Mark Your Calendars for the next Austin Fair Trade Event at St. Ignatius Church, May 30th May 27, 2010

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Here are the details:

The St. Ignatius Fair Trade Global Bazaar, on May 30, 2010
9:00a – 3:30p at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in their Family Center, 120 West Oltorf Street.

10% of all sales will be donated to St Ignatius charities

We hope to see you there!

There will be Fair Trade Gifts from Around the World from these vendors:

Discover Hope : Jewelry made by micro-credit recipients in Peru

Hill Country Hill Tribers: Handwoven bags made by Burmese refugees living in Austin

Weavers of Hope: Fair trade weavings from Villa Garcia, Zacatecas, Mexico

Ethical City: Baskets made by a widow’s cooperative in Ghana, Haitian metal art, gift cards made by orphans in Rwanda, clothing made by women in India

Austin Local and Fair Trade: Everyday products like fair trade spices, basic apparel, journals, and soap

Ten Thousand Villages: Austin’s only fair trade store, featuring handmade crafts from around the world

Etnik: Fine Leather and Mola purses, shoes and belts from Colombia

Cultural Designs by Kate: Semi-precious jewelry made by women in the middle east

Coffee from Texas Coffee Traders

Tea from Zhi Tea

The First Annual Austin Fair Trade Film Festival was a huge success! May 18, 2010

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The First Annual Austin Fair Trade Film Festival was a huge success! A “Thank you” to all that participated and attended. The day was complete with three documentary films, panel discussions, a Fair Trade Market, artisan demonstrations, and great live music.

We want to extend a big thank you to all the sponsors: Texas Coffee Traders, Handmade Expressions, The Progressive Populist, Transfair USA, Novica, Texas Fair Trade Coalition, Eastside Cafe, Dominican Joe, Nada Moo, Maine Root Handcrafted Beverages, Austin Tan Cerca de la Frontera,Austin Local & Fair Trade, Ethical City, Marigold-Gateway to India, Fair Trade a Day, and Etnik Fashions. Another big thank you to all of the volunteers! Events such as this would not happen without you. Also, many thanks to Alamo Drafthouse for hosting!

Keep a lookout next year for the next annual Fair Trade Film Festival!

This event helped with the campaign to secure the Fair Trade Town designation for Austin. If you are interested in supporting fair trade, join the Ning group to participate in this initiative. We meet every other Monday, at Dominican Joe’s Coffee Shop.

Also, Congratulations to the winner of the drawing for the beautiful Zulugrass Multistrand Necklace!

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Please mark you calendars for the next Austin fair trade event:

The St. Ignatius Fair Trade Global Bazaar, on May 30, 2010 9:00a – 3:30p at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in their Family Center, 120 West Oltorf Street.

10% of all sales will be donated to St Ignatius charities

We hope to see you there!

There will be Fair Trade Gifts from Around the World from these vendors:

Discover Hope : Jewelry made by mico-credit recipients in Peru

Hill Country Hill Tribers: Handwoven bags made by Burmese refugees living in Austin

Weavers of Hope: Fair trade weavings from Villa Garcia, Zacatecas, Mexico

Ethical City: Baskets made by a widow’s cooperative in Ghana, Haitian metal art, gift cards made by orphans in Rwanda, clothing made by women in India

Austin Local and Fair Trade: Everyday products like fair trade spices, basic apparel, journals, and soap

Ten Thousand Villages : Austin’s only fair trade store, featuring handmade crafts from around the world

Etnik: Fine Leather and Mola purses, shoes and belts from Colombia

Cultural Designs by Kate: Semi-precious jewelry made by women in the middle east

Coffee from Texas Coffee Traders

Tea from Zhi Tea

May 8th is World Fair Trade Day! April 7, 2010

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May 8th is World Fair Trade Day!
Here in Austin, Ten Thousand Villages is coordinating a Fair Trade Film Festival at Alamo Drafthouse, S. Lamar. The goal is to promote awareness and education of fair trade business practices. The festival consists of film screenings and an outdoor global bazaar with fair trade vendors and international music. There will also be weaving demonstrations from local refugee artisans. Austin Local & Fair Trade will be attending. Here is the facebook link: and the fundraising link: Spread the word and the awareness will continue! We hope to see you there!

Fair Trade is Sustainable February 28, 2010

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Did you know that fair trade products are automatically produced in a sustainable way?

