By Delia Daly, Volunteer Chicago Oxfam Action Corps
Daley Plaza was
filled with fair trade vendors and curious customers May 7th and 8th.
Beautiful weather made it possible for Oxfam Action Corps Chicago and 20 fair trade groups to share their stories and products with Chicagoans.
It was great to see people who were both familiar with Chicago Fair Trade's message, and those just passing through on their way to and from
work. The market's purpose was to recognize the movement for ethical
consumption in American cities. As consumers, each purchase counts. The message being shared was that
supporting products that protect the environment and the people working
to produce them is possible in Chicago. Our neighboring booths were The Dill Pickle - a food co-op located in the Logan Square Neighborhood, and
Mata Traders - Fair Trade fashion (clothing and jewelry) supporting
producers in India.
The
Oxfam team was promoting the recent "Behind The Brands" campaign.
Visitors to our booth were encouraged to play a game - matching the top
10 American Brands with their "Behind the Brands" scores. Some used
strategy, others just guessed, but all were shocked at how low every
brand scored in the areas assessed by Oxfam researchers. (land, women,
farmers, workers, climate, transparency, and water). Over a hundred of
the visitors showed
their support by signing our petition urging these companies to
re-evaluate the impact their business practices have. It was encouraging
to share the progress that Nestle and Mondelez have made. They agreed
within two months of the campaign coming out to make changes in how they
treat their women cocoa farmers. Divine Chocolate and their visiting
Kuapa Kokoo cocoa farmers from Ghana demonstrated the success that Fair
Trade practices have. Not only does Divine Chocolate provide a delicious
product, but supports and respects the cocoa farmers that are in charge
of production. The lives of the farmers have truly been enriched by the
independence and responsibility Fair Trade practices give them.
Daley Plaza was
filled with fair trade vendors and curious customers May 7th and 8th.
Beautiful weather made it possible for Oxfam Action Corps Chicago and 20 fair trade groups to share their stories and products with Chicagoans.
It was great to see people who were both familiar with Chicago Fair Trade's message, and those just passing through on their way to and from
work. The market's purpose was to recognize the movement for ethical
consumption in American cities. As consumers, each purchase counts. The message being shared was that
supporting products that protect the environment and the people working
to produce them is possible in Chicago. Our neighboring booths were The Dill Pickle - a food co-op located in the Logan Square Neighborhood, and
Mata Traders - Fair Trade fashion (clothing and jewelry) supporting
producers in India. 
The
Oxfam team was promoting the recent "Behind The Brands" campaign.
Visitors to our booth were encouraged to play a game - matching the top
10 American Brands with their "Behind the Brands" scores. Some used
strategy, others just guessed, but all were shocked at how low every
brand scored in the areas assessed by Oxfam researchers. (land, women,
farmers, workers, climate, transparency, and water). Over a hundred of
the visitors showed
their support by signing our petition urging these companies to
re-evaluate the impact their business practices have. It was encouraging
to share the progress that Nestle and Mondelez have made. They agreed
within two months of the campaign coming out to make changes in how they
treat their women cocoa farmers. Divine Chocolate and their visiting
Kuapa Kokoo cocoa farmers from Ghana demonstrated the success that Fair
Trade practices have. Not only does Divine Chocolate provide a delicious
product, but supports and respects the cocoa farmers that are in charge
of production. The lives of the farmers have truly been enriched by the
independence and responsibility Fair Trade practices give them.
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