Welcome to the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association’s page about FAIR TRADE. Scroll down to read about: Upcoming Events, Why is Ballston Spa a fair trade town? Which places in town actively support fair trade? What is Fair Trade? and If I Buy Fair Trade am I still Buying Local?
UPCOMING EVENTS:
October is National Fair Trade Month! Ask about fair trade at the businesses where you shop.
October 18, Meet with Pedro Ascencio from Las Colinas Coffee Cooperative in El Salvador and Peter Buck from Equal Exchange to hear about the difference that fair trade makes. First Presbyterian Church, 10 AM. RSVP to Meg: 885-4258
October 22, Third Annual Fair Trade Conference, Ballston Spa High School, 8:30 AM – 12:30PM
Click here for a flyer about the conference:
Click here for a registration form:
October 31, Reverse Trick or Treating! 100,000 Kids across the US will spread the word about organic farming and fair trade by giving out fair trade chocolates as they trick or treat. To find out more, please stop in to Mango Tree Imports or attend the Conference on October 22 at the Ballston Spa High School!
FAIR TRADE TOWNS: In December of 2008 Ballston Spa was declared a Fair Trade Town. We were just the 9th in the US, and now one of just 24 communities (some small towns and some big cities)
across the US that can claim this distinction.
This means that, based on our population of just over 5000 residents we have:
- at least 3 businesses who sell fairly traded products
- at least 2 community organizations support fair trade
- a steering committee which meets regularly
- (we always need more members on the Ballston Spa Fair Trade Coalition)
- consistent media attention about fair trade
- a resolution written and passed by our local government supporting fair trade
LOCAL PLACES THAT SUPPORT FAIR TRADE:
Faith Organizations which serve fair trade coffee:
Christ Episcopal Church, West High St.
First Presbyterian Church, West High St.
United Methodist Church, Milton Ave.
Cafes or Restaurants which serve fair trade products:
Coffee Planet
Fifty South
Front St. Deli
Whistling Kettle
Retail Stores or Services that use or sell fair trade products:
Ballston Spa Veterinary Clinic
Blue Caboose Framery
Living Well Healing Arts Ctr and Spa
Mango Tree Imports
Midtown Wine and Spirits Shop
O’Brien Pharmacy
Strolling Village Artisans
Wild Thyme Whole Food & Tea Co.
If you own or work at a business in town and are interested in becoming more involved in fair trade or if you are wondering how you can participate, please contact the Ballston Spa Fair Trade Coalition.
BSFTC email: fairtradeballston@gmail.com
Follow the BSFTC on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ballston-Spa-Fair-Trade-Towns/145722848845033
Find information about Ballston Spa on the National Fair Trade Town’s page:
http://www.fairtradetownsusa.org/towns/
FAIR TRADE is defined as a social and economic movement which involves trading with producers in the developing world as a way to work towards poverty alleviation. The producers can be farmers and some of the most commonly traded farmed products are: coffee, tea, cacao, cane sugar, bananas and rice. These are all products that are not grown in the US. Producers can also be artisans including, but not limited to weavers, jewelry makers, potters and many, many more.
The guiding principles of fair trade are:
- Direct, Long-Term Relationships
Importers of Fair Trade products and other fairly traded goods endeavor to establish long-term stable relationships with producer groups.
- Creating opportunities for producers
A strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development
- Transparency and accountability
Transparent management and commercial relations to deal fairly and respectfully with trading partners
- Capacity building
Develop producers’ independence. Provide continuity, marketing advice and product development
- Fair / living wage
Price agreed upon through dialogue and participation enabling production which is socially just and environmentally sound.
- Gender equity
Women’s work is properly valued and rewarded. Women are paid fairly.
- No forced child labor
If children participate in the production of goods, it is not at the expense of…
Their education
Their well-being (safe conditions)
Their security
Their play time
- Environmental sustainability
Sustainable environmental practices
Responsible methods of production.
Organic, shade grown
BUY LOCAL, BUY FAIR, BUY BOTH
The Ballston Spa Fair Trade Coalition has always believed that we should all live and support local whenever possible. In fact, supporting local businesses in town IS living local. With fair trade, almost all of the farmed products are from the developing world and they are not grown in the US. Coffee, sugar cane, rice, bananas, tea, cacao for chocolate, are all not grown in the continental US. In this case fair trade is the farmer’s market, gone global! In the case of world artisans many of the products are made from recovered or recycled products that we perceive as trash in the US. Oil drums, soda cans, paper just name a few items that are reused and made into beautiful pieces of art or jewelry. Plant fibers such as bamboo are commonly carved into bowls or made into scarves or earrings. The BSFTC believes that if you can buy something locally made, please do. If you cannot, please consider fair trade as a healthy and sustainable alternative.
For more information about fair trade, please visit the following websites:
World Fair Trade Organization:
http://www.wfto.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=14
Fair Trade Federation:
http://www.fairtradefederation.org/
Fair Trade Resource Network:
http://www.fairtraderesource.org/
