LA MESA, CALIFORNIA is on it's way to becoming an official Fair Trade Town!!! The Fair Trade Towns USA movement is described as “an innovative grassroots campaign to raise awareness of Fair Trade and build demand for Fair Trade products, thereby providing increased benefits for farmers, workers and artisans in Latin America, Africa and Asia.” There are certain criteria that a town must meet, including (1) forming a steering committee, (2)ensuring a certain percentage of fair trade is sold in the town and (3)used by organizations,business and institutions, (4) gaining media attention and the (5)passage of a Fair Trade Towns Resolution by the local City Council. The Fair Trade Towns USA movement began in July of 2006, and as of June, there are 23 towns in the US have become Fair Trade Towns. The purchase of fair trade products supports an economic system that provides opportunities for producers to lift themselves out of poverty. It gives more direct market access thereby removing many of the brokers who traditionally have absorbed the majority of the profits. In addition, Fair Trade provides a set of requirements that assure consumers that strict standards have been met to protect the environment, build economic sustainability, empower the vulnerable, and allow opportunities for education and heath care. School fees are paid; nutritional needs are met; health care costs are covered; the poor are empowered.
