Fair Trade in Palo Alto

I found a wonderful little shop in downtown Palo Alto supporting
artisans in the developing world by selling fair trade items. The shop
is run by the Mid-Penisula chapter of the United Nations Association.
The items are obtained by grassroots businesses in  developing
countries like Cambodia and Kenya in order to aid the artisan's
living and working conditions while building awareness and
understanding of the work and ideals of the United Nations.
Through education, membership and advocacy they focus on the
importance of cooperation among nations.

The address is 552 Emerson Street. For more information.
Visit their websites:
http://www.unausa.org/
http://www.unamidpen.org/

 

 

Fair Trade Coffee comes to Cahtolic Charities

This just in. All the way from Tarrazu in Costa Rica, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County is now serving Peet's Coffee Fair Trade Blend to its employees. http://www.peets.com/shop/coffee_detail.asp?rdir=1&id=374

Fair Trade Wine

I found a Fair Trade wine, Wandering Grape Marbec-Merlot, in the
clearance bin at Target. The grapes for Waundering Grape wine are
from ten farms in the communities of Lavalle, San Martin and
Medrano areas in Mendoza, Argentina.  "Before Fair Trade, the
situation and conditions of the work place was horrendous and we
were treated very badly." say Nelson and Lorenzo, vineyard workers
for a small vineyard in Medrano. Through Fair Trade, Medrano
community members such as Nelson and Lorenzo benefit from the
sales of the Wandering Grape helping them to fund daycare from
preschool children, healthcare facilities and adult literacy programs.
Recently,the community members have voted on establishing a
sports facility providing soccer and rugby.

Fair Trade Sunday

This past Sunday; June 3, Fair Trade Ambassadors for Catholic
Relief Service hosted a Fair Trade Sunday at St Francis of
Assisi parish in San Jose. There were Fair Trade coffees, teas,
drinking chocolate mixes, and chocolate bars from countries
around the provided by Equal Exchange, a 100% Fair Trade
company. Parishioners enjoyed both a CUP OF JUSTICE AND
A CUP OF CHARITY in the Fair Trade coffee they drank as
well as in the products they purchased. For more information
visit crsfairtrade.org.

Fair Trade USA 2011 Fair Trade Almanac Released

The 2011 Fair Trade Almanac has been released with some interesting facts. There are over 1,000 producer organizations around the world. There are 17 in Palestine but none is Israel. Produce including fruits and vegetables has almost 200 producer organizations. 

 Check it out at http://www.fairtradeusa.org/blog/2011-fair-trade-almanac-released