Handmade Expressions - Fair Trade News

Cadbury, Kraft agree to multi-billion dollar deal

2010-01-28T12:42:24-06:00

The Flake, the Creme Egg, the Crunchie, the Curly Wurly, these are all brands of the British candy maker Cadbury’s, now likely to be stamped with the brand Kraft. If Cadbury’s shareholders accept a takeover bid from the American company, the $20 million deal will create the world’s biggest chocolate maker.

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Losing Cadbury Would Be Blow For Britons

2010-01-28T12:36:02-06:00

Kraft Foods Inc. has sweetened its offer for Cadbury to $19.5 billion, making the company’s buyout sound much like a done deal, but for some Britons the deal isn’t sweet enough.

“Nearly everything in this country is now owned by foreign companies,” lamented Peter on the Daily Mail’s message board. In the UK, Cadbury is often thought of as British institution, and its nearly 200 year legacy a source of national pride. London Mayor Boris Johnson dubbed its products the “taste of British childhood,” and many customers seem to share his nostalgia. Adding her name to an online petition, Spanish Cadbury enthusiast, Veronica Parra, sympathized with her British peers: “This brand (Cadbury’s) is an icon of England (and) a beloved brand all around the world. You are one of the few countries who still have your national identity. Don’t sell your soul to Americans!!”

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Direct from Market: Chicago (Gifts and Decorative Accessories)

2010-01-28T12:25:22-06:00

Among the new resources were many Fair Trade companies, all members of the Fair Trade Federation, including new South African jewelry resource World Shoppe. Even though the company is brand new, its founder Megy Karydes is no stranger to the Chicago market: she used to work for the Mart before going out on her own. Fair Trade is among the categories the Mart hopes to expand even further in years to come.

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Fair Trade is fashionable (Chicago Sun-Times)

2010-01-28T12:07:05-06:00

The Chicago Sun-Times has written an article about the recent Chicago Market show, where there was a Fair Trade presence by Fair Trade Federation members:

For many people, the term “fair trade” is often synonymous with coffee. Or Chris Martin of Coldplay.

But Chicago is showing us that fashion is a huge part of fair trade as well.

Small, female-run businesses in Chicago have partnered with artisans in economically challenged countries such as Cambodia, India and Guatemala to make sure they work in safe and fair conditions and get a livable wage. The result is beautiful, fashion-forward and affordable clothing and accessories, and our money goes straight to the hardworking people who created it.

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Kraft, Cadbury trade barbs

2010-01-12T14:16:55-06:00

LONDON, Jan. 12 (UPI) — U.S. food giant Kraft and British chocolate maker Cadbury traded barbs Tuesday in the war for shareholder support with a hostile takeover in the balance.

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Fair Trade Industry Finds Success

2010-01-12T14:08:47-06:00

EAST LANSING – Despite the struggling retail industry, area fair trade merchants say business is doing well as more people learn about fair trade principles.

“As the economy tanked and people were donating less to charities, they know if they shop fair trade, they’re doing two things at once,” said Gail Catron, managing partner of Kirabo.

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Seattle Fair Trade Cities Informational Meeting (Nov 18th)

2009-11-16T15:29:38-06:00

Seattle is trying to become a Fair Trade City, and is holing an informational meeting:

Wednesday, November 18th, 7pm – 9pm
Market Street Traders
2016 NW Market Street
(206) 838-3340

They are currently in need of members for the steering committee and welcome help for any of the following areas:

website design and hosting
marketing
local business engagement
public awareness and recruitment
faith-based outreach
street team and social networking
event planning

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Fair Trade to benefit from donated PCs

2009-11-16T13:11:17-06:00

Sainsbury’s will be donating 4000 PCs to South America and Africa, to projects helping with health and education. The charity Computer Aid will be responsible for the refurbishment, and clearing all the necessary data, then the PCs can be shipped to the projects.

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School's top marks from Fairtrade

2009-10-22T16:15:52-05:00

ENTERPRISING youngsters have done their bit to become Swansea’s first Fairtrade school. Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr became the first education facility in Swansea to gain the title following their mission in helping the less well-off. Over the past few months, the school has sold everything from Fairtrade food to footballs.

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Green Mountain Coffee® Calls on Bostonians to Take the BE FAIR Pledge in Celebration of October's Fair Trade Month

2009-10-22T16:14:01-05:00

This October Green Mountain Coffee® is calling on Bostonians to take the BE FAIR pledge, a promise to choose Fair Trade Certified™ products whenever possible. Fair Trade provides a fair price for farmers which leads to higher living standards, thriving communities and more sustainable farming practices.

For more information, please click here.