Hi it's Caroline!
As you know, the purpose of this blog is to help us with our Girl Scout silver award. That said, we need a specific number of hours, (50) that need to be compleated by a deadline (by the start of high school). To say the least, we needed lots of hours, and the pressure was on. So, we are insanely lucky to have our parents helping us, and Ginger's mom came up with an idea to get us a lot of hours. What about a party? We could invite some friends, talk to them about fair trade, display fair trade products, and even make some fair trade food for them to eat. Ginger and I split up the party planning duties, and got to work.
For the party, I made fair trade frozen chocolate and icing, while Ginger made stir-fry and some AMAZING fair trade chocolate chip cookies, and some fair trade cupcakes for the icing. Well, when I saw what my party jobs were, I thought, "Just cooking? Yeah, that's got to be easy!" I can cook basic things. Like boiling pasta. Not anything too complicated. ESPECIALLY not something that would require double boiling melted chocolate. Yeah, that frozen hot chocolate is still giving me anxiety issues, after a total cooking time of 1 1/2 hours! :)
In all, the party was a huge success, giving our friends the opprotunity to try fair trade products widely avalible in our area. We were even able to interview a few party guests about what they had learned about fair trade. Hopefully Ginger will post those videos soon (since I as always forgot my camera at home :) and you can all see the influence of just telling someone, how much you can influence the success of fair trade!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
How Aware Are We?
Hi it's Ginger!
As you may have noticed many people seem to lack awareness of Fair Trade. I myself wasn't very aware until I went to Dominican Republic and saw all the factories from both sides (shopper and worker).
Caroline and I took this into account when we went educating younger girls (in eliminatory school girls in girls scout troops) about Fair Trade. Before giving our lesson we gave out a True or False questionnaire of five question. They included the following.
1. Fair Trade is a charity T F
2. Fair Trade makes things expensive T F
3. Fair Trade and Organic have the same meaning T F
4. Fair Trade only effects people in poor places T F
5. When I buy something in a store it doesn't affect someone somewhere else T F
After we went over the answers on the questionnaire i collected some of them back to see the results. Most of the girls admitted that they had guessed out of most of them and didn't really know what Fair Trade was at all. Out of the ones I took back to look at, none of the girls got 100% correct.
I asked the girls if they had ever heard of Fair Trade and depending upon the group (usually around 15 girls per group) one or two had heard the term Fair Trade.
Thinking the results I found from the questionnaire and just asking the troops questions was because they were younger I took trying to educate youth with more lessens.
To my surprise I was wrong about unawareness due to age.
When going to Fair Trade places and asking the workers what products were Fair Trade many of the workers did not know what it was either. Many workers didn't know which products in the store were Fair Trade or after reciting the items in stock to us they would ask what Fair Trade was.
Considering that the goal or Fair Trade is to get people to buy Fair Trade items- it is a problem that people don't know what Fair Trade is. I hope this blog showed you how so many people are unaware of Fair Trade.
The only way to get people to be Fair Trade savvy is to get people to know what it is in the first place.
It is up to us to spread awareness to everyone.
As you may have noticed many people seem to lack awareness of Fair Trade. I myself wasn't very aware until I went to Dominican Republic and saw all the factories from both sides (shopper and worker).
Caroline and I took this into account when we went educating younger girls (in eliminatory school girls in girls scout troops) about Fair Trade. Before giving our lesson we gave out a True or False questionnaire of five question. They included the following.
1. Fair Trade is a charity T F
2. Fair Trade makes things expensive T F
3. Fair Trade and Organic have the same meaning T F
4. Fair Trade only effects people in poor places T F
5. When I buy something in a store it doesn't affect someone somewhere else T F
After we went over the answers on the questionnaire i collected some of them back to see the results. Most of the girls admitted that they had guessed out of most of them and didn't really know what Fair Trade was at all. Out of the ones I took back to look at, none of the girls got 100% correct.
I asked the girls if they had ever heard of Fair Trade and depending upon the group (usually around 15 girls per group) one or two had heard the term Fair Trade.
Thinking the results I found from the questionnaire and just asking the troops questions was because they were younger I took trying to educate youth with more lessens.
To my surprise I was wrong about unawareness due to age.
