Businesses

Ethical businesses are a vital part of the infrastructure of Fair Trade. Two examples: cooperative groceries help create our taste for organic and local foods, while values-based coffee importers helped create the Fair Trade importing system. In order to create a just food system in our region, ethical businesses must play a important role.

Interested food retailers can join the food co-ops who have taken a stand and signed the Local Fair Trade Pledge and participate in LFTN's efforts. Any business can become a member and we also welcome anyone who is willing to volunteer to promote the message of Local Fair Trade.

Food retailers who would like to source food from local farmers dedicated to Fair Trade can find a list here. We also welcome comments on the Agricultural Justice Project's standards for Domestic Fair Trade.

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Local Fair Trade Sessions for Co-ops

Co-op managers and employees are invited to two information and feedback sessions by the Local Fair Trade Network (LFTN). The session for managers will be at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, November 27 at the Seward Co-op satellite office. The session for employees will be at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, November 28 at the Bedlam Theater.

LFTN works to apply the Fair Trade model to local food in order to create a better life for everyone involved in our local food system. During the 2007 local growing season LFTN has been working with Seward Co-op, Bluff Country Co-op and four local farmers on a pilot project for a Local Fair Trade food label. We have also begun discussions with local farmers about creating a cooperatively-owned transportation system in order to get their produce to the Twin Cities market more efficiently.

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