| The Fair Trade Beat is a monthly update from TransFair USA, the only third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the U.S. The Fair Trade Certified label guarantees that products were produced and traded in an economically, socially and environmentally responsible way. When you buy Fair Trade Certified products, you support the well-being of families, communities and the earth. |
December 2007 |
• Get Involved --- Brighter Holidays for Farming Families around the Globe, Host a Fair Trade Holiday Party, Branded
• Tune in to Fair Trade --- "Why Fair Trade?" GreenFest 2007, Connect with Fair Trade Video Contest Winner!
• New Products and Places --- Fair Trade Gifts
• Winning Campaigns --- Fair Trade in the Capitol!, Reverse Trick-or-Treating
• Producer Spotlight --- Koslanda Organic Tea Garden
• From TransFair USA --- Over $100M in Additional Farmer Income!, Now Hiring, Donate!
In a season that is often tainted by consumerism and over-consumption, give a donation to empower farmers and promote sustainable development in vulnerable communities around the world in honor of your loved ones. They will receive a beautiful card with a personal message from you and a description of the importance of Fair Trade.
Host a Fair Trade Holiday Party!Make your holiday a Fair Trade holiday by hosting an event to spread awareness of Fair Trade. Visit our Fair Trade Holiday Party ideas page for fun ways to make your party a little more fair.
Branded!Michael Conroy's new book Branded!: How the Certification Revolution Is Transforming Global Corporations outlines the ability of NGOs to affect global corporations, with an emphasis on certification systems and corporate social responsibility. A must read for the Fair Trade advocate!
"Why Fair Trade?" GreenFest 2007
We asked people at the 2007 San Francisco GreenFest "Why Fair Trade." We got a lot of great responses from the festival goers and put a few them together into this video. How would you respond?
Winner of the Connect with Fair Trade Video Contest!We asked you to vote for your favorite video from our Connect with Fair Trade video contest held this October. We are proud to announce that the winning filmmaker, Joleen Ong, will travel to Peru with a guest to visit Fair Trade farms. Congratulations Joleen! Click here to view Joleen's great video "Why I Fair Trade: The Sweet Taste of Global Justice."
|
Show your friends and loved ones that you care with holiday gifts that contribute to a sustainable economy. Every year, more Fair Trade products are available, making it easier to have a Fair Trade holiday. Every gift, whatever the reason or season, is an opportunity to profoundly affect its producer and to raise awareness in its recipient. Shop online at A World of Good, Global Exchange, Ten Thousand Villages - or check the Fair Trade Resource Network and our Fair Trade Gifts resource page for further resources. |
 A chocolate-stuffed stocking available from Global Exchange. |
Fair Trade in the Capitol!
Sam Farr (D-CA) and House of Representatives Chief Accounting Officer Dan Beard joined TransFair CEO Paul Rice to serve free Fair Trade Certified coffee on November 15 in Capitol Hill's Longworth Building. Dan Beard is spearheading Speaker Pelosi's "Green the Capitol" initiative, and Fair Trade coffee is part of the plan. Stay tuned for further announcements!
Reverse Trick-or-TreatingGlobal Exchange's Halloween experiment in reverse trick-or-treating was a resounding success! Approximately 2,500 groups of reverse trick-or-treaters visited 47,000 households in the US and Canada, distributing Fair Trade chocolates from Equal Exchange, Sweet Earth, Theo Chocolate, and La Siembra with informational cards attached to adult would-be candy givers. Global Exchange teamed up with non-profit organizations, Fair Trade Towns, and local coalitions nationwide to raise awareness of the Fair Trade alternatives to the usual Halloween fare. Get more info at www.reversetrickortreating.org.
The Koslanda Organic Tea Gardens are located in the mountains of Sri Lanka's Uva District. This estate, home to 596 workers and their families, has been producing "the green gold of the mountains" since the mid-twentieth century. Koslanda is committed to 100% organic and biodynamic production and promotes the recycling of resources through the use of cover crops, inter-cropping, and animal and plant waste recycling. Koslanda also encourages bio-diversity by re-introducing indigenous flora and planting a variety of native products such as spices, coffee, and nuts.
As the holiday season approaches, TransFair is proud to announce a Fair Trade success story! Between 1998 and the end of June 2007, over $100,000,000 in additional income was paid to coffee farmers and their organizations through sales of Fair Trade Certified coffee. Go Fair Trade!
Now HiringWe're growing! TransFair USA is an entrepreneurial non-profit organization that is the only certifier of Fair Trade products in the U.S. We seek talented individuals who are passionate about our mission and who bring a global perspective to work. If this sounds like your recipe for success, please visit our job listings page and "be the change you want to see in the world". TransFair is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Don't forget to make a tax-deductible donation before the end of the year!December 31st marks the end of the tax year. Don't forget to make your annual donation to support the strategic work of TransFair USA. We are deeply grateful for you financial support to ensure that the benefits of Fair Trade are extended to as many communities as possible around the globe.