When going to Fair Trade places and asking the workers what products were Fair Trade many of the workers did not know what it was either. Many workers didn't know which products in the store were Fair Trade or after reciting the items in stock to us they would ask what Fair Trade was.
Considering that the goal or Fair Trade is to get people to buy Fair Trade items- it is a problem that people don't know what Fair Trade is. I hope this blog showed you how so many people are unaware of Fair Trade.
The only way to get people to be Fair Trade savvy is to get people to know what it is in the first place.
It is up to us to spread awareness to everyone.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Alter Eco
Hi it's Caroline!
So, today, I'm not just writing about a product, I'm writing about a whole fair-trade COMPANY! I know, it's hard to believe that there's an entire brand dedicated to fair trade, and the products are STILL not easy to find! The brand is called Alter Eco, an it includes rice, grains, chocolate, any type of food that can be made fair trade. I mentioned one of their types of chocolate, dark chocolate almond, in one of my previous blogs about fair trade vs. non-fair trade chocolate. What makes Alter Eco different from other brands, is that they give you a sort of backstory on the product and the producer. They tell you where it's from, what cooperative, and what it was used for by the natives of that area originally. Some of the products are even organic. My mom decided to buy the pearl quinoa and the purple jasmine rice. The quinoa is grown in Bolivia, where it was originally used by the Incas, and the rie is grown is grown in Thailand, where t has traditionally been used as a staple for hundreds of years. They also show your impact on the earth right on the back. For example, the back of the jasmine rice says: 150 farmers benefit, there's a 60% increase in farmer's revenue, your purchase finances: rice mill and packing faciliy, construction of a health clinic, and social security program, and one tree is planted for every 167 packs of rice. Phew, all that, just because of one little package of rice? That takes helping the earth to a whole new level! :)
So, today, I'm not just writing about a product, I'm writing about a whole fair-trade COMPANY! I know, it's hard to believe that there's an entire brand dedicated to fair trade, and the products are STILL not easy to find! The brand is called Alter Eco, an it includes rice, grains, chocolate, any type of food that can be made fair trade. I mentioned one of their types of chocolate, dark chocolate almond, in one of my previous blogs about fair trade vs. non-fair trade chocolate. What makes Alter Eco different from other brands, is that they give you a sort of backstory on the product and the producer. They tell you where it's from, what cooperative, and what it was used for by the natives of that area originally. Some of the products are even organic. My mom decided to buy the pearl quinoa and the purple jasmine rice. The quinoa is grown in Bolivia, where it was originally used by the Incas, and the rie is grown is grown in Thailand, where t has traditionally been used as a staple for hundreds of years. They also show your impact on the earth right on the back. For example, the back of the jasmine rice says: 150 farmers benefit, there's a 60% increase in farmer's revenue, your purchase finances: rice mill and packing faciliy, construction of a health clinic, and social security program, and one tree is planted for every 167 packs of rice. Phew, all that, just because of one little package of rice? That takes helping the earth to a whole new level! :)
Fair Trade Quinoa
Monday, July 4, 2011
The most important question...
Hi it's Caroline!
Today, your most important fair-trade question will be answered. Which is better: fair trade or regular: CHOCOLATE! And yes, even though it is one of the most popular fair trade items, i think it deserves some recognition for its hard work! Chocolate has one of the biggest buyer markets in fair trade, since it is a well-know product. Here, I get to compare two different brands, Hershey's Milk Chocolate and Alter Eco Fair Trade Dark Chocolate Almond, grown at the El Ceibo Cooperative in Bolivia. A fair trade cooperative is essentially a fair trade farm where cocoa beans (in this case) are grown. Meanwhile, Hershey's cocoa is grown in Mexico, on a non fair trade farm. Fair trade vs. not. Let the battle begin! :)
Fair trade: This bar contained sun dried and slow-roasted almonds. It was dark chcolate, so it was more bitter than your average chocolate. It was really good, to my surprise, since I'm not a huge fan of dark chocolate. The almonds added a really good flavoring, and even though it wasn't milk chocolate, it was a better alternative for your health and the world!
Normal: A Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar, nothing fancy or expensive. Milk chocolate, no additives, unless you count lots and lots of SUGAR! A little bland and too sweet, but not to bad on a s'more.
