffles, with all profits donated to animal rescues. Shop now!
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- Cappuccino Kitten Bars
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- Animal Rescue Gift Set
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- All Fruit Collection
Eco Lustre | A meticulously curated selection of environmentally friendly jewelry handcrafted in the United States by indie and emerging designers. Shop now!
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- Fork Ring
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- Deco Earrings
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- Double Rectangle Necklace
White Field Farm | All natural, handcrafted personal care products and candles that offers job training and employment to women survivors of human trafficking. Shop now!
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- Rose + Bergamot Travel Tin Soy Candle
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- Activated Charcoal Soap
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- Montawk Soy Wax Candle
Global Shokunin | Handmade fair-trade artisanal home goods and accessories from around the world, as well as goods made in NYC by artisans using up-cycled materials. Shop now!
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- Gorilla Sisla Basket – Large Multi
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- indique Cotton Hand-Woven Napkin
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- Sisal Medium Basket – Red
You can browse the full list of vendors here.
The bottom line is: shopping for the holidays is overwhelming enough, shopping ethically shouldn’t come as an additional burden. Sarah wants shoppers to feel empowered this holiday season. Empowered because they know what they are buying but also because they understand that voting with their dollar is powerful. No one can take that away from us. We can choose to vote for products and businesses with integrity and help change industry standards by telling the big guys that business-as-usual won’t cut it anymore.
Sarah and the Lightfoot team also want to make crystal clear that value-based shopping doesn’t have to be a sacrifice. The products at Lightfoot Market are not only held to high sustainability standards, but also to high standards of quality, design, and affordability.
At Lightfoot Market, we care about reducing waste, preserving our natural resources, and supporting businesses that align with our values by giving back to communities in need. That’s why we strive for our events to be zero-waste and carbon-neutral.
Need a little help navigating the selection of vendors? Sarah was kind enough to make a few suggestions for the very important people on your list. All of the below can be found at the market.
FOR YOUR MOM
- Household goods from Global Shokunin,
- Chocolates from Rescue Chocolate.
- Handmade skincare from Balbec Beauty skincare.
FOR YOUR DAD
- Tie, pocket square and / or bowtie from Faburiq tie.
- Button-down shirt from Glasshouse shirtmaker.
- Outdoor gear from United by Blue gear.
FOR YOUR MCM
- Tie, pocket square and / or bowtie from Faburiq tie.
- Button-down shirt from Glasshouse shirtmaker.
- Outdoor gear from United by Blue gear.
FOR YOUR WCW
- Bralettes, leggings and / or lingerie from HarMonica lingerie.
- Handbag from Catrinka Handbag.
FOR YOUR SECRET SANTA AT WORK
- Tea, gift box and / or coffee from Ajiri Tea.
- Candles from Keap Candle.
Lightfoot Market makes it easy to shop based on your values. Check it out!
Happy Shopping!