In order for a product to be certified fair trade, by TransFair USA, they have to meet the following criteria:
* Fair prices: Democratically organized farmer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price and an additional premium for certified organic products. Farmer organizations are also eligible for pre-harvest credit.
* Fair labor conditions: Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited.
* Direct trade: With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.
* Democratic and transparent organizations: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers decide democratically how to invest Fair Trade revenues.
* Community development: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement trainings, and organic certification.
* Environmental sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers’ health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.

TransFair USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and one of twenty members of Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO), and the only third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. They audit transactions between US companies offering Fair Trade Certified™ products and the international suppliers from whom they source, in order to guarantee that the farmers and farm workers behind Fair Trade Certified goods were paid a fair, above-market price. In addition, annual inspections conducted by FLO ensure that strict socioeconomic development criteria are being met using increased Fair Trade revenues.

Although some fair trade products are hard to certify, when you see the Fair Trade Certified logo, you know TransFair has worked hard to guarantee that the product meets their criteria. As their mission statement says, “TransFair USA enables sustainable development and community empowerment by cultivating a more equitable global trade model that benefits farmers, workers, consumers, industry and the earth. We achieve our mission by certifying and promoting Fair Trade products.”

So, look for the logo and know your purchase benefits the sustainability of our earth and its inhabitants.

Here is a sustainable healthy snack:
Soaked Dehydrated Nuts (Crispy Nuts)
4 cups local Tx. Pecans (or any nut that is locally grown in your area)
2 tsp. real sea salt
enough water to cover the nuts
Dissolve the salt in the water, in a large bowl
Add the nuts
Soak overnight
Turn oven on 150-200 degrees. Drain nuts and spread in an even layer on cookie sheet. Dehydrate in oven 2-4 hours, till crispy. Cool.
Read about the benefits of soaking nuts here:

http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2008/07/soaking-nuts.html

Compassionate Consumerism + Free Shipping to Austin Zip Codes February 16, 2010

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Haiti still needs help.
Donate Now to help Haiti.

Visit Catholic Relief Services website for information:

http://www.crs.org/

_____

We hope everyone enjoyed a Valentine’s Day filled with special treats and
quality time with your loved ones. If you found it hard to purchase fair
trade and local treats, you have six weeks until the next treat-giving
holiday – Easter.

During the next six weeks, we can contemplate how we can purchase
with a purpose and buy local, buy fair. This Easter season, companies will
sell millions of dollars worth of chocolate. Unfortunately, the chocolate
that we often enjoy is not so sweet for the hundreds of thousands of child
laborers involved in the harvesting of cocoa to make that chocolate.

You can purchase Fair Trade chocolate. Visit the Austin Local
& Fair Trade store to see our selection of chocolate and other gifts.

A quote by John Ikerd ,Published in Small Farm Today, speaks to the
importance of being a compassionate consumer with our food, as well as other
purchasing, “The food we choose has an impact upon the lives of other
people, upon the earth, and upon the future of humanity.”

We have been on a slow journey, for the past several years, realizing how
our purchases effect people and our planet. It is a struggle, at times, but
there are always alternatives to what may be a harmful purchase. If all
else fails, we do without. By buying local and fair, we can feel
comfortable that our money will contribute to the lives of our local
community and the lives of third world farmers and artisans.

If you have not already, we hope you will join us on this adventure of
finding ways to become a compassionate consumer.

We are glad to bring Free Shipping to our local Austin zip codes! Just
enter promo code FREEAUSTIN at checkout.

Buy Local, Buy Fair. As always, we encourage you to purchase from your
local businesses and fair-trade folks.

While we are waiting for the next treat-filled holiday, here is a nourishing
recipe using locally-sourced ingredients:

Recipe: Honey-Glazed Carrots

1 pound carrots from local farmer’s market (or your own flourishing garden!)

2 T pastured butter: Organic Valley or Way Back When (selling at Sunset
Valley Farm Market)

2 T local honey: Round Rock Honey or Goodflow Honey Company

Sea salt and Frontier Fair Trade ground pepper to taste

Chopped flat-leaf parsley from farmer’s market (or your own garden)

Steam carrots over an inch or two of boiling water until just tender, 7 to
10 minutes. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet and stir in honey. Add
steamed carrots to the skillet and sauté over medium-high heat, stirring
constantly, until carrots are well glazed, 2 to 4 minutes. Season carrots
with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with parsley.
Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

January 20, 2010

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Donate Now to help Haiti.

