Banana farmers from Ecuador and Costa Rica, a pecan farmer from Georgia, and an apple grower from New England, will discuss the challenges they face, their experiences in the market, and the impact of consumer support for fair trade and family farms at three community events in Philadelphia on October 29th and 30th. The farmer talks are part of the “Faces of Fair Trade: Uniting the Global and Local” tour.
* On Mon., Oct. 29th at 7:00 pm, the farmers will speak at Bryn Mawr University (Gateway Conference Room, Gateway Building, off of Morris Ave.).
* On Tues., Oct. 30th, from 2:00 – 4:00, the farmers will speak at Joe Coffee Bar, 1100 Walnut St., #110, Philadelphia.
* On Tues., Oct. 30th, the farmers will present a community event at the Tabernacle United Church, 3700 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. Local food tasting catered by Fair Food begins at 6:00 pm followed by a panel discussion at 6:30.
Three New England-based organizations that dedicate themselves to finding markets for small farmers are sponsors of the farmers’ story tour: Oké USA, providers of fair trade fruit www.okeusa.com ; Red Tomato, non-profit marketer of family farm fruits and vegetables www.redtomato.org ; and Equal Exchange, the worker co-op that pioneered fair trade food and beverages in the U.S. www.equalexchange.coop .
Local Philadelphia sponsors include Oxfam America www.oxfamamerica.org Bryn Mawr University Dining Services, White Dog Community Enterprises and Fair Food Program www.whitedogcafefoundation.org, Tabernacle United Church www.tabunited.org, and Joe Coffee Bar www.joecoffeebar.com.
In addition to Philadelphia, the farmer tour will visit: Minneapolis-St. Paul, Oct. 18-23; Boston, Oct. 24-25; New Haven, Oct. 26th; New York, Oct. 27-28th; and Washington, D.C., Oct. 31 – Nov. 1.
All events are free and open to the public. For the most up-to-date schedule details, please visit the “Faces of Fair Trade: Uniting the Global and Local” tour web page at www.equalexchange.coop/faces-of-fair-trade, or call the Fair Food Project at (215) 386-5211.
