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About Us Founded in June of 2007 with the declaration of Brattleboro as a Fair Trade Town, Fair Trade Brattleboro is a local, grassroots initiative whose mission is to advocate for Fair Trade practices through education, community outreach, and business support to promote equitable and sustainable economic networks both in Brattleboro and beyond. | What is Fair Trade?
"Fair trade" is a phrase that is laden with all sorts of political baggage and it's definition varies widely; however, we feel as though this definition provided by the Fair Trade Federation, sums up the spirit and ideals of the fair trade movement:
"Fair trade is a system of exchange that seeks to create greater equity and partnership in the international trading system by: - Providing fair wages in the local context,
- Supporting safe, healthy, and participatory workplaces,
- Supplying financial and technical support to build capacity,
- Ensuring environmental sustainability,
- Respecting cultural identity,
- Offering public accountability and transparency,
- Building direct and long-term relationships, and
- Educating consumers."
Fair Trade Brattleboro believes that Fair Trade principles can be applied not only to the international marketplace, but also to the local marketplace. Small producers all over the world struggleto compete with subsidized corporate agriculture, both locally and abroad. We support buying locally, and when that is not possible, buying fair trade. | What is a Fair Trade Town?
The Fair Trade Towns campaign is based on principles and guidelines set forth by the Fairtrade Foundation in the UK, where the first Fair Trade town was recognized in 2000. In the US, there is no single governing body that coordinates or monitors Fair Trade Towns. Rather, towns and cities may publicly declare that they are Fair Trade once they meet five goals set forth by the Fair Trade Towns campaign.To be recognized as a Fair Trade Town or City in the US, the following goals should be met: - A local Fair Trade steering committee is formed that meets on a regular basis. The aim of the committee is to increase awareness of and demand for Fair Trade products through education, outreach and events.
- Fair Trade products are used by a number of local organizations, such as places of worship, schools, hospitals and offices.
- The local campaign attracts media attention and visible public support, including press and radio.
- The town or city council passes a resolution supporting Fair Trade and the local campaign.
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