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Fair Trade Towns USA News

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In this section, learn the latest news from Fair Trade Towns and Communities around the USA. This is the official news source for Fair Trade Towns USA — visit www.fairtradetownsusa.org to learn more.

Ballston Spa supports Fair Trade effort

- Schenectady Gazette, NY

If you get a cup of joe or pot of tea here, the village wants the people who picked the coffee beans or tea leaves thousands of miles away to have gotten a fair deal.

The Village Board is backing a campaign to declare Ballston Spa a “Fair Trade Town” by the standards of the international Fair Trade Towns movement.

“I think it’s truly the right thing to do. The principles and concepts of fair trade are admirable,” said Mayor John P. Romano. (more…)

Montclair brews a fair-trade pot of coffee

- The Star-Ledger, NJ

Maxwell House Special Delivery has been the java of choice in Montclair’s town hall, where a coffee machine in a hallway off the manager’s office provides the daily caffeine fix.

But Maxwell House’s “good to the last drop” blend, which traces its aromatic origins to 1892 and whose slogan is attributed to a 1907 comment by President Theodore Roosevelt, might not be welcome in town hall.

In its place might be the fair- trade variety — the product of a resolution, adopted by the governing body, that declares Montclair to be a “fair trade town.” (more…)

Making Mankato a ‘fair trade’ town

- Mankato Free Press

The potential for the Mankato community to become a designated “fair trade town” will be discussed at a public gathering Tuesday.

Centenary United Methodist Church in downtown Mankato will host the 7 p.m. overview of fair trade practices relating to production and sale of such goods as coffee, tea and chocolate. A video will be shown on fair trade coffee production, given the fact that it’s the second most-traded commodity in the world behind oil. (more…)

A fair trade

- The Norman Transcript

A group of Norman residents are organizing to promote something near to their hearts: Fair trade.

“It is our obligation to do what is right, not only for ourselves but for our environment and for marginalized farmers and workers,” said Ajit Bhand, a math instructor at the University of Oklahoma.

Earlier this year, Bhand founded Norman Fair Trade, an action group that promotes fair trade products and raises awareness about fair trade. The group aims to help Norman become an official Fair Trade Town. (more…)

City to become ‘Fair Trade Town’

- Chico Enterprise Record

City Councilors are taking steps to make Chico a “Fair Trade Town.”

The Chico City Council voted Tuesday 5-2 to pursue a resolution supporting fair trade and to commit to serving certified fair trade products at its meetings, one of five requirements to become a certified Fair Trade Town.

The City Attorney’s Office will prepare an official resolution, which will go before the council at a future meeting. (more…)

Reversing Halloween: Fair trade treats seek to sweeten workers’ lives

- Daily Hampshire Gazette

What a difference a year can make. Last year, three families participated in Reverse Trick or Treating. This year there will be 100, plus several school groups.

Reverse Trick or Treating is just as it sounds. When given candy by neighbors, children give back fair trade chocolate with a flier telling of child labor in the cocoa industry, specifically in West Africa, said Yuri Friman, chairman of the Amherst Fair Trade Partnership. (more…)

Group wants Chico to be ‘Fair Trade Town’

- Chico Enterprise Record

A local group hopes its efforts will lead to the certification of Chico as a “Fair Trade Town.”

The group is asking the Chico City Council to pass a resolution supporting fair trade and to commit to serving certified fair trade products at its meetings, one of five requirements to become a certified Fair Trade Town. (more…)

UWO first in U.S. to become a Fair Trade University

- uwosh.edu

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is the first university in the U.S. to become a Fair Trade University by making a commitment to do its part toward ending trade injustices that result in millions of people living in poverty. 

Fair trade products have been produced providing artisans and farmers with a living wage for their work and humane working conditions, while also protecting the environment. About 70 universities in Europe have Fair Trade University status, including the University of Birmingham and the University of Edinburgh, but UW Oshkosh is the first American university to do so. (more…)

Wed 6pm Fair Trade SMores Happy Hour in Dolores Park

- www.indybay.org

Meet with other fair trade supporters
and then go mess with the free trade bus tomorrow 9am

REMINDER: FAIR TRADE S’MORES HAPPY HOUR!  Wednesday, August 13 at 6:00 PM - Picnic Tables at Dolores Park in San Francisco

Bring Your Own: Graham crackers, marshmallows, something to roast marshmallows on (ie sticks, wire hangers), Fair Trade chocolate (which you can find near Dolores Park at stores like Global Exchange, Bi-rite, Rainbow, etc)* (more…)

With fair trade, we all come out winners

- www.suntimes.com

You’ve probably seen the fair-trade labels on products like coffee, tea, chocolate, and on some clothes and crafts.

Now a campaign is under way to make all Chicago a fair-trade city. Organizers with Chicago Fair Trade are calling on the City Council to pass a resolution in support of fair trade and to encourage city departments to buy fair-trade goods. (more…)

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