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We've Made News! | CC Newsletter | Fair Trade News |
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Announcements:
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| Every year, Fair Traders all over the world join forces for "World Fair Trade Day." This year, May 9 was the special day and the Fair Trade Resource Network worked very hard to organize and promote the largest FT Coffee Break in North America. They surpassed their lofty goal of 55,000 participants and successfully reached thousands of consumers all over the continent! Congratulations FTRN and keep up the good work!! |
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| Earlier in May, the Fair Trade Federation -- an association of dedicated Fair Trade organizations in North America -- held elections for their 2009 Board of Directors. They've posted the results and we're thrilled to see that Coop Coffees' own Monika Firl will be joining the other new and remaining members for what will surely be a productive and collaborative year of Fair Trade! Check out Fair Trade Federation's website. |
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| In the face of these and many additional challenges particular to coffee farmer coops Catholic Relief Services (CRS) works with in Central America and Mexico, a 3-year Coffee Livelihoods program has been officially launched during an intensive 3-day planning session Jan 20 – 22 between the country coordinating heads from Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico. |
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| Chris, Luis, Monika and Jose of Maya Vinic on local radio station. |
| With so many labels and messages floating in the world of Fair Trade, how do we choose the "right" one? As companies of all shapes and sizes claim a stake in corporate social responsibility, the consumer is often left with mixed messages as to which claim or label is "legitimate." In a discussion hosted by a local NGO in Montreal, key actors of the Fair Trade and responsible consumption movements -- Coop Coffees included -- addressed these issues and the various perspectives at play. | |
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| In March, roaster-member Amavida participated in an international, 9-year running peace project called the Art Miles Mural Project in which communities -- and children in particular -- are encouraged to create peace through art. This year, the organization that coordinates the mural-painting project selected the Seaside community, home to Amavida, to host the event. After a trip to Chiapas, Amavida delivered several murals produced by producer partner Maya Vinic's children. | |
| On 10 February 2009, fires broke out near the Pecul (Santo Tomas) volcano, located in the western region of Guatemala. The wildfire spread across multiple departments and municipalities, wreaking havoc on miles of cultivated land. Nearly a month after the fires began, several areas had yet to receive assistance from the government. This is merely one example of the harsh challenges farmers all over the world must face in their daily work to produce the foods and commodities on which consumers in the North depend. |
Cooperative Coffees e-Newsletter
Read previous newsletters here.
 | In this issue... As big companies and overextended businesses slow up and pull back in these tough economic times, the Fair Trade market and movement press on with what seems to be unprecedented force! As usual, Cooperative Coffees has been busy broadening and deepening Fair Trade at home and abroad! The work (with a good dose of fun!) never ends! Enjoy your read! |
Fair Trade in the Media
With Fair Trade growing as an industry, its impacts and future direction are being questioned by insiders and observers alike. News media are examining the role of Fair Trade in international markets, and how it affects both consumers and producers. Check out these articles to learn more about the ongoing debate concerning the future of Fair Trade. Go to Fair Trade in the Media.
- Fair Trade "holds its own" despite recession, according to CBC findings
In the current economy, reports of growth are hard to come by. If anything, businesses are happy when they're not recording losses. But as an article from Canada's news agency, CBC, indicates - and as we've seen among our own members at Coop Coffees - it appears the Fair Trade way of doing business is helping to dampen the effects of the crisis. Not only is Fair Trade helping to strengthen and empower producers in the Global South, it's also supporting and protecting the small businesses that live and work by its principles. Read more...
- Cadbury commits to Fair Trade
Cadbury, the British company responsable for the U.K.'s top-selling chocolate bar has announced that they will increase their purchases of Fair Trade certified cocoa to 15,000 tonnes by summer 2009. The company is jumping on the Fair Trade bandwagon that has caught the attention of many big shot coffee and chocolate companies. They've set up a blog devoted to the "Cadbury Cocoa Partnership" -- the name they've given their initiative to enter the Fair Trade market. Read more...
- IFAT changes its name (and logo) to WFTO
During the IFAT annual general assembly held in Sri Lanka in October 2008, the decision was made to change the organization's name to World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). The following article appears on the WFTO's newly revamped website in February and the organization will be in a period of transition over the next several months. Read more...
- What does Washington's big change mean for Fair Trade?
As the newly inaugurated President of the United States steps up to the plate to fill one of the most powerful positions in our day, the world anxiously awaits to see what will become of his ambitious plans – and promises – for change. Promoters of Fair Trade are just as eager to see what will become of Obama’s rhetorical shift towards fairer and more equal terms of international commerce. Read more...
- FLO: The Verdict is Out!
In December, the Board of Directors at FLO met to vote on a series of revisions in their Fair Trade standards. The revisions were the product of nearly two years of consultation, discussion, and review. As the world of Fair Trade expands, it’s only natural that certifying bodies review the standard norms and seek to improve them where necessary. Now, the verdict is out and although we might have hoped for see steps towards more radical change towards greater producer empowerment in the basic framework, we are pleased to see - at the very least - that FLO recognizes the need for intentional review. Read more...
It has been a while now since scientists first warned us about climate change and its potential impact on the planet. Now that global warming is an indisputable fact, it is only a matter of time before it becomes an effective threat to our lives and environment. Unfortunately, some of the people most likely to be affected by this change are farmers living in southern countries. Fair Trade might be a part of the solution for coffee producers. Read more...
