April 2010

Fair Trade Weeks Are Almost Here!

I Love Fair Trade Stickers Canadians from coast-to-coast will celebrate National Fair Trade Weeks this year, which run from May 1 to 15, with World Fair Trade Day landing on May 8.

Events are being planned, documentaries will be screened, products will be tasted, displays will be built.... The only question is, what will you do this year?

If you're planning anything, be sure to let us know by writing to communicationstransfair [dot] ca.

And don't forget, TransFair always has a wide range of Fair Trade promotional materials you can order right from our website at absolutely no cost to you.

Better order soon though, because Fair Trade Weeks are just around the corner!

Editorial

The Changing Tide

By Lowell Ewert

Lowell Ewert, University of Waterloo There is much to celebrate about Fair Trade. Its dramatic growth and increased acceptance as a legitimate social and economic movement are cause for optimism. That large corporations have started to dabble in marketing Fair Trade products is a further indication of its permanence in the marketplace. For a movement that began as an alternative and which still represents less than .01% of global trade, being emulated by transnational actors is a remarkable accomplishment.

This is, however, far less than the whole tale. The most inspiring aspect of the Fair Trade story remains largely untold. There has been a greater depth of influence and impact than is often explicitly acknowledged.

SOFA

SOFA The Small Organic Farmers Association (SOFA) was officially established in 1997. There were originally 182 members. SOFA obtained organic certification that same year, and was certified as a Fair Trade producer organization in 1998.

The association is located in the centre of the island of Sri Lanka in the Gampola region. SOFA's farmers grow tea, spices, and vegetable crops for both home consumption and the export market. Most of these smallholder farmers use land which was formerly part of a state-run tea plantation.

Maple Syrup Banana Muffins

mmmuffins Use the season's fresh, local maple syrup in this delicious recipe. Your mother will be especially impressed with your culinary creativity if you spring these on her this Mother's Day.

Bananas moisten and sweeten any dessert, and these muffins are no exception. The spices are well-balanced and make for the most scrumptious mmmmuffins you've probably ever tasted.

Submitted by Nettie Cronish, Women's Cullinary Network

Largest Fair Trade Conference in North America Seeks to Transform Global Community

Boston - From September 10-12, 2010, the Fair Trade Futures Conference will bring together entrepreneurs, students, advocates, faith community members, concerned citizens, interested individuals, and others in Quincy, MA for the largest Fair Trade event in North American history.