Barrie Goes Fair Trade

	Barrie goes fair trade. Mark Hamley, proprietor of Hamley’s Tea & Coffee Co. in Barrie, blends and roasts his own coffee. Hamley's is one of many city businesses that are part of the fair trade program. He estimates the demand for fair-trade coffee has more than quadrupled since he opened the doors of his shop at Minet’s Point five years ago. Stan Howe photo

BARRIE - Barrie taxpayers who indulge in a morning cup of pick-me-up are  helping third-world farm labourers escape exploitation on coffee plantations around the globe.

In support of the grass-roots bid to qualify Barrie as a Fair Trade City, city councillors passed a resolution recently to purchase fair-trade products wherever possible.

Since the spring, coffee and tea brewed at city hall is fair-trade certified, said Bruce Morton, who instigated the Barrie Fair Trade Working Group (BFTWG) with fellow activist Bob Jowett.

Bringing together many individuals and organizations around the city already committed to protecting the producers of the world’s most valued crop, the BFTWG was presented last November with the YWCA’s 2009 Peace Medallion Award.

After crossing off each of the six steps required to meet certification criteria – from community engagement to availability of product in May, the group enabled Barrie to become one of 600 cities around the globe (and the largest in Ontario) with the right to call itself a Fair Trade City.

Vancouver has also attained the status and Montreal has since indicated a similar intention.

“North America has a way to go to catch up with Europe,” said Mark Hamley, whose fair-trade coffees and teas make up about half the stock in his Minet’s Point Road roastery. In season, he also adds fair-trade hot chocolate to the mix.

“I definitely liked the concept when I was opening the store, but didn’t know how it’d go over,” recalled Hamley, who provides retail product to walk-in consumers at Hamley’s Tea & Coffee Co. as well as supplying local cafes. “But once people found out we carried it, word of mouth spreads – it’s the most powerful tool.”

While Hamley hasn’t seen a dramatic rise in fair-trade coffee demand since the city’s status change, he has charted a significant increase over time.

“When we first opened, about one in eight customers would ask for fair-trade coffee,” he recalled. “Now it’s one in four or five. It’s definitely gained traction.”

The ripple effect of those shopping choices are significant when dealing with the world’s number-two commodity (second only to oil).

Action taken at the town or city level gets the attention of big business when enough communities participate, said Morton. And changes – that extend beyond coffee and tea – are starting to happen as a result.

Currently in Barrie, fair-trade coffee, tea, chocolate, hot chocolate and sugar are available. BFTWG is hoping to welcome bananas, granola bars, mangoes, soccer balls, flowers, clothing, wine and honey to the line-up in the near future.

With a guaranteed bottom-line directed back to workers through their farm cooperatives, “fair trade is the initiation of worldwide minimum wage,” said Morton, who says the fair-trade program teaches business skills while leveling the playing field. “I’m absolutely convinced the private sector gives up the quality of life we have.

“This isn’t a hand-out – they still have to compete with other fair-trade organizations. That’s what turns me on about it.”

For more information or to locate local fair-trade vendors, click here.

mlawsonsimcoe [dot] com