So, which one is the winner? It depends on what you're using it for. Just eating some chocolate for dessert? Go for the Dark Chocolate Almond. Making some s'mores with little kids? Stick with the milk chocolate. Either way, they were both good in their own ways. My choice? The almond, or course. It helps the world, and benefits the farmers who grow the ingredients for it. :)
Fair Trade
Non fair-trade
Today, your most important fair-trade question will be answered. Which is better: fair trade or regular: CHOCOLATE! And yes, even though it is one of the most popular fair trade items, i think it deserves some recognition for its hard work! Chocolate has one of the biggest buyer markets in fair trade, since it is a well-know product. Here, I get to compare two different brands, Hershey's Milk Chocolate and Alter Eco Fair Trade Dark Chocolate Almond, grown at the El Ceibo Cooperative in Bolivia. A fair trade cooperative is essentially a fair trade farm where cocoa beans (in this case) are grown. Meanwhile, Hershey's cocoa is grown in Mexico, on a non fair trade farm. Fair trade vs. not. Let the battle begin! :)
Fair trade: This bar contained sun dried and slow-roasted almonds. It was dark chcolate, so it was more bitter than your average chocolate. It was really good, to my surprise, since I'm not a huge fan of dark chocolate. The almonds added a really good flavoring, and even though it wasn't milk chocolate, it was a better alternative for your health and the world!
Normal: A Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar, nothing fancy or expensive. Milk chocolate, no additives, unless you count lots and lots of SUGAR! A little bland and too sweet, but not to bad on a s'more.
So, which one is the winner? It depends on what you're using it for. Just eating some chocolate for dessert? Go for the Dark Chocolate Almond. Making some s'mores with little kids? Stick with the milk chocolate. Either way, they were both good in their own ways. My choice? The almond, or course. It helps the world, and benefits the farmers who grow the ingredients for it. :)
Fair Trade Non fair-trade
Monday, June 27, 2011
Coffee Break!
Hi it's Caroline!
So, if you're reading this blog, you probably know this is all about educating people about "the alternative ways of fair trade, aside from coffee, chocolate. and tea." Well, with this blog, I'm kind of going away from those with my topic: coffee!!! If you're like me, there's nothing you wouldn't do for a good cup of coffee. Being a teenager, coffee is important to my very existence. In my house, my mom, my dad, and I all drink coffee. Before this blog, I didn't, (and still don't know how) to make coffee in a coffee maker. Usually I just tried to get some of what my mom was drinking, not really caring about where my coffee came from. After this, I realized that coffee is one of the biggest offenders in the fair trade world, I thought, "This really DOES effect people. I mean, look at how many people drink coffee!" If we all buy fair trade, then that really does make a difference! Say you go to the grocery store. You probably go on auto-pilot and pick out your go-to favorite coffee. Sometimes fair trade, sometimes not. Does it really matter? Hey, you get your caffine boost and some pretty good coffee. So is fair trade really that important? The difference of fair trade and non-fair trade is that, with fair trade, everyone who makes that coffee is paid fairly for it. It's the difference between right and wrong. If you don't buy that fair trade coffee, how can you expect someone else to? To buy fair trade coffee is an easy way to help the world, in the comfort of your own kitchen. A little thing to change the world in a big way? Yes, please! :)
The coffee you're getting....
The people you're helping. :)
So, if you're reading this blog, you probably know this is all about educating people about "the alternative ways of fair trade, aside from coffee, chocolate. and tea." Well, with this blog, I'm kind of going away from those with my topic: coffee!!! If you're like me, there's nothing you wouldn't do for a good cup of coffee. Being a teenager, coffee is important to my very existence. In my house, my mom, my dad, and I all drink coffee. Before this blog, I didn't, (and still don't know how) to make coffee in a coffee maker. Usually I just tried to get some of what my mom was drinking, not really caring about where my coffee came from. After this, I realized that coffee is one of the biggest offenders in the fair trade world, I thought, "This really DOES effect people. I mean, look at how many people drink coffee!" If we all buy fair trade, then that really does make a difference! Say you go to the grocery store. You probably go on auto-pilot and pick out your go-to favorite coffee. Sometimes fair trade, sometimes not. Does it really matter? Hey, you get your caffine boost and some pretty good coffee. So is fair trade really that important? The difference of fair trade and non-fair trade is that, with fair trade, everyone who makes that coffee is paid fairly for it. It's the difference between right and wrong. If you don't buy that fair trade coffee, how can you expect someone else to? To buy fair trade coffee is an easy way to help the world, in the comfort of your own kitchen. A little thing to change the world in a big way? Yes, please! :)
The coffee you're getting.... The people you're helping. :)
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Perfect gifts for everyone!
