There are places in the world where people grow food for a living, yet they are the ones who go hungry.
But when sustainable Fair Trade foods are purchased here in the United States, the benefits also go back to farmers and artisans who oftentimes make less-than-meager wages.
"In the budget of the average person, it’s tiny. In the life of a farmer, it’s a huge difference," said Montclair Fair Trade Coalition Coordinator Stephanie Sheerin.
The Township Council last week voted in favor of Montclair becoming a Fair Trade Town – the first in the Tri-State Area, according to Sheerin.
The resolution was passed by a unanimous vote on Tuesday, Oct. 21, making Montclair is the eighth city to be declared a Fair Trade Town by the national nonprofit organization TransFair USA. Other Fair Trade cities and towns include San Francisco, Milwaukee Wis., and Media, Pa.
Local Fair Trade advocates see the move as an important and tangible step in Montclair’s support of economic justice, and an important, symbolic step that signifies community values.
There is no enforcement to buy Fair Trade products, though the resolution may motivate residents to support the cause.
"It’s an effort to encourage the voluntary purchase of ethically-made products," Sheerin said.
October is known as Fair Trade month in the United States and in parts of Europe, Sheerin said, which is why the coalition moved to get the resolution passed this month.
"These are difficult times, but maybe this is a way to empathize with people who are having even more difficulty making ends meet," Sheerin said.
The backbone of the effort was the coalition, which is a group of local parents, business owners, professors, clergy and high school and Montclair State University students. It was also, however, supported by local residents and people in surrounding areas who participated in educational events and have purchased Fair Trade items.
The coalition was able to garner media attention for the use of Fair Trade items in Montclair.
But to become a Fair Trade Town, Montclair had to meet other criteria to capture its new status, which included a range of Fair Trade products available in local supermarkets and cafes, including Terra Tea & Fair Trade Eco Market and The Bread Company of Montclair. Fair Trade items also had to be used by several local organizations, such as houses of worship, schools and offices.
On Oct. 23, London became the largest Fair Trade City in the world, according to Sheerin. There are more than 500 Fair Trade cities in Europe.
Bruce Crowther, Fair-trade towns coordinator in the United Kingdom, sent a congratulatory message to Sheerin: "Thanks for sharing this with me and congratulations to all at Montclair … I still feel as if I am living in a dream but we must continue to remind ourselves how far we have to go.
"I wish you all the very best of luck as Fair Trade Towns sweep across the U.S. I hope to see New York one day strip London of its title as the world’s largest Fair Trade City."
Montclair Mayor Jerry Fried said, "Our town has a deserved reputation as being politically progressive, and our government supports and encourages this step that takes into account the global social justice implications of local decisions."
Fried noted that the Township Council looks forward to working with local officials in implementing Fair Trade policies "wherever they are feasible."
Fair Trade items can be purchased in Montclair at locales such as Go Lightly, Gifts at 16, The Montclair Art Museum Gift Shop and online at lotusjayne.com.
