Tribute to Kuapa Kokoo’s President, Madam Christiana Ohene-Agyare

Christiana, known as “Maa” or “Auntie Christy” to those she worked with, was the first woman elected to head Kuapa Kokoo – the biggest cocoa farmers’ cooperative in the world. In this role, Christiana made history in the cocoa industry, and continued to empower women by her words and actions. Thanks to her leadership, the cooperative – part owners of Divine Chocolate – saw increased benefits to farmers and the community, grew its market share, and won awards for its work. Christiana was an outspoken supporter of fair trade and believed that Kuapa Kokoo’s participation in the Fairtrade system was critical to its success:

Fairtrade has delivered significant additional income to Kuapa Kokoo and through our democratic processes we have allocated that money. A significant part has been paid directly to our farmer members and to projects that directly benefit them. Without the support and extra income which Fairtrade and our Fairtrade partners deliver, we wouldn’t be here today and cocoa farmers would still have no say in their own futures.

We are deeply saddened by this news. Our sincere condolences go to Christiana’s family, friends and everyone who worked with her. Christiana touched many lives, and we know that her legacy will live on. To learn more about Christiana’s impact, read the tributes from Kuapa Kokoo and Divine Chocolate.

Iriaini Tea Farmers Adding Value at the Source

Charles Njuguna is one of 6,000 farmers in Othaya, Kenya, and a co-owner of the Iriaini Tea Factory. Every day he works from 7 a.m. till 4 p.m., tossing tea leaves in the basket strapped on his back. Charles is a small-scale holder working a plot of 0.5 acre. When his four children grow up, Charles says they will have to find their own way in life as his parcel is too small to divide and distribute.

“I have nothing to give them, apart from an education,” he admits.

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Fero Cooperative: We do things differently here

Standing at Fero Cooperative’s collection station, a steady stream of people with sacks of red coffee cherries perched on their backs lines up at the scales. A dignified man with tattered clothes carefully weighs the bags as another notes the weight and the farmer’s name. He tears off the receipt and hands it to the farmer, keeping a copy for the cooperative, and the bag gets added to the pile.

December is high time for the harvest in Yirgalem, Ethiopia, and farmers from the Fero Cooperative struggle to keep up with the ripening cherries. All hands are on deck as men and women make for the fields. Some of the children also lend a hand after school.

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New Coalition to Address Low Wages in the Tea Industry

Fairtrade International (FLO) has joined a coalition working to ensure living wages for workers on tea plantations. Read their write-up below to learn more about the study that identified wage issues affecting plantation workers, and what this new coalition is doing to find solutions. We’re proud to be part of an international Fairtrade system that is constantly working to support and champion farmers and workers around the world!

Fairtrade International part of new coalition to address low wages in the tea industry

Fairtrade International has long been championing and advocating for industry-wide change in the tea sector. Today we welcome the Oxfam and Ethical Tea Partnership report Understanding Wages in the Tea Industry and are committed to playing an active role in the new coalition bringing together tea industry actors to address the challenges of low wages in the tea industry.

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Hans P. Theyer to Lead Fairtrade America

(Washington, DC) – Fairtrade America, the new organization representing the international Fairtrade system in the United States, today announced the appointment of Hans P. Theyer as its executive director.

“I have seen first-hand the incredible difference fair trade can make for farmers, workers and entire communities in developing countries,” said Hans. “I am proud to lead the U.S. organization that will expand the benefits of the international Fairtrade system, and I look forward to raising public awareness and working in partnership with companies, retailers, producers and all fair trade advocates that share our vision of building a vibrant fair trade movement in the United States.”

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It’s Time to Make the Global Food System Work for Smallholders

Seventy percent of the world’s food is produced by 500 million smallholder farmers; this group also represents half of the world’s hungry people. A newly-released report, ‘Powering up Smallholder Farmers to Make Food Fair’ (PDF), produced by the Fairtrade Foundation calls for urgent action to support smallholder farmers by laying out a five-point agenda for action and calling on leaders to use their influence to put smallholder farmers into the heart of governments’ trade policy and international business practice.

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10 Things to Do on World Fair Trade Day

Happy World Fair Trade Day!

Celebrate the movement that’s helping empower small farmers and workers in developing countries to get better trade deals. Here are 10 ways you can support fair trade, including some gift ideas for Mother’s Day (you know, just in case you forgot that it’s tomorrow).

1. Enter the Fairtrade America World Fair Trade Day Prize Drawing for a chance to win a basket of Fairtrade certified chocolates, coffee, tea, flowers, ice cream, honey, fun t-shirts and more!
2. Don’t just buy your mom flowers. Get her Fairtrade certified flowers from BloomQuest or FreshBlooms.
3. Get out your oven mitts, and make your mom a special treat using Fairtrade certified ingredients.
4. Learn about how Fairtrade producers are making a positive impact and share a story with a friend:
   * Watch a video about how 45,000 cocoa farmers in Ghana are investing in businesses, providing scholarships for children’s education, and launching social projects that benefit their entire community.
   * Read about how 40 saffron farmer families in Iran created the world’s first Fairtrade certified saffron producer organization.
   * Listen to music about the importance of religious tolerance created by the Delicious Peace coffee cooperative in Uganda.
5. Shop for Fairtrade certified products in a store near you. Here is a list of products available in the United States. If your favorite store doesn’t have a Fairtrade certified product that you are interested in, ask them to carry it.
6. How’s your Karma? Check out Fairtrade Canada’s Karma campaign and do some good.
7. Make sure you’re following Fairtrade America on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for the newsletter. Don’t miss important fair trade news, producer stories and more.
8. Check to see if your town is a Fair Trade Town and show your support for participating retailers and supporting community organizations. If you don’t live in a Fair Trade Town, join a campaign or start your own.
9. Attend a World Fair Trade Day event in your area using Fair Trade Resource Network’s calendar.
10. Share the infographic below about why fair trade is important with your friends on Facebook.

World Fair Trade Day Prize Drawing 2013

­­­­­­­­­­­­World Fair Trade Day is May 11 with hundreds of activities taking place throughout the month. This yearly celebration recognizes all the ways that producers, ethical companies, community organizations and individuals are working together so that farmers and workers everywhere can enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfill their potential and decide on their future. Fair trade is making a positive difference for millions of small farmers, including these farmers in Ghana, Honduras, Iran, and Uganda.

To celebrate World Fair Trade Day, we are delighted to offer fair trade supporters in the United States a chance to win a basket of Fairtrade certified chocolates, coffee, tea, flowers, ice cream, honey and more! Click here to enter the Fairtrade America World Fair Trade Day Prize Drawing.

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