The concept of Fair Trade is to ensure that the actual producers of commodities are adequately compensated for their efforts and not being squeezed into poverty situations by market forces. Find out how a little change to your morning cup of coffee can have a big impact in the Third World...
Our Speaker today was our incoming Pres. Paul Labelle on the topic of Fair Trade Goods and specifically coffee. Jennifer Jackson did the introduction and Paul was off and running. Well maybe not exactly running as the Water Tower Inn's usual wireless Internet was not working, the hard wire feed substituted as an alternative was not working and Paul was left to promise to email all of us a link to the video he planned to show on the Fair Trade movement. He explained that the concept of Fair Trade is to assure that the actual producers are being adequately compensated for their efforts and not being squeezed into poverty situations by market forces. This is being accomplished by producer co-operatives who are having their products certified by a North American Fair Trade Standards organization and then sold through a half a dozen distributors here in Canada. Paul believes there is a rising interest among consumers in purchasing these products in the belief that they are doing the right thing even if it comes at a premium cost. The objective of providing a better life for people in poverty stricken circumstances ties in with Rotary objectives and Paul has hopes of developing a sales exposure for things like coffee and chocolate which can both support Fair Trade and increase Rotary awareness. He is looking for interested Rotarians to turn the idea into reality as he approaches his year as President. Step up and stay tuned. Peter Berlingieri did the formal thankyou and Pres. Joe added his personal thank you and appreciation for a direction Paul is intending to pursue.
Check out the video referenced by Paul at http://www.eq.tv
