Do You Want to Know Where The Cotton in Your Jeans Came From?

Company Believes Tracing Origin of Jeans Will Stimulate U.S. Jobs

ARCANUM, Ohio, Nov. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- All American Clothing Co. said today it is the first jeans manufacturer in the world to offer consumers new "USA Traceability" technology enabling buyers of jeans to know where they were grown and sewn in the U.S. The company believes providing this jeanetics will help educate and motivate buyers to join the company in supporting USA jobs in cotton growing and manufacturing jeans.

The USA Traceability technology is designed to track authenticity in every process involved in manufacturing jeans to verify they're USA Made, from farmer's field to consumer's closet.

"For the first time, consumers will receive proof their jeans are 100% USA 'grown and sewn' by Americans and not by foreign suppliers or manufacturers," the company said.

To trace the origin of their jeans, consumers can log on to the company's website and enter the "traceability number" that comes with their jeans. A map opens to show the exact farm that grew the cotton used in their jeans.

Thanks to the collaboration of All American Clothing and other USA companies in the processing channel, consumers are guaranteed they've supported USA labor and raw goods. All American Clothing said it has reviewed each participant in the production channel to confirm they meet or exceed the requirements of the FTC Act. They contracted a third party, Made in USA Certified ™ www.usa-c.com to investigate and certify compliance with the Federal Trade Commission requirements. All American Clothing earned a "Made in USA Certified Seal."

Purchasing USA-made products supports our country and jobs, the company said. As consumers and citizens, purchasers of American-made products help maintain USA jobs and companies that finance such tax supported assets as schools, roads, policemen, firemen, health functions and unemployment compensation.

All American Clothing Co. is a model success story for small companies struggling today. They are a David vs. Goliath, striving to foster loyalty among customers who support middle class workers. All American Clothing Co. is conceivably the poster child for a "small business success story" in a distressed economy. To find out more about the passion and effort it takes to build a business in today's economy go to www.allamericanclothing.com (888-937-8009) and tab "Our Story."

Shop "All American Clothing" Here

State Product Organizations

I've known that in Idaho we have a great organization (Buy Idaho) to promote Idaho made products.  Some other states have similar efforts.  Although their main emphasis may be for us to buy local, why not use this information also to shop other states for American-made products?  I have added a list of links at the bottom of this page with a link for each state.

This was not as easy as I thought.  Each state is unique.  When I Googled some states, a very good link popped right up.  For some of them, I searched and searched and never did find a central source of information. I guess we're fortunate to have a good one.  In fact, it seems that some of the less populated states do have better promotion -- possibly since we have to try a little harder to find a market because of our low population within the state.

Alaska's information about products seemed more aimed at "this is how to find products in Alaska" since they're a frontier state.  Hawaii's information is mostly for how to pick up souvenirs to take home.  And Arizona's information is swarming with political articles, since there have been boycotts and reverse boycotts relating to their stance on expecting the federal government to enforce immigration laws.

Unfortunately, none of the information I've come across so far is as user-friendly as it should probably be, compared to, say, an on-line catalog from any particular company.  There may be a little too much in the way of gifts and souvenirs and a lack in the way of practical, every-day necessities.  And the information is sort of a jungle.  Of course, the links I've provided are not the only ones in each state.  Hopefully it is a good start.

I would suggest that we each start a document to keep track of the information that is most useful to us.  Sort of like a personalized catalog.  Why not draw up the template for it now, like walking down the aisles of a superstore.  Make headings for the different departments you would find in a superstore, then fill in sources for items in each of these departments in your own personal cyber store that only carries American-made products!

What's the Buzz on Buying American/Foreign Trade?

Here's an interesting place to read opinions.  On Amazon.com, search for books on the topic, then read the reviews written by the customers.  Such as this one: http://www.amazon.com/China-Price-Chinese-Competitive-Advantage/dp/B001KOTUCY/ref=pd_rhf_shvl_2  . . . "And doesn't it strike you that the people who shop at, say, Wal-Mart every day are the very same people who tend to lament the fact that US manufacturing jobs are off-shored to China every day. We all make a choice, every single day."  Then you can scroll down the page to where it says "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought" to see similar books to review.  Kind of like the Cliff Notes of current events!

Is Soy Milk "Green"?

Today's breakfast:  I'm using up the last of a carton of organic vanilla soymilk on my cereal.  Hmm . . . I wonder where this was made?  (I'm beginning to take note of such things.)  It doesn't say!

"Distributed by Kikkoman Sales USA, Inc."  It's a processed food.  It comes in an aseptic Tetra Brik package.

On the other hand, the jug of milk in my fridge comes from a dairy that has a plant in my county, the jug is recyclable, and milk is rated lower on the scale of cold-sore inducing foods at this helpful site:  http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/diet_and_nutrition_with_herpes.htm#LysineArginine

You will probably have different criteria, but for me the scales have tipped in favor of real milk.  The reason I buy the soy milk is because it is handy to have on the shelf in case I run out of dairy milk (a true family emergency worthy of a husbandly or teen snarl).  Okay, I see my powdered milk comes from Middleton, Wisconsin.  Not local, but better than "distributed in the U.S. by . . ."  and it would serve in a pinch if I forget to buy milk in time for breakfast.