Press Releases

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Local Bay Area Businesses and Nonprofits Celebrate World Fair Trade Day

San Francisco to Be Named an Official Fair Trade City

Oakland, CA (May 6, 2008) -Dolores Park promises to be buzzing with more than the usual weekend activity this Saturday, May 10, 2008. In honor of World Fair Trade Day, TransFair USA, the Bay Area Fair Trade Coalition, the United Students for Fair Trade, Global Exchange, Oxfam America, Alter Eco Americas, Numi Teas, 1800Flowers.com and Adina World Beat Beverages will host a celebration for the people of San Francisco.

To crown the day’s events, Mayor Gavin Newsom is scheduled to be present to officially proclaim San Francisco as a Fair Trade City. 

“Embodying ideals of fair pricing, fair labor conditions, direct trade, community development, and environmental sustainability, Fair Trade is a principle in line with San Francisco values, and we continue our commitment to educate and promote Fair Trade products in our city,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Once a localized grassroots movement, Fair Trade CertifiedTM products are a fast-growing consumer segment. Fair Trade Certified is a market-based model for alleviating global poverty that promises better lives for farmers and farm workers.  Companies and grassroots organizations alike collaborate to promote awareness and encourage consumers to vote with their dollars for a better world through purchases of Fair Trade Certified products that support farmers and farm workers in the developing world.

From 11:00 a.m to noon, participating businesses will collaborate in a nationwide effort with “Fair Trade” cities to set the Guinness Book World Record for "World's Largest Coffee Break - Fair Trade Certified Style." Attendees are encouraged to bring a travel mug of their favorite Fair Trade Certified coffee to support the effort. In addition, local Bay Area companies including Adina World Beverages, De La Paz Coffee, Alter Eco Americas and Numi Teas will give away Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea and chocolate in collaboration with grassroots events across the country to break the record. 

World Fair Trade Day falls on the eve of Mother’s Day and 1800flowers.com has donated 3,000 Fair Trade Certified roses to be given away to honor moms, as well as the women in Ecuador, Columbia and Kenya who grow the flowers and receive direct benefits from Fair Trade Certified flower purchases.

TransFair USA and Adina World Beat Beverages will sponsor live music performances by The Bayonics, a group of Senegalese dancers who will honor the Mayor, and DJ entertainment following the speaking presentations.

Local NGOs including Oxfam, Global Exchange, Engage, World of Good and Ten Thousand Villages will also speak at the event, promote their campaigns and lend volunteer support for the coffee break.  

Schedule of Events:

11:55 a.m:  Introduction from Jamie Guzzi, grassroots outreach coordinator, TransFair USA
12:00 -- 1:15 p.m:  Music performance by the Bayonics, compliments of Adina World Music

• Local businesses participate in World’s Largest Coffee break: Fair Trade Certified coffee beverage giveaway, compliments of Adina World Beat Beverages, De La Paz Coffee, and Alter Eco Americas
• Fair Trade Certified flower giveaway, compliments of 1800flowers.com

1:15 – 1:20 p.m:  Jamie Guzzi introduces event sponsors
1:20 – 1:30 p.m:  Bay Area businesses, local Fair Trade activists speak on behalf of a growing movement
1:30-1:40 p.m:  Presentation and introduction from Paul Rice, president and CEO, TransFair USA
1:40-1:50 p.m:  Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaims San Francisco a Fair Trade City
1:50-2:00 p.m:  Magatte Wade, Adina World Beverages, presents Senegalese dance performance in celebration of proclamation  
2:00-2:30 p.m:  Senegalese dance and drum performance

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, bananas, flowers and honey.

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