Fairtrade Labeling Organization, and Alliance for Responsible Mining, are reported to be finalizing the first standards for Fair Trade Certified gold. These partners are creating a distinctly different certification system than one being developed for socially responsible gems and precious metals by the Responsible Jewelry Council. The latter system is not calling itself Fair Trade, rather socially responsible. See full article.
International News
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Holy Joe’s Cafe Ministry September 8, 2009 -
Photo Courtesy of Holy Joe’s Ministry by Jacqueline DeCarlo Last week, Cheryl-a leader at SERRV (http://serrv.org) which began as a faith-based organization-mused in a blog comment about how “action which grows from spiritual understanding” is part of the Fair Trade movement today. One effort that comes to mind is the “Holy Joe’s Café” ministry (http://holyjoescafe.blogspot.com/). Thomas Jastermsky, of the First Congregational Church in Connecticut where the project started, reached out to me at Catholic Relief Services (http://crsfairtrade.org) knowing that CRS’s partner Equal Exchange (http://www.equalexchange.coop/interfaith-program) was involved in Holy Joe’s. Tom is a big believer not only in God but also of supporting U.S. troops! Since 2006 Holy’s Joe’s has helped 405 military chaplains provide a Coffee House ministry to troops in 120 locations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Chaplain Peter St. Martin says “Coffee has the effect of making the chaplain’s space a nice place to hang out. It is in these moments that God and I do our best work, I believe: in casual conversation with no specific agenda and before the burden someone is carrying has erupted into real trouble.” Organizations such as United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church, and the United Methodist Church are involved. Congregations donate coffee to the ministry and in turn chaplains create a coffee house atmosphere so troops can relax, talk with a chaplain, or just get a good cup of coffee. If your community is interested in putting its faith into action, get more information at 888-970-7994 or contact Tom via email: HolyJoesCafe “at” aol.com If you have more examples of the old adage “faith works wonders” please comment below. Number of FT Banana Farmers Decreases by 40% in Dominica September 1, 2009 -
As the cost of producing bananas rises, many farmers in Dominica are turning away from Fair Trade as they are failing to earn high enough profits. Last year, there were over six hundred farmers selling Fair Trade bananas, but now that number has decreased to three hundred and fifty farmers. Many feel the drop in farmers is the result of the global market and not the fault of the National Fairtrade Organization. The farmers are in need of greater support and assistance to reduce costs and increase prices. See the full story in Dominica News Online. N. America’s Largest FT Meeting Planned for September 2010 in Boston August 27, 2009 -
10 leading FT organizations in N. America are organizing a Fair Trade Futures conference, scheduled for September 10-12, 2010, that will bring together at least 751 current and prospective Fair Trade entrepreneurs, students, academics, interested non-governmental organizations, media representatives, producers, consumers, and activists. The first such conference, hosted in Chicago in 2005, attracted 750 attendees. The aims of the upcoming meeting are to have participants:
The organizers have contracted the Fair Trade Federation, and FTRN, to plan and host the event. Organizers will announce further details soon. For now, save the date: September 10-12, 2010! Cadbury to Launch FT Sales of Flagship Chocolate in 3 Countries August 26, 2009 -
Canada, Australia and New Zealand commit to certifying Cadbury Dairy Milk as Fairtrade by early 2010 Combined with Britain and Ireland, the five markets will quadruple Fairtrade benefits for cocoa farmers under Fairtrade terms Today, Cadbury extends its commitment to Fairtrade by confirming that three more markets are to receive Fairtrade certification for the flagship Cadbury Dairy Milk brand by early 2010. This move in Canada, Australia and New Zealand will bring the independent FAIRTRADE Mark into millions more homes in five of Cadbury’s key chocolate markets. Read Cadbury’s full press release. Panel in Montreal Discusses Various FT Certifications August 24, 2009 -
These days, it is increasingly difficult for conscious consumers to know which products and certifications to trust, whereas socially responsible businesses are have a harder time determining which certifications to associate with their products. The Montreal NGO, Equiterre, attempted to address this issue through a panel discussion called “Fair Trade: what are the guarantees?” In this conference, six panelists, including representatives from the Fair Trade Mark and the Fair Trade Federation, explained the various certifications. To read more, check out details of the panel. FT Banana Producers Call for Increase in Minimum Price August 24, 2009 -
The price of Fair Trade bananas may increase in the near future, easing some of the heightened stress put on Farmers as the cost of production has been steadily on the rise, while the minimum sale price has not been reviewed since 2005. Fair Trade producer organizations from throughout Latin America and the Caribbean held a two-day meeting in Santa Maria, Colombia. This meeting concluded with the signed Declaration of Santa Maria, which called for an increase in the minimum price paid for Fair Trade bananas. This declaration has been sent to a standard committee, which will make recommendations to the Fairtrade Labeling Organization’s Board at the end of August. A September meeting between producers, importers, exporters, retailers, Fairtrade National Initiatives and the FLO will determine the new prices for Fair Trade bananas. Find more details at Dominican News Online. Global FT Sales Grow 22% in 2008 July 13, 2009 -
Despite the global recession, worldwide sales of Fair Trade Certified products grew by an impressive 22% in 2008 as consumers spent an estimated $4 billion on Fair Trade products globally. In the U.S., sales grew 10% to $1.06 billion, and in Canada, sales grew 67% to $180 million. The UK, after growth of 43%, has surpassed the U.S. for most FT sales by country, at $1.23 billion. The main product areas of Fairtrade growth were in the following product categories: 1. Global sales have doubled for Fair Trade tea (112%) and for Fair Trade cotton products (94%); 2. As the products with the highest sales volumes, Fairtrade coffee sales increased 14% to 66,000 metric tons (MT) and the market for Fair Trade bananas grew by 28% to 300,000 MT. Fair Trade sales grew by at least 50% in seven countries, including Australia and New Zealand (72%), Canada (67%), Finland (57%), Germany (50%), Norway (73%), and Sweden (75%). The largest markets for Fair Trade products continued to experience strong growth, as sales of Fair Trade certified products increased by 43% in the United Kingdom and 10% in the United States. Fair Trade products also gained popularity in a number of new markets, including in Eastern Europe, Eastern Asia, and South Africa. As of the end of 2008, there were 746 Fair Trade Certified producer organizations representing over one million and a half individual farmers and workers. There are at least another 70,000 members of affiliated organizations that belong to Fair Trade certified producer groups that also benefit from Fair Trade, which include women’s groups and other groups not directly involved in the production of Fair Trade products, like cattle herders. Source: Fairtrade Foundation, UK, Press Release Palestinians to Sell First Fair Trade Product December 29, 2008 -
buzzle.com
Fair trade olive oil will hit the shops in 2009, while the occupied territories see economic growth and a drop in unemployment. The glimmers of an economic revival for Palestinians will grow early next year with the launch of their first fair trade product. Fair trade olive oil will hit the shops in 2009 as tourist numbers in Bethlehem reach their highest levels for a decade. Israeli and Palestinian officials report economic growth for the occupied territories of 4-5% and a drop in the unemployment rate of at least three percentage points. (more…) Scotland could become Fairtrade trailblazer in 2009 December 23, 2008 -
news.stv.tv
Green Party chief Robin Harper has called on Scottish Ministers to buy ethically traded products. Scotland could be a Fairtrade nation by next Christmas if the Scottish Government and other bodies acted, it has been claimed Green MSP Robin Harper urged all public bodies to consider buying Fairtrade products when making purchases. (more…) |
