Sustainable Development | Mankato Area Fair Trade Town Association

April is Earth Month

Earth Month takes place in April every year. This annual awareness month is an opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for change around the issues most impacting our planet! Throughout Earth Month, environmental leaders and activists all around the world present plans, strategies, and solutions for mitigating and preventing further damage to the planet and its resources. Earth Month, which surrounds the all-important Earth Day on April 22, feels (and arguably is) especially important this year, as our window to make the urgent changes we need to address the climate crisis — from adapting to the damage we can Read More

Paulette Bertrand2023-04-03T03:38:29+00:00April 3, 2023|Fair Trade, MAFTTI, Sustainable Development, Uncategorized|

Women & Fair Trade

Women are incredibly important in the global agriculture system! Supporting gender equality and the development of women leaders in farmer organizations is a key piece of Fairtrade’s work to make global trade fair for everyone involved. What does this look like? Here are a few examples: - Fairtrade Standards that prohibit discrimination based on gender or marital status, prohibit sexual harassment or abuse, and require farmer organizations to develop a gender equality policy - Women’s Leadership Schools that strengthen the business skills of women farmers

Paulette Bertrand2023-03-11T23:58:39+00:00March 11, 2023|Clothing, Fair Trade, MAFTTI, Mankato, Sustainable Development|

Sustainability is Top Trend for 2023

Fair Trade America WASHINGTON – Dec. 13, 2022 – Fairtrade America – the world’s most recognized label for social justice and sustainability – today shared five key trends the organization expects will drive consumer choices and brand action in 2023. Despite inflation and rising prices on products we use everyday, from gas to groceries, research shows that many consumers are still making thoughtful choices while shopping, choosing products that align with their values. As these consumers become increasingly interested in and informed about supply chains, sourcing and product sustainability, brands will need to invest in practices that drive loyalty among Read More

Paulette Bertrand2022-12-31T21:49:48+00:00December 31, 2022|Fair Trade, MAFTTI, Mankato, Sustainable Development|

E.L.F. BEAUTY is joining #FairTradeCertified

People made your makeup. E.l.f. Beauty can now certify that they are well treated E.l.f. Beauty is the first cosmetics brand to partner with Fair Trade USA to certify its manufacturing facilities. Now, other brands in the $550 billion beauty sector can follow. You can buy Fair Trade coffee, chocolate, and bananas. But what about your lipstick and eyeliner? Since 1998, Fair Trade USA has certified products that meet its standards for the working conditions in its supply chain. Initially, it worked largely with farmers, but it has since expanded to laborers in other sectors, including apparel. On September Read More

Paulette Bertrand2022-12-31T21:16:40+00:00October 25, 2022|Fair Trade, MAFTTI, Mankato, Sustainable Development|

WFTO Joins Green Economy Coalition

WFTO has been formally accepted as a member of the Green Economy Coalition, a broad network of allies working for structural economic reform. Together with trade unions, progressive businesses, NGOs, UN agencies and citizen’s groups, WFTO is moved by the belief that green and fair economies are possible, necessary, and achievable. Click here to read more about the Green Economy Coalition and its projects.

Paulette Bertrand2022-10-19T18:18:05+00:00October 19, 2022|Sustainable Development|

Shop Fair Trade Certified

We’re excited to announce the launch of the new fairtradecertified.org website! The new website streamlines the information you need, like figuring out who offers Fair Trade Certified products and where to buy them. Tell you friends to join our community, and take a look at our recent blog articles! Shop fair Trade here: https://www.fairtradecertified.org/our-community/shop-fair-trade/

Paulette Bertrand2022-10-16T16:56:19+00:00October 1, 2022|Fair Trade, MAFTTI, Mankato, Sustainable Development|

Signs of Fair Trade

Consumers have access to more information about products of small farmers and artisans in the Global South than ever before. Fair Trade certification has evolved significantly over the last 25 years and helped to increase incomes in poor communities in many countries. Fair Trade has been a leading force in the global sustainable development movement, notably in the formation of the ISEAL Alliance. Fair Trade certification is not, however, the only expression of 'Fair Trade'. Dedicated business associations play their part, as do companies that, for differing reasons, eschew third-party certification and rely on their own commitment to Fair Trade Read More

icadmin2022-03-18T16:05:31+00:00July 28, 2017|Fair Trade, Sustainable Development|