“Be Fair” When You Shop & Cook

EATING TOGETHER AS A FAMILY IS NOT just about food. It helps teach children to listen and take turns. Family meals also can lower the risks of teen drug use and raise a child’s academic performance, studies show. Eating can also teach us to be fair. Fair trade refers to trade where fair prices are paid to producers in developing countries or disadvantaged communities.

“Be Fair” is the campaign for Fair Trade Month, which is in October. But proponents hope it will last indefinitely.

“The campaign tries to get to the heart of the simple concept of fairness, whether it’s holding the door open for others, tipping a waiter or being fair to farmers when you shop and cook,” says Jenna Larson of Fair Trade USA in Oakland.

Though best known for coffee, certified Fair Trade products also include fruits and veggies, tea, cocoa, sugar, cashews, clothing, wine, body care items, flowers—even jewelry.

They can come from Latin America, Asia and Africa, among other places.

The initiative is growing in tandem with the sustainability movement. Fair Trade certified coffee imports hit a record high last year, according to Fair Trade USA, the leading third-party certifier of fair trade products in
North America.

The fair-trade movement is growing in our region too. Here are some examples:

BRIARPATCH CO-OP
All of BriarPatch’s coffee beans are organically grown and fair traded, with varieties from all over the world. Other Fair Trade products include teas, chocolates, cashews and flowers.
GV BriarPatch.coop

CAROLINES COFFEE ROASTERS
Carolines offers Fair Trade certified coffees, and it does so with integrity. “Yes, we do offer (them), but only if they are a great coffee on their own, not solely because they’re fair trade certified,” is Caroline’s motto.
GV CarolinesCoffee.com

CELLO CHOCOLATE
When available, Cello purchases certified Fair Trade and organic cocoa beans. Its chocolate is made from single origin beans to showcase each region’s unique character. The chocolate is now sold at BriarPatch and Carolines, among other places.
NC CelloChocolate.com

SUMMER THYMES BAKERY & DELI
Summer Thymes features an Espresso Bar with organic Fair Trade coffee. It also offers Fair Trade teas.
GV SummerThymes.com

STUCKI JEWELERS
Stucki sells Fair Trade gems. The gems are closely tracked from mine to market to ensure they meet strict protocols, including adherence to fair labor practices and environmental protection, according to producer
Columbia Gem House.
GV StuckiJewelers.com

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