Hi it's Caroline!
When buying a gift for someone, what do you think about first? Is it, "Will they like this?" or "This is so cool, I wish I had it!" Not, "Is this fair trade or not?" But, aside from popular belief, you CAN get amazingly inexpensive gifts, which also happen to be fair trade. At Ten Thousand Villages, which has a store in Red Bank, you can buy jewelry, sculptures, stationary, and children's toys, all fair trade and affordable. When I graduated last week, I recieved many gifts from Ten Thousand Villages, since a lot of my friends and family know about this blog. For me, these are the best gifts, since it's not only benefiting me, but I know that when I wear my fair trade necklace, or use my fair trade soap, that I am also helping someone else from a different part of the world. Whenever I can't think of what to get someone, (which is often, since I never buy gifts until the last minute :) ) I always go to Ten Thousand Villages, since they always have the perfect gift for everyone!
Fair Trade necklaces! :)
When buying a gift for someone, what do you think about first? Is it, "Will they like this?" or "This is so cool, I wish I had it!" Not, "Is this fair trade or not?" But, aside from popular belief, you CAN get amazingly inexpensive gifts, which also happen to be fair trade. At Ten Thousand Villages, which has a store in Red Bank, you can buy jewelry, sculptures, stationary, and children's toys, all fair trade and affordable. When I graduated last week, I recieved many gifts from Ten Thousand Villages, since a lot of my friends and family know about this blog. For me, these are the best gifts, since it's not only benefiting me, but I know that when I wear my fair trade necklace, or use my fair trade soap, that I am also helping someone else from a different part of the world. Whenever I can't think of what to get someone, (which is often, since I never buy gifts until the last minute :) ) I always go to Ten Thousand Villages, since they always have the perfect gift for everyone!
Fair Trade necklaces! :)
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Interviewing the founder of Friends Beyond Borders: Kevin LaMastra
I am interviewing the founder of Friends Beyond Borders, Kevin LaMastra, about Fair Trade.
or click on this link:
http://www.youtube.com/user/JerseyShoreFairTrade?blend=2&ob=5
Kevin LaMastra took me on a trip to Dominican Republic regarding social justice last summer (I wrote about this in an earlier blog). Much of the trip was about the Fair Trade life style in factories, and daily life.
Kevin LaMastra is a school teacher and is well educated in Fair Trade.
or click on this link:
http://www.youtube.com/user/JerseyShoreFairTrade?blend=2&ob=5
Kevin LaMastra took me on a trip to Dominican Republic regarding social justice last summer (I wrote about this in an earlier blog). Much of the trip was about the Fair Trade life style in factories, and daily life.
Kevin LaMastra is a school teacher and is well educated in Fair Trade.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Eating Vegan Food for the First Time
I've always thought that all vegan food didn't taste good. Of coarse I made this assumption before I had ever eaten a vegan meal. Everyone said it tasted like nothing. Tofu and Vegetables,that was all they ate. So how could it possibly be something that I would like. I'm not vegetarian much less a vegan, so why would I ever like a vegan meal?
Last weekend I changed my mind.
Knowing that the Cinnamon Snail was fair trade I said, "Why not?" and went to the Galleria in Red Bank to visit the fair trade truck. I ordered the Basil pesto grilled tofu.
The workers were kind and answered all my questions despite how busy the were. Some of their Fair Trade products include the organic fair trade coffee and other products that weren't named when I asked this even though they are sure that there is more.
While ordering I noticed someone I knew, Kali Lerner. As we waited for our orders Lerner talked to us about how she loves coming to the Cinnamon Snail because it's good vegan food that changes things up (Lerner is a vegetarian). She said that her usual vegetarian food can sometimes get boring and that the Cinnamon Snail changes it up with vegan organic breakfast, sandwiches, pastries, and more.
