Fair trade campaign kicks off in Missoula

For the past several weeks, I’ve been meeting with staff and volunteers at the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center here in Missoula. I’ve joined a group of volunteers who are helping with a campaign to bring Missoula into the ranks of Fair Trade Cities. So far, there are about a dozen such cities across the United States. The first city to earn the Fair Trade Town distinction , Media, Penn. Missoula can earn the Fair Trade designation if some 150 businesses sell at least two Fair Trade products, thereby contributing to a Fair Trade economy based on “justice, dignity, empowerment, transparency and respect for people and the planet,” according to Alisa Gravitz, executive director of Green America, an environmentally responsible green, non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. For a more complete overview of Fair Trade, visit the Fair Trade Action Web site.

Did you know October if Fair Trade Month?

To become a Fair Trade Certified product, five principles need to be followed:

Fair Trade principles include:

•Fair prices: Democratically organized farmer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price and an additional premium for certified organic products. Farmer organizations are also eligible for pre-harvest credit.
•Fair labor conditions: Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited.
•Direct trade: With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.
•Democratic and transparent organizations: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers decide democratically how to invest Fair Trade revenues.
•Community development: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement trainings, and organic certification.
•Environmental sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers’ health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.

It seems American Indian could become a part of the Fair Trade process. I’ve sent an email to ask as much, considering the tremendous arts and crafts market in Native America. Here’s what TransFair USAstates on it’s Web site about new product research: “We are very much interested and compelled to extend our certification to non-agricultural products. Our vision at TransFair USA includes delivering a Fair Trade model to any population that is disadvantaged as a result of supply chain inequities and disadvantageous terms of trade. We are thrilled and humbled that non-agricultural industries have recognized the success of Fair Trade in agriculture and have approached TransFair USA to explore if the rigor of Fair Trade Certification can be applied to their respective industry.”
 I suggest American Indian communities try to get involved as a way to provide a market for tribally-produced goods.

Meanwhile, any business owners who are interested in the Fair Trade Missoula Campaign can pledge to support Fair Trade. It’s easy. Here’s a link to the pledge form.

Please contact Katie Ghen Simpson, store manager,at the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center if you have any questions. She can be reached at 406-543-3955 or by e-mail at
Katie@jrpc.org

Jodi Rave