Visit Catholic Relief Services website for information:

http://www.crs.org/

Valentine’s Day the Local & Fair Trade Way

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine’s Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor’s daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed ‘From your Valentine,’ an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It’s no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

As St. Valentine recognized injustice, we as consumers, can too.  We can take action and make a change.  Join us and  put your money where your values lie and to show your loved ones that you truly care by choosing Fair Trade and organic flowers, chocolate, and wine for your Valentine’s Day gifts.

Valentines Day marks the biggest shopping day of the year, when it comes to chocolate and flowers. By purchasing organic and Fair Trade chocolate and flowers, your money will no longer be going towards toxic pesticides, child slavery, and farm worker exploitation.

Over 40 percent of the world’s conventional chocolate (i.e. non-organic and non-Fair Trade) comes from Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), where the International Labor Organization (ILO) and US State Department have reported widespread instances of child slavery. Exploitation of cacao farmers and farm workers is the norm in the chocolate industry.   For more reasons to buy Fair Trade, read here http://www.austinlocalfairtrade.com/what_is_fair_trade.html

We encourage you to explore ways to support the Fair Trade market in Haiti.  Our prayers go out to all those affected by the earthquake.  Although we do not carry items made in Haiti, at this time, please consider purchasing Fair Trade.  When a natural distaster, such as the major earthquake happens, artisans can rebuild their lives at a quicker pace, if they are able to get back to work.

As with supporting Fair Trade, a conscientious consumer can also practice local buying.  To see the top reasons for buying local, read more here http://www.austinlocalfairtrade.com/why_buy_local.html

There are many ways to support our local economy during the Valentine celebration:  buying locally grown flowers, chocolate, baked goods, wine, and local ingredients for that special Valentine meal.  Central Texas grown flowers can be found at  the Arnosky farm in Blanco, TX.  Their flowers can be found at many retail establishments in Austin.  See their website for more info  http://texascolor.com/index.html .

Here are a few ideas for Valentine gift-giving this year:  Equal Exchange Fair Trade Chocolate, Austin locally made jewelry and soaps, Fair Trade jewelry and clothing.  For more ideas, visit our website:  http://shop.austinlocalfairtrade.com/Gifts_c78.htm

We wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day and may the spirit of St. Valentine move you to make change and recognize that you can Purchase with Purpose!

Here’s a recipe using Fair Trade and Austin local ingredients, to get those romantic taste buds going:

Decadent Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache Frosting – adapted from the Whole Grain Gourmet

Ingredients:

2 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate

1 ¼ c. sifted whole wheat pastry flour

1 tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. kosher salt

¼ c. pastured Organic Valley butter (or ½ butter, ½ coconut oil)

1 ¼ c. Frontier Fair Trade Sucanat (in place of white sugar)

2 pastured eggs from your local farmer’s market

1 ½ tsp. Frontier Fair Trade Vanilla

½ c sour cream or plain yogurt

½ c boiling water

Prep:

1.  Preheat the oven to 375.  Grease and flour a 9” cake pan or 7”x11” pan with coconut oil

2.  Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together and set aside.

3.  Melt the chocolate and allow it to cool slightly.  Be careful not to allow it to harden

4.  Beat the butter and sucanat for 2 min.  Add the eggs and beat for an additional two minutes.  Beat  in the vanilla and cooled chocolate.

5.  Gradually stir in the sifted flour mixture in approximate thirds, alternating each time w/ ¼ c of yogurt, then ¼ c flour, etc.

6.  Stir in the boiling water.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

7.  Bake for 23 min.  Do not over bake this cake.  Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack for 10 min.  When testing with a toothpick, it should have a little batter on it.

Chocolate Ganache Frosting

1 c. of Equal Exchange Fair Trade cocoa powder

¾ c virgin coconut oil

½ c of local honey + a little more

1 tsp. Frontier Fair Trade Vanilla

1.  Gently melt the oil in a saucepan (don’t heat, just melt)

2.  In a food processor, combine all the ingredients and pulse until well blended

3.  Scrape into a small bowl and place in  freezer or refrigerator until it has hardened to desired consistency.  About 15 min. in freezer.

4.  You can use a hand mixer to fluff the frosting up.

Spread and enjoy!  Warning, this frosting will melt, if not kept cool.