The local group Fair Trade Awareness Initiating Relationships (FAIR) is organizing an effort to help Grand Rapids become a "fair trade town." The designation, developed by the Fair Trade Foundation, is given to a city to cities that meet five criterion:
- The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens.
- A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area's shops and served in local cafes and catering establishments (targets are set in relation to population)
- Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local work places (estate agents, hairdressers etc) and community organisations (churches, schools etc)
- Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign
- A local Fairtrade steering group must be convened to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Town status.
In pursuit of this goal, FAIR proposed a resolution to the Grand Rapids City Commission on June 19. According to an email sent by FAIR, the City Commission was supportive:
On Tuesday June 19th, 2007 a local Fair Trade group (FAIR), proposed to the Grand Rapids City council that they pass a resolution to make Grand Rapids a "Fairtrade City". The mayor and city council members were interested in and supportive of this idea.
"Fairtrade City" is a status awarded by The Fairtrade Foundation describing an area which is committed to the promotion of Fairtrade Certified goods. There are many Fairtrade cities across the UK and Europe. In the U.S., Media, Pennsylvania has qualified, and many others are in the process of passing "Fairtrade City" resolutions.
We want Grand Rapids to become the next city to carry this honor and we hope that you feel the same!
The first step in this process is for the Grand Rapids City council to pass this resolution. We are very excited to invite you to join in the spirit of solidarity with us and make this a reality!
You can join in this movement by simply sending a letter to the Mayor of Grand Rapids supporting this important step towards building a more conscientious and FAIR city of Grand Rapids, where you live, work and celebrate your values.
Please send this opportunity on to your Grand Rapids friends and relatives!!
To make your solidarity effort today, simply copy and paste the letter below in an email to Mayor George Heartwell. His e-mail address is gheartwe@grcity.us.
Or to send a letter through the mail, print the attachment and address it to:
Mayor Heartwell
c/o Grand Rapids City Hall
300 Monroe Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2206Sample Email and Letter:
I am a resident of the City of Grand Rapids. I have learned about the opportunity for Grand Rapids to pass a resolution for a Fair Trade City as presented to the council on June 19th, 2007 . I am very much in support of Grand Rapid becoming a place for the fair trade movement to grow. I am a part of this community and I share the values of Fair Trade principles. The principles of respect for human rights and the environment are crucial to promoting a healthier and more just society. I support the Grand Rapids City Council to pass the Fair Trade resolution, showing our city also stands for these values.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Congratulations on your campaign. Aberdeen became the first Fairtrade City in Scotland in 2004 and the movement has grown steadily since then, with churches, community organisations, businesses and schools changing to Fairtrade.
I have sent Mayor Heartwell a message of support and hope to send one of congratulation in the not too distant future.