Press Releases

DAVID MICHAEL TO OFFER FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED™ VANILLA TO CLIENTS

06/29/2006

PHILADELPHIA, PA – David Michael & Co., a leader in the vanilla industry, announces yet another first for the company. Through a partnership with TransFair USA, a non-profit, independent Fair Trade certification agency, David Michael is proud to provide our clients with the first Fair Trade Certified™ pure vanilla in the U.S. Market.
Almost a decade ago, David Michael & Co. addressed the organic concerns of our clients by offering one of the first organic vanilla products on the market. Today, David Michael answers the call for social responsibility. Fair Trade ensures that farmers around the world use sustainable farming methods and are paid a fair price for their crops, which leads to thriving communities and a healthy environment. When market prices fall below the cost of production, farmers are still guaranteed the Fair Trade price.

Because of Fair Trade, family farmers gain direct access to international markets in which to sell their goods. But Fair Trade doesn’t just benefit farmers, as there is a growing interest among consumers to make responsible purchases. In fact, Fair Trade Certified coffee is now the fastest growing segment of the specialty coffee market, and Fair Trade Certified Tea grew a record 187% in 2005.
David Michael will begin to offer its Fair Trade Certified vanilla immediately. However, due to a small number of certified growers, quantities are limited.

About TransFair USA
TransFair USA, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, is one of twenty members of Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO), and the only independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. TransFair USA audits transactions between U.S. companies offering Fair Trade Certified™ products and the international suppliers from whom they source, in order to guarantee that the farmers and workers behind Fair Trade Certified goods were paid fair, above-market prices and wages. FLO annually inspections producer organizations to ensure that strict socioeconomic development criteria is met using increased Fair Trade revenue, in addition to sustainable farm management, environmental stewardship and democratic decision making. For more information, visit www.transfairusa.org.

About David Michael & Co.
Family-owned and operated since 1896, David Michael & Co. has been a leader and an innovator in the food flavor industry for more than 100 years. In addition to complete product development assistance, David Michael also provides clients with a comprehensive line of over 30,000 flavors, stabilizers and natural colors, which can be custom-designed to meet the needs of virtually any food product. With its global headquarters in Philadelphia, PA, David Michael also has facilities in Northbrook, IL, San Bernardino, CA, and internationally in Mexico City, Mexico (David Michael de Mexico SA de CV), Valence, France (David Michael Europe, S.A.S.) and Beijing, China (David Michael (Beijing) Flavor Co. Ltd.). For more information, visit www.dmflavors.com