"I come out here almost every Sunday," said Kali Lerner. Why? When I bit into my sandwich it said it all. It was good. It was really good. Not just for vegan food but for any food. On top of that when I finished, I had a good feeling that I just ate or supported something fresh, organic, vegan, and fair trade.
check out their website: http://www.cinnamonsnail.com/
Last weekend I changed my mind.
Knowing that the Cinnamon Snail was fair trade I said, "Why not?" and went to the Galleria in Red Bank to visit the fair trade truck. I ordered the Basil pesto grilled tofu. The workers were kind and answered all my questions despite how busy the were. Some of their Fair Trade products include the organic fair trade coffee and other products that weren't named when I asked this even though they are sure that there is more.
While ordering I noticed someone I knew, Kali Lerner. As we waited for our orders Lerner talked to us about how she loves coming to the Cinnamon Snail because it's good vegan food that changes things up (Lerner is a vegetarian). She said that her usual vegetarian food can sometimes get boring and that the Cinnamon Snail changes it up with vegan organic breakfast, sandwiches, pastries, and more.
"I come out here almost every Sunday," said Kali Lerner. Why? When I bit into my sandwich it said it all. It was good. It was really good. Not just for vegan food but for any food. On top of that when I finished, I had a good feeling that I just ate or supported something fresh, organic, vegan, and fair trade.
check out their website: http://www.cinnamonsnail.com/
Friday, June 10, 2011
Updateing
It's Ginger
A few days ago I updated the blog so you can follow it with any kind of e-mail. Before it was so only e-mail users from yahoo, gmail, or twitter users could follow it.
Now it's fixed so anyone with any kind of e-mail can follow us.
Following the account only means that you are interested in this site (no, we won't send you excessive e-mails).
If you do want e-mails every time we post something follow these steps:
ALSO
I added a new poll so you can tell us how much we are helping you understand fair trade. Don't be shy we won't be offended!!!!
If you have any suggestions e-mail us at jerseyshorefairtrade@gmail.com
we are always eager for new ideas or suggestions for our blog.
A few days ago I updated the blog so you can follow it with any kind of e-mail. Before it was so only e-mail users from yahoo, gmail, or twitter users could follow it.
Now it's fixed so anyone with any kind of e-mail can follow us.
Following the account only means that you are interested in this site (no, we won't send you excessive e-mails).
If you do want e-mails every time we post something follow these steps:
- Scroll to the bottom of the Jersey Shore Fair Trade homepage
- Click on Subscribe to: Posts (Atom) button
- Click on the Subscribe Now button
ALSO
I added a new poll so you can tell us how much we are helping you understand fair trade. Don't be shy we won't be offended!!!!
If you have any suggestions e-mail us at jerseyshorefairtrade@gmail.com
we are always eager for new ideas or suggestions for our blog.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Fair Trade YouTube Video
This is a video from Fairtradefoundation
It is a fair story about fair trade.
The video is only one and a half minuets won't take long to watch!!!!
ALSO fairtradefoundation on Youtube has TONS of video's so if you have some time, surf around on their account page.
**if you type in jerseyshorefairtrade in the search bar on you tube you will find caroline and mine's you tube page. We have favored videos on our account page as well. here's our link http://www.youtube.com/user/JerseyShoreFairTrade
It is a fair story about fair trade.
The video is only one and a half minuets won't take long to watch!!!!
ALSO fairtradefoundation on Youtube has TONS of video's so if you have some time, surf around on their account page.
**if you type in jerseyshorefairtrade in the search bar on you tube you will find caroline and mine's you tube page. We have favored videos on our account page as well. here's our link http://www.youtube.com/user/JerseyShoreFairTrade
Friday, May 27, 2011
Whole Foods
Hi it's Caroline!
So, on my recent voyage to Whole Foods, I found a HUGE amount of fair trade products. Ice cream, cookies, chocolate, even Choco-Dream. It's exactly like Nutella, a chocolate- hazelnut spread. The only difference? Fair trade chocolate and hazelnuts. It tastes amazing on toast, or anything you would eat Nutella on.
In all, Whole Foods was a great place to find anything fair trade. Along with their food products, they also have fair-trade makeup, skin care, even pet products! When i went out, I easily found at least 2 bags of groceries, all fair-trade. For some things, I had to look for the fair trade symbol, but most things displayed the symbol right on the outside of the packaging. If you ever are in doubt in where to buy fair trade items, you can never go wrong with Whole Foods Market!
