Fair Trade News

Published October 9, 2005

Wild Oats' Chief Talks Fair Trade, Boulder and Twenty Ninth Street
By Alicia Wallace, Camera Business Writer

October is National Fair Trade Month. TransFair USA, a certifying organization for Fair Trade products, defines "Fair Trade" assustainability where businesses pay farmers an equitable price for their products. Wild Oats Markets Inc., a Boulder-based natural grocery chain, sells Fair Trade certified products from coffee and tea to fruits and vegetables.

Perry Odak, chief executive officer of Boulder-based Wild Oats Markets Inc. spoke with the Daily Camera on various topics including his company's presence in Boulder, Naturally Boulder Day, competition with Whole Foods Market and fair trade, which Odak has seen the effects of first-hand with trips to countries such as Columbia.

"Are we doing the right thing? God yes," Odak said.

Below is an excerpt from that conversation, which has been edited for clarity and length. Kristi Estes, a Wild Oats spokeswoman, also was involved in the conversation.

Q: Why is it important for people to know about Fair Trade products?

Odak: "Customers want to know about a company's purchasing habits ... I think it's important for consumers to understand that Wild Oats is using its purchasing dollars for positive change, ensuring that these people are paid with a fair wage."

Q: What is Wild Oats doing this month in response to National Fair Trade Month?

Estes: "We have a lot of educational materials in the store and we're doing several events. Some of our stores are hosting banana farmers from Ecuador."

Q: Naturally Boulder Day, an event to raise awareness for the local and national natural products industries, is Friday. How is this event important to Boulder and the industry?

Odak: "What's important to this industry is that we have entrepreneurs that continue to come up with new products and ideas ... Boulder has been the cradle of organic and all-natural. I think it's important that we in Boulder support this and keep it here in this town."

"As a company, we are looking to support this by carrying local products."

Q: You will have a new store at the Twenty Ninth Street development in Boulder. What will Boulderites see at this store that they haven't seen before?

Odak: "They're going to see ethnic aisles ... They're going to see a sit-down sushi bar ... They're going to see a fully stocked wine, beer and liquor store on premise."

Estes: "This store is going to be quite a bit different."

Q: How will it be opening across the street from your competitor Whole Foods Market?

Odak: "The reality is when they came into town, they outflanked and out-stored our older stores ... Now the tables have turned and we will take Boulder back as having the best organic and natural (products available)."

Q: Do you have any other comments?

Odak: "Stay tuned. You will continue to see great things coming out (of Wild Oats)."

Contact Camera Business Writer Alicia Wallace at (303) 473-1332 or wallacea@dailycamera.com.