This weekend, South Sound residents can enjoy a free cup of joe, tea or cocoa while supporting a global campaign for justice in trade with Third World countries.

Traditions Cafe & World Folk Art will offer the complimentary drinks Saturday as part of an international coffee break to celebrate World Fair Trade Day.

The Olympian caught up with Traditions owner Dick Meyer to talk about fair trade and the event.

Question: Tell us about World Fair Trade Day. Have you done events like this in the past?

Answer: World Trade Fair Day officially began in 2001 as a world event, but even prior to that, there were European countries celebrating it with events.

Since I’ve been in Olympia – 13 or 14 years – I’ve always done them. The idea is, and not exclusively one day, to sort of fo cu s collectively on the idea of fair trade by doing a bunch of things at the same time.

In the past, we’ve done fair trade fashion shows and shown films. Last year, we did a fair trade soccer game.

This year, the focus is on coffee. …

We’re joining the Fair Trade Coffee Break to record how many participate worldwide in drinking fair trade coffee, chocolate or tea in midday events. The coffee breaks are taking place all over the world.

Q: Why coffee?

A: It’s such an intoxicating drink and it’s the second most traded commodity in the world. Coffee is so widely traded, it led to people’s awareness about what fair trade is.

Q: What does fair trade mean?

A: Fair trade is about creating partner ships with low-income artisans and farmers that are based not only on mutual respect but a respect that demands equity in terms of fair prices and fair wages and demands.

Q: Will people notice a difference in taste in a fair trade beverage?

A: No, here in the Northwest we’re pretty used to finer quality coffees. There are some roasters in town that only use fair trade certified coffees.

To compete with the marketplace, fair trade coffee needs to be quality.

Q: What will you drink during the coffee break?

A: There’s a company out of Seattle called Choice (Organic) Teas. I have a number of fair trade green teas that I drink. I rotate.

Q: Are there any other World Fair Trade Day coffee breaks planned in South Sound?

A: Not at this point, but we’re trying to contact some local roasters and other groups that might do it. (Groups interested i n having a fair trade coffee break can get more information at the event’s Web site, www.ftrn.org.)

Q: What are some of the new trends in fair trade?

A: We carry a fair amount of clothing. By and large, in the past, there hasn’t been a large amount of clothing. Crafts are good for the home and gifts, but we all need clothing.

Two of my workers started a co-op in India, it’s called Creative Handicrafts. It’s for clothing. …

Fair trade is sort of this bottom-up marketing, which is the very reas on you can pay people on fairness and equity. But it’s also important to build new m arkets and create new markets.

New clothing is part of those new trends. There’s a long-term commitment to come up with new ideas. There are hopefully new ideas popping out all of the time.

There’s such a commitment because you know these people personally and you want to make all of this work – to work together to try and build it and keep expanding and growing it.

Lisa Pemberton writes for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-704-6871 or lpemberton@theolympian.com