World Fair Trade Day

"Do you want to save the world? How about a Fair Trade banana covered in Fair Trade chocolate spread? Very tasty and completely just." That's what many people heard at San Francisco's Embarcadero on Saturday when the Bay Area Fair Trade Coalition gave away Fair Trade Products to hundreds of people to raise awareness about the variety of Fair Trade options available.


The event was part of World Fair Trade Day, and our coalition was one of many organizations to participate. We brought a huge assortment of Fair Trade teas, coffees, bananas, chocolate, and sugar. We would explain the concept of Fair Trade to people who knew nothing at all, and allow people to take something that looked interesting to them. "Look for the label" was our simple message, and people in general were very excited by the variety of products and the ease with which you can identify a product as "Fair Trade Certified". We also handed out 100 Where-to-Buy lists for the San Francisco and East Bay Areas, giving people an easy way to find the FT products that they had just learned about. Overall, we feel we made a lasting impression on many people. One enthusiastic woman grabbed a Fair Trade candy bar and said,

"I've worked for Safeway for years, and I'm going to find out if we have any of this Fair Trade stuff. I know I've seen the kosher and organic labels, but I've never seen this one."

BAFTC wins Community Activist Award!

Last week, the San Francisco Bay Guardian awarded the Bay Area Fair Trade Coalition with the Community Activist Award as part of their annual Small Business Awards. Along with being written up in last weeks Guardian, five of our coalition members got to attend the awards ceremony hosted by the Guardian founders Bruce and Jean Brugmann. Here is an excerpt from their press release:

"Jean and I and the Guardian staff are happy to salute the small business community with our second annual Small Business Awards. Our congratulations to the winners, all working in their own way to transform San Francisco into a sustainable local economy. And our congratulations to the thousands of small business people in San Francisco, and the merchant groups behind them, who daily struggle valiantly against daunting odds to keep their businesses going, their neighborhoods vibrant, and San Francisco an incomparably great city." -By Bruce B. Brugmann

Greg Burton of the BAFTC accepted the award on behalf of the coalition. He explained the concept behind Fair Trade and about the work the coalition is doing. He even got a chance to talk about our hope of becoming the first Fair Trade City. It was inspiring to hear about the work of all the other winners as well. The event was a lot of fun with food, drinks and lots great company! Check out the article: http://www.sfbg.com/entry.php?entry_id=449