Fair Trade Movement at Local Universities

The fair trade movement has been gaining momentum in recent years. This social movement aims to promote sustainability, along with providing producers in developing nations with better trading conditions. Fair trade advocates for higher standards (both social and environmental) along with higher prices for the exporters.

Often the fair trade movement is seen as grand and idealistic because it deals with international relations. However, many of the products (particularly luxury) in the United States are imported. So, the fair trade movement can be and is local. Two residents of the greater Philadelphia area, Stephen Madigosky John Sacharok, recognize this and are bringing fair trade coffee to Widener University.

The unlikely allies, Madigosky: an environmental science professor at Widener University and Sacharok: the chief executive officer of Golden Valley Farms, created a project called Cultivation Cup. Cultivation Cup focuses on creating fair trade coffee, specifically for colleges. One coffee they have manufactured is WU Brew, an “earth-friendly” coffee just for Widener University.

This initiative has seemingly positive effects on all parties involved. Madigosky stated: “We’re not just selling coffee here. Coffee is just the vehicle.” In this case, coffee serves as a means to preserve tropical habitats, living wages, and sustainable ecosystems, specifically in Central and South America. Cultivation Cup also enables Golden Valley, a certified organic and fair-trade company, to get its product not only into Widener, but also other area colleges. Not to mention, a percentage of the sales get donated to Widener’s environmental department for student immersion trips to Costa Rica, where the WU Brew coffee beans are grown.

By teaching people, especially students, not only where their food, drink, and other products come from, but also who the producers are, can profoundly impact their actions. Hopefully more universities and individuals will come to appreciate the fair trade movement and implement these products (and programs) into their cafeterias and homes.

Fair trade products also include crafts, cotton, gold, sugar, tea, wine, bananas, and many more. Visit http://www.fairtradefederation.org/ to learn more about the fair trade movement.

http://www.philly.com/philly/food/20130815_Coffee_klatch_grows_into_eco-friendly_brew_business.html

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/08/12/green-mountain-coffee-roasters-inc-celebrates-ongo/

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Written by Stacey Terlik