The History and Progress of Fair Trade

This Saturday, May 12th is World Fair Trade Day.  Celebrations and events will take place in more than 70 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and the Pacific Rim.  Leading the celebrations are groups such as the World Fair Trade Organization and the Fair Trade Resource Network.  I decided to celebrate by sharing the history of Fair Trade with you. 

So what is Fair Trade?   

The Fair Trade system ensures that people along every step of the supply chain receive fair wages.  It is a system that ensures that workers and communities are treated with dignity and respect.  It is a system that ensures that the artisans and producers take steps to preserve our environment.  Fair Trade strives to create long lasting relationships with producers in developing world and businesses and consumers in the developed world.

How did Fair Trade begin?

The Fair Trade movement began back in 1946 when a woman named Edna Ruth Byler began importing needlecrafts from low income women in South America.  She laid the groundwork for the first Fair Trade organization, the Mennonite Central Committee.  Closely followed by SERRV International, in 1949, both organizations had a goal to develop fair trade supply chains in developing countries.  The products were almost exclusively handicrafts sold by volunteers in “Charity Stores” or “Ethnic Shops”.

The modern fair trade movement began in the United States and really took shape in Europe in the 1960s and quickly gained popularity.  A movement built on a approach to economies where price is directly linked to the actual production costs and where all producers are given fair and equal access to the markets.  The slogan, “Trade not Aid”, gained international recognition by 1968.

 The first Fair Trade Label, “Max Havelaar”, was founded in 1988. This independent certification allowed the goods to be sold outside Worldshops (Fair Trade Shops) and into the mainstream, reaching a larger consumer segment and boosting fair trade sales significantly. This also allowed customers and distributors alike to track the origin of the goods to confirm that the products were really benefiting the producers at the end of the supply chain.

The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), formerly the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT), was created in 1989, and the The Fair Trade Federation (FTF), formally known as the North American Trade Organization (NAATO) was formed in the late 1970s when individual alternative trade organizations began holding yearly conferences for groups working in fair trade. Both groups followed the internationally recognized Fair Trade principles of fair wage, gender equality, long-term relationships, concern for the environment, democratic decision making, safe working conditions, respect for culture, and prohibition of child exploitation.

Fair Trade USA, formally known as TransFair opened it’s first “National Headquarters” in 1998 as is now the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States.  In 2002 Fairtrade International (FLO), launched the international “FairTrade” certification mark.  These two groups are currently the two main organizations that certify Fair Trade products and the Fair Trade Federation is the main network of organizations in North America fully committed to Fair Trade. 

The first fair trade agricultural products were coffee and tea.  This was quickly followed by dried fruits, cocoa, sugar, rice, grains, spices and nuts.  But it was coffee that quickly became the main growth engine behind fair trade, claiming up to 50% of the total alternative trading organization turnover in 2005.

So, where are we now?

The availability of Fair Trade products have expanded well beyond needlecrafts and coffee to include chocolate, sugar, rice, quinoa, fresh fruit, flowers and a wide variety of jewelry, housewares and apparel.  We now see Fair Trade products at Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Whole Foods and other large retailers.  Even fast-food merchants like McDonald’s and Dunkin Donuts now sell Fair Trade Coffee. You would be surprised at how often you have a Fair Trade option when making a purchase.

According to the Fairtrade International, by 2008, products certified by FLO amounted to approximately $4.98 billion worldwide, a 22% year-to-year increase.  Although this represents only a tiny fraction of world trade in physical merchandise, over 7.5 million producers and their families were benefiting from fair trade funded infrastructure, technical assistance and community development  projects.

New data from Fair Trade USA reveals that the organization had another record setting year for coffee.  Over 138 million pounds of Fair Trade Certified coffee were imported into the United States, a 32 percent increase over 2010. This growth in imports enabled Fair Trade coffee cooperatives to earn an unprecedented $17 million in community development premiums, up 61 percent from 2010.  Since Fair Trade USA began operations in 1998, cooperatives have earned over $225MM in additional income through a combination of community development premiums and better prices.

The past five years have seen the rise of entire towns committed to raise awareness of Fair Trade, beginning with Media, Pennsylvania in 2006 to Healdsburg as the 24th town in Sept 2011.  There are now currently 26 Fair Trade Towns in the U.S. including San Francisco, Berkeley, Chico and over 500 Fair Trade Towns in the U.K.   

The Fair Trade economy is based on justice, dignity and respect for people and the planet.  We all have a choice when we make a purchase and I encourage you to think about yours.  So this Saturday, May 12th, join in to celebrate opportunity, celebrate equality, celebrate culture and celebrate a future where trade is fair.