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/whole-trade-products.php?CID=&P=1
Just a link to a part of the Whole Foods website, dedicated to fair trade :)
wholefoodsmarket.com to see all the fair trade products
So, on my recent voyage to Whole Foods, I found a HUGE amount of fair trade products. Ice cream, cookies, chocolate, even Choco-Dream. It's exactly like Nutella, a chocolate- hazelnut spread. The only difference? Fair trade chocolate and hazelnuts. It tastes amazing on toast, or anything you would eat Nutella on.
In all, Whole Foods was a great place to find anything fair trade. Along with their food products, they also have fair-trade makeup, skin care, even pet products! When i went out, I easily found at least 2 bags of groceries, all fair-trade. For some things, I had to look for the fair trade symbol, but most things displayed the symbol right on the outside of the packaging. If you ever are in doubt in where to buy fair trade items, you can never go wrong with Whole Foods Market!
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/whole-trade-products.php?CID=&P=1
Just a link to a part of the Whole Foods website, dedicated to fair trade :)
wholefoodsmarket.com to see all the fair trade products
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Farmers Market
Hi it's Ginger!!
So, the weather has been getting MUCH nicer here in NJ and last week as I was driving by the Galleria parking lot in Red Bank I noticed the farmers market.
Galleria Red Bank Farmers Market
So, the weather has been getting MUCH nicer here in NJ and last week as I was driving by the Galleria parking lot in Red Bank I noticed the farmers market.
Galleria Red Bank Farmers Market
| 2nd Bridge Avenue, Red Bank | |
| Directions: | Parkway to Exit 109 to Red Bank |
| Phone: | (732) 530-7300 - Jimmy & Ed, Fax: (732) 530-8713 |
| Email: | sourlisinternational@gmail.com |
| Web site: | www.TheGalleriaRedBank.com |
| Open: | May 9th - Mid November, 2010, Sundays, 9am - 2pm |
| Community Farmers Market: | Variety of fruits & vegetables |
| WIC and Senior FMNP vouchers accepted by some farmers Many of the stands in the farmers market are not fair trade certified (some of the stands are fair trade certified or use fair trade ingredients). Although many of the stands sell vegetables and fruits (depending on the time of year) or other things, all the money goes to to the farmers, which is the main cause of fair trade itself. Fair Trade is meant to give enough money to farmers, or factory workers for fair wages, along with safe working conditions, and avoids child labor. Even though some of the stands are not fair trade certified, instead of going to the store and buying fruits or vegetables that have the fair trade sticker on it, the farmers market cuts out the middle man altogether and the buyer is giving the money straight to the farmers themselves. There are farmers markets all over New Jersey if you don't live near Red Bank check out this website that shows lots of farmers markets in New Jersey. Just click on this link. http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/agriculture/jerseyfresh/search.pl?type=urban&county1=monmouth I highly recommend farmers market because everything is fresh, hand made (not to mention everyones really nice). On a nice sunny day its always fun to get out and see who has a stand up this week. When you have some free time go out and try the farmers market! Hope you go to the farmers market! -Ginger | |
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Fair Trade Town Crawl
Hey! Its Ginger!
Red Bank is having a Fair Trade awareness day on Saturday, May 14 · 11:00am - 4:00pm. Check it out! "Like" the Fair Trade Town Crawl on Facebook for more information!
Shop Fair Trade all over Red Bank and participate in tastings,
demonstrations or discounts. Enter to win raffles through-
out and a chance to win the Fair Trade GRAND PRIZE,
valued at over $150! The more you participate, the more
chances you have at winning the GRAND PRIZE.
HOW IT WORKS: Sign in at TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES and
pick up a map. Visit as many businesses as you choose. A
purchase or participation will give you an opportunity to
enter that business’ raffle. Visit all, learn more about
Fair Trade, make a day of it!
WINNERS: Will be announced at the end of the business
day. You need not be present at time of drawings.
PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES:
Good Karma Cafe
17 East Front Street
50% off Fair Trade Dessert of the day!
