Fair Trade Certified™ Brings the Global Farmers' Market to a Store Near You

October marks National Fair Trade Month

Oakland, CA (October 1, 2007) -TransFair USA – the U.S. certifying agency for Fair Trade Certified products – along with retailers, product licensees and grassroots coalitions across the nation, launches Fair Trade Month today.

Fair Trade Certified – at the forefront of the corporate social responsibility movement – is an alternative trade model that benefits farmers and farming cooperatives in developing countries to empower them toward economic self-sufficiency and sustainability by providing them with the necessary tools, training and market opportunities to successfully compete in the global marketplace.

The Fair Trade Month awareness-building campaign aims to increase recognition of the Fair Trade Certified label through marketing, in-store promotions and special events, designed to aid consumers to better understand and more effectively support Fair Trade.

"By dedicating an entire month to promoting Fair Trade Certified products, our efforts help increase product sales, which benefits retailers, companies with licensed products, and most importantly more than 1.4 million farmers and farm workers in developing countries around the world,' said Paul Rice, TransFair USA president and CEO. "This is a great example of how our individual purchasing power can empower farmers in the developing world and is yet another illustration of Fair Trade Certified as the global farmers’ market.'

Highlights of the Fair Trade Month promotional activities include:

• Fair Trade video contest and sweepstakes, with an award presented to one talented consumer and guest to travel to Peru to connect with Fair Trade farmers.
• Multi-day Fair Trade Certified beverage giveaway in high-traffic commuter hubs
• Online promotion at www.connectwithfairtrade.org, where consumers can find information on the positive impact that Fair Trade is making around the world, recipes and interactive activities
• Multi-city Fair Trade farmer tour

About TransFair USA
TransFair USA is the only independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade Certified products in the United States. TransFair USA audits and certifies transactions between U.S. companies offering Fair Trade Certified products and their international suppliers to guarantee that the farmers and workers producing Fair Trade Certified goods were paid fair prices and wages. TransFair USA certifies coffee, tea, herbs, vanilla, cocoa, chocolate, rice, sugar and bananas.  Visit www.FairTradeCertified.org. 

Contact:
Anthony Marek
PR director, TransFair USA
510.663.5260 ext. 346
amarek@transfairusa.org