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TIP: If a story moves you, use the comment feature for that story to write a response. Dialogue is a key to growing the movement!
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CommonDreams.org Susie Mesure and Steve Bloomfield
Once, people laughed at the notion that fair trade could infiltrate the profit-hungry world of retail. Yet new figures from the Fairtrade Foundation will reveal tomorrow that UK consumers take the issue very seriously, spending half a billion pounds on Fairtrade-branded products last year.
However, the rush to fair trade is prompting questions about how “fair” it really is to small farmers in developing nations. The rate of sales growth rocketed during 2007, up 80 per cent on the previous year as companies from Sainsbury’s to Virgin Atlantic stepped up their commitment to fairly traded goods. The total value of Fairtrade sales hit £490m, up from £273m in 2006. (more…)
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The Grist Tom Philpott
While I was waxing euphoric last week about Fair Trade and ultra-fancy chocolate ahead of Valentine’s Day, interesting things were happening in the chocolate world.
Regulators in Germany raided the offices of seven corporate chocolate makers — including Nestle, Kraft, and Mars — investigating allegations of price fixing. Six food conglomerates process half of the world’s cocoa, giving them tremendous leverage on price. Usually, they use their market power to squeeze farmers in the global south; evidently, they may now be using it to squeeze consumers in the global north. Canadian and even U.S. antitrust regulators have launched similar investigations, Bloomberg reports in the above-linked piece.
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The New York Times Samuel G. Freedman
One day seven or eight years ago in Bangkok, Joe Falcone began to feel an uncomfortable sensation of futility. The grandson of garment workers, he had been working in Asia’s clothing factories for nearly a decade, making certain they complied with labor and environmental laws. The idea was to assure American consumers their apparel and shoes were not made in sweatshops.
But, as Mr. Falcone recalled in a recent interview, he had come to wonder if the laws were strong enough. (more…)
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The Seattle Times Melissa Allison
Forget earmarks and political donations. Pura Vida Coffee, of Seattle, won the right to sell coffee at the U.S. House of Representatives through an old-fashioned taste test.
“When we decided to switch to Fair Trade coffee, there was some nervousness about whether that coffee is as good as regular coffee, which is one reason we had the taste-off,” said Dan Beard, the House’s chief administrative officer. Pura Vida began supplying the House with coffee in December. (more…)
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The Oakland Tribune Sarah Terry-Cobo
OAKLAND — Many early morning BART riders jump start their day with a cup of coffee and on Thursday, thousands of commuters can get their java for free.
Partnering with the non-profit Transfair USA and Tully’s Coffee, the transit agency will offer coupons from 6 to 9 a.m. for a free cup of coffee at six stations as part of its rider appreciation campaign.
What makes this promotion unique is that the three organizations are teaming up to promote environmental sustainability and create awareness of Fair Trade products to socially conscious Bay Area residents.
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San Jose Mercury News Sarah Terry-Cobo
OAKLAND — Many early morning BART riders jump start their day with a cup of coffee and on Thursday, thousands of commuters can get their java for free.
Partnering with the non-profit Transfair USA and Tully’s Coffee, the transit agency will offer coupons from 6 to 9 a.m. for a free cup of coffee as part of its rider appreciation campaign. (more…)
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The San Francisco Chronicle Audrey Cooper
Nothing says “I love you” like a cuppa free joe.
Yes, they might have recently raised ticket prices, but the lovely people at BART are organizing a giveaway Thursday at six BART stations, starting at 6 a.m.
Volunteers will be handing out 50,000 coupons for a free fair-trade latte or drip coffee at Tully’s Coffee. They say the promotion goes until 9 a.m., but we sort of doubt there will be enough coupons to last, so get there early. (more…)
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EarthTimes.org PR Newswire
OAKLAND, Calif. — For the fourth year in a row, TransFair USA — the only third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States — was named a Social Capitalist Award winner by Fast Company magazine and the Monitor Group. California-based TransFair USA was listed among the “Top-Performing Nonprofits” in this year’s awards. The awards recognized 45 nonprofits that use the tools of business to solve the world’s most pressing social problems — ranging from poor health care in developing nations to unequal education access, homelessness, unemployment and substance abuse in the United States — and that have demonstrated a consistent and unusually large impact on society. (more…)
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Bon Appetit Joanne Camas
What is it with Irish rockers and charitable causes? Brian Crosby of the band Bell X1 decided to grab some musician friends (from outfits such as Snow Patrol, The Frames/ONCE, Crowded House, and The Cardigans) and record tracks for a CD to benefit Oxfam’s Fair Trade campaign.
“We wanted to make an album that benefited this great cause but also one whose songs related to each other in a relevant way,” Crosby explained.
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Fast Company .
Equal Exchange is an unusual company — a worker-owned co-operative dedicated to Fair Trade — that has made a success of tilting against the windmills of market forces for the purpose of demonstrating that the viability of economic democracy, and the way your food reaches your plate, needn’t impoverish those who grew it. (more…)
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