Our local community of Healdsburg has taken action to spread the word about Fair Trade and how your participation makes a difference.  To learn more about Fair Trade or find out where you can find Fair Trade products in Healdsburg, please see their website,www.fairtradehealdsburg.blogspot.com/

Local Students Lead Healdsburg To a Bright Future

Because of our work in Fair Trade, it is not uncommon to be approached to support or sponsor a group or organization in issues involving social responsibility.  This year, we were approached by clubs from each of our local high schools to take part and sponsor public events that each were separately holding on the same weekend.

We are honored for the opportunity to support students in something they feel passionate about.  But, I must admit, giving up our Saturday and Sunday with a list of projects due was not an easy decision.  As promised, we proudly attended both events and what I experienced and learned at each event is what has inspired me to write about it.

The first event, on Saturday, was the Earth Day Festival in the Downtown Square.  This event is the product of the Progressive Club of Healdsburg High School.  The goal was to celebrate the Earth, educate and empower each other to take action in preserving the world we live in.  They invited many of the progressive elements of our community to display and present.  This included Congressional candidate Norman Solomon, KPFA’s Miguel Molina, Amy Jolly of the Climate Protection Campaign, Rosa Azucena Becerra from the Committee for Immigrant Rights, Don McEnhill from Russian River Keepers, Ivis Sanchez from the North Bay Organizing Project, C.J. Holmes from Occupy Our Homes, County Supervisor Mike McGuire and myself to represent Fair Trade Healdsburg.

They also provided a wonderful line-up of local entertainers, including Hoytus and One Heart, Happy Accident, Hannah & Sky, The Hopheads, Tricky Dick & the Hooligans, Attila Nagy, Misael Chavez, Stare at the Sun, and the HHS Jazz Hounds. As a perfect fit in celebration of our Earth they included the American Indian Movement’s Native Resistance Drum Group, Danza Azteca Xantotl.

In addition to speakers, entertainment and food they managed to have over 30 booths from various community, environmental and social justice organizations. They had a student art display, a Children’s Garden and face painting.  I even spotted Yo Yo Man in his festive green hat impressing guests with his well executed tricks and that was just day one!  

Sunday’s event was the Fair for Fairness, held on the West Plaza behind Bear Republic.  This was the creation of a group of students from the Rio Lindo Adventist Academy that call themselves REVO, short for Revolution.  The goal was to bring together organizations to raise awareness about the issues of Human Trafficking and modern-day slavery, to create a new future for survivors and to raise enough money to actually free slaves. This event featured several powerful informational booths including, the International Justice Mission, the Not for Sale Campaign, World Vision, Project AK-47, C.A.S.E. Act & Californians Against Slavery, A New Day for Children and representatives from Fair Trade Healdsburg.  

For an event sharing such heavy issues they managed to maintain a very festive and positive atmosphere through live music and featured speakers that offered practical ways to change the world for the better.  The two local bands included Trent Yaconelli and Featherweight.  Ben & Jerry's served Fair Trade Ice Cream, talented bakers made decadent treats with Fair Trade and local ingredients, faces were painted, Frisbees were flying, hacky sacks seemed to float and children were laughing.

There was a lot of valuable information to gather and learn at each event but the reason I felt compelled to write about it was not because of the information but because of the students and those that inspire them to make it all happen.  As I previously stated, I felt like I really could use the weekend to get projects done but we attended as promised and after attending I realized just how important it is to make time to support and honor these dynamic students for all their hard work.

Although each event was different, they shared many similarities.  Each event was created by students for the public.  The goal of both events was to make the world a better place for all.  Each event required months of preparation by many students to make it all happen.  There was fund raising needed to pay the $1800 fee to use each site in addition to the funds needed to support the causes they felt strongly about.  There were sponsors to obtain, car washes and bake sales to be held.  The Progressive Club held a "Movie and a Speaker" Series, weekly campus recycling and Battle of the Bands to raise funds.  

The students of the Revo Rio Lindo had to prepare their case to present to City Council for the permission to use the Plaza.  There were signs and flyers to be made, press releases to prepare and organizations to contact.  Letters, emails, phone calls and door to doors correspondence was required in order to gather the organizations participating.     

Logistical planning included layout, schedules, parking, set-up and take-down.  Banners were made, artwork was created.  Countless hours of work and preparation put in by local high school students and the staff that inspire them not including the hours spent by volunteers donating their time to make delicious bake goods.  I even learned of a mother who single-handedly made several hundred tamales to donate!  I observed the students as they worked in a well orchestrated event from set-up to take-down, all with smiles on their faces.  They did this not because they were told to, they did this because they wanted to, and from all appearances they looked to be happy doing it.

Each of these events were very worthwhile to attend on their own merit. But in learning just how much time and effort was required by everyone involved, I realized just how important it is to make the time to appreciate what our students create.  Next time you see an opportunity to attend such an event, rearrange your schedule to make it happen.  Whether just for a few minutes on your lunch break or spend the afternoon.  We know that these students are our tomorrow and from where I stood that day, our future looks bright.

