World Fair Trade Day Chicago

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.

Sweet Justice...The Event

A beautiful hallway filled with pictures of Nepalese workers lined the path towards the James Parlor room of the Chicago Temple. Of course there was a beautiful and delicious spread of fruit, veggies, breads and desserts. But upon entering the area you notice sampling of Divine chocolate in White Chocolate Strawberry, 85% Dark, Fruit and Nut, and Milk chocolates. Every piece is delicious. Guests including Divine Ambassadors, Fair Trade Vendors, community supporters and Oxfam volunteers chatted and delighted over the spread before the event.

 

Divine chocolate is a wonderful product, but the people who make this product make it that more delectable. The presentation began at 7pm. We learn that this company owned by cocoa farmers of a cooperative included the two visiting Ghanaian farmers of the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative and farmer’s union. Ms. Christiana Adusei spoke of the constant training that the farmers receive in order to create an amazing product. Every part of the cocoa making process requires high quality and standard. But the driving force is the democratic principles of the cooperative. The inherent necessity to work hard and create a quality product follows the freedom to work comfortably within the decision making process. “I am glad to be a farmer of the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative because it empowers women,” she gallantly stated. It was clear she was a proud farmer who took control of her life through this democratic organization. She has been able to give all of her children enough food, education and security because of it.

Mr. Kwesi Boateng Afriyie discussed the exponential growth of villages included in the cooperative. The basic freedom gave them opportunity to do more with the money they received from cocoa sales. Basic necessities like clean water are hard to come by. In addition, he was able to convince the village leader to have water pipelines installed for people to have better access to clean water. That was the first step to modernizing and simplifying the lives of his fellow village citizens. After pipes were installed, he propositioned the village leader to build a toilet for the town. This power to indulge in quotidian devices of our lives came to fruition with the right opportunity. 

Divine Chocolate company has high standard for product, marketing and most importantly people. With the standards of fair trade, we can improve the overall global system by promoting better business and opportunity everywhere. Danielle Nierenberg, co-founder of Food Tank, describes how we can involve ourselves in fair trade and therefore promote necessary change. For example, the organization Chicago Fair Trade allows businesses to provide amazing fair trade products through strong networks. 

Organizations like Oxfam find the concept of fair trade certification important to apply in corporations like the top ten food and beverage companies. The Behind the Brands campaign encourages consumers to pressure companies to improve their upstream practices and employ standards like Divine and the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative. We can all see the difference it makes! Better business practices, better pay and a democratic system contributes directly to the success and well-being of people everywhere, whether Ghana or the United States. We are thankful to Ms. Adusei and Mr. Afriyie for touring in Chicago and giving us the opportunity to hear how and why fair trade works. 

Thank you to our volunteers and guests. Special thanks to Regional Advocacy Lead for Oxfam America, Adam Olson. 

Please contact us at chicago.oxfamactioncorps@gmail.com to volunteer and learn more!

-Megan Nakra