To see more pictures of both events, see our One World Fair Trade Facebook Page @ https://www.facebook.com/oneworldfairtrade and REVO Rio Lindo’s @https://www.facebook.com/groups/revorio/ 

Fair for Fairness 2012!

Fair Trade Healdsburg joins the Rio Lindo Academy for their Fair for Fairness Revo Event in the West Plaza, Healdsburg on April 22nd from 12-4pm.  The event will include Music, Speakers, Food and Information.  For more information check out RIOLINDO.ORG/REVO and FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/REVORIO

Earth Day Festival in Healdsburg

On Saturday, April 21^st, Fair Trade Healdsburg joins the Progressive Club of Healdsburg High School for the 10^th Annual Earth Day Festival in the downtown Healdsburg Plaza from 11am–5pm.  The goal is to host many of the progressive elements of our community in celebration.  We’re also there to educate and empower each other to take action to preserve the world we live in.

Speakers include Congressional candidate Norman Solomon, KPFA’s Miguel Molina, Amy Jolly of the Climate Protection Campaign, Rosa Azucena Becerra from the Committee for Immigrant Rights, Don McEnhill from Russian River Keepers, Ray Ballestero from Fair Trade Healdsburg, Ivis Sanchez from the North Bay Organizing Project, C.J. Holmes from Occupy Our Homes, and County Supervisor Mike McGuire.

Entertainment for the day includes Hoytus and One Heart, Happy Accident, Hannah & Sky, The Hopheads, Tricky Dick & the Hooligans, Attila Nagy, Misael Chavez, Stare at the Sun, and the HHS Jazz Hounds. As well as popular music; the American Indian Movement’s Native Resistance Drum Group, Danza Azteca Xantotl, and Yo Yo Man will perform.

The stage will be embraced by over 30 booths from various community, environmental and social justice organizations. There will be food and there will be a Children’s Garden complete with free face painting and visits from Yo Yo Man (bring your yo yos).  Art and science displays will grace one section of the plaza with student art that is available for purchase.

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3/30 FTH meeting minutes

Revo update:

Revo has been approved for the West Plaza on Sunday April 22^nd. Hours 12-4

Fair Trade Healdsburg will have a table where items donated and information will be handed out. Tables goal is to educate and raise awareness for our mission.

Table will have a display of local Ft items and where to buy.  

FTH rep to speak among others

As a way to raise money we will be baking treats using ft ingredients to sell.  

Revo has it's own facebook page everyone please “like” and “share”

WFTD update:

scavenger hunt set for May 6^th is canceled due to lack of retailer participation.

WFTD may 12^th celebration will be held in One World Fair Trade as well as Shelton's (tie in with their customer appreciation day) where Ray and Annette will be present as reps for the group.

Dues/expenses:

Decided as a group to continue to save what we have in he group account.  

Upcoming actions discussed:

Ray will be contacting press for upcoming events

informational handouts to be printed to give away at upcoming Earth day and Revo.

Kim will post earth day event and Shelton's WFTD celebration on FTRN calendar and contact Coop Green America about their supply chain handout.

Any fund raising ideas to help off set costs please share.

Any ideas for blog please send to Ray

Fair Trade Healdsburg- minutes 2/25/12

Fair Trade Healdsburg- minutes 2/25/12

·         Updates for Earth day-

Ray will be speaking at 2:45

Food donations from the following-  Honest Tea, Traditional Medicinals, Divine Chocolate, Equal Exchange, hopefully more to come.  These will be shared for the 2 events and upcoming school education.

·         Revo update from Steve

Waiting for final ok from city.

Rio Lindo students are interested in any ideas Fair Trade Healdsburg has for the event, please contact Steve to share input and ideas.

·         Group Logo and tagline

Motion made to approve chosen design and tagline, approved. 

Ray will work on colors choices to the logo and possible input from Alta Gracia and Healdsburg Signs

·         Group bank account opened with dues deposited. Name of account is Fair Trade Healdsburg (any checks to be made out to that name) Bank is North Coast Bank in Healdsburg.

·         Motion made for monthly $20 dues to be an optional due and suggested amount, accepted

·         A FTH donation form will be created for future use

·         Farmers market update

Ray will forward his messages between Farmers market contact Mary Kelly and himself about the connection between fair trade and local Ag. the focus of the farmers market.

·         Upcoming educational events

Krytalynne to give presentation on fair trade chocolate to local grade school students, showing

Bean affair employee education meeting delayed.

·         World Fair Trade Day is May 12^th.  Ideas discussed for celebration/educational event-

Scavenger hunt including all FT retailers around the square, at each location a group rep. with info.  Get retailers to donate FT prizes.  “Passport” given out to participants, stamp at each location and grand prize at the end?

Sunday May 6^th day of event to kick off the week.

·         Next meeting set for Friday March 30^th, 6 pm Healdsburg Community Church.  Any information or ideas for upcoming events to be emailed in the meantime.