No Joe's Cafe
51 Broad Street
Fair Trade Coffee of the Day
P.S. Poppyseeds
54 English Plaza
10% off all Rising Tide Fair Trade Bags/Beach Totes
Red Ginger Home
48 Broad Street
Fair Trade Tea Tasting
Soapmarket
12 Monmouth Street
Fair Trade Sugar Scrub Sampling
Ten Thousand Villages
69 Broad Street
Fair Trade Breakfast Bake-Off
The Cheese Cave
14 Monmouth Street
Fair Trade Coffee "Cupping"
and MORE!
Monday, May 2, 2011
I scream for ice cream!
Hi it's Caroline!
So, with summer fast approaching, there is one big thing on most people's minds: ICE CREAM!!! What's the first thing you think of when those 2 words? Probably your favorite flavor, or ice cream shop. Not fair trade ice cream! But, as crazy as it sounds, I found it: ice cream, fair trade style. When I went to Whole Foods (a supermarket with a huge array of fair trade products) I was able to find an entire brand dedicated to fair trade ice cream!! The brand also carries chocolate flavored dessert bars, and pints of ice cream in varied flavors, most of them fair trade.
Ice cream: Luna and Larry's Coconut Bliss
Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert Bar
Soy, dairy, and gluten-free
Low glycemic, agave sweetened, vegan
Naked Coconut (plain coconut flavor)
It was pretty good, but since it's dairy-free, it has a VERY different texture. Not bad, but just different. Kind of a little bit creamier. Plus, it has real pieces of coconut, which make it extra sweet. Some people might not like sweet, but I'm not one of them. If you like coconut, you will love this! :)
http://coconutbliss.com/
So, with summer fast approaching, there is one big thing on most people's minds: ICE CREAM!!! What's the first thing you think of when those 2 words? Probably your favorite flavor, or ice cream shop. Not fair trade ice cream! But, as crazy as it sounds, I found it: ice cream, fair trade style. When I went to Whole Foods (a supermarket with a huge array of fair trade products) I was able to find an entire brand dedicated to fair trade ice cream!! The brand also carries chocolate flavored dessert bars, and pints of ice cream in varied flavors, most of them fair trade.
Ice cream: Luna and Larry's Coconut Bliss
Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert Bar
Soy, dairy, and gluten-free
Low glycemic, agave sweetened, vegan
Naked Coconut (plain coconut flavor)
It was pretty good, but since it's dairy-free, it has a VERY different texture. Not bad, but just different. Kind of a little bit creamier. Plus, it has real pieces of coconut, which make it extra sweet. Some people might not like sweet, but I'm not one of them. If you like coconut, you will love this! :)
http://coconutbliss.com/
Monday, April 25, 2011
Fair trade soap!!!!
Hi it's Caroline!
I have to say, if there's one thing that gets me REALLY excited, it would have to be soap. And yes, I said soap, as in the slimy lump that is sitting on the bottom of your bathtub right now. Seriously, I really love it. :) In Red Bank, the next town over from Fair Haven, there's a shop called the Soap Market. Judging on my first sentence, you can guess my reaction to that store :) When Ginger and I went on our little fair trade adventure earlier this year, one of the stores listed as fair trade was Soap Market. When we finally got there, we found there were 2 kinds of fair trade soap in the store. So, I took one brand, and Ginger took the other. Of course, I've completely forgotten what brand of soap Ginger has, but I have mine!My soap:
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps
All-One Hemp Almond Pure-Castile Soap
This soap supports fair trade, organic agriculture, and a healthy environment.
My review:
The soap was very light and clean, plus it smelled really good, like sweet almonds. The only thing I didn't like was that the scent faded way too quickly, like after 3 minutes. Overall, I really liked this soap, plus it's 100% vegan, and packaged in recycled paper. :)
http://www.soapmarketonline.com/
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Why I Care
Hey its Ginger!
Today I wanted to talk about how I learned about fair trade things, and why I care now.
I knew about fair trade for a long time because of Ten Thousand Villages in Red Bank where my sister volunteered and I spent a lot of time in. Even though this was a great source of information it never really hit me until I went.
on a social justice trip to Dominican Republic the summer of 2010. On this trip I went and visited a fair trade factory in Villa Altagracia that makes Alta Gracia clothing. There, a manager explained how these workers got fair wages, fair rules and a clean environment. The workers seemed happy and friendly toward us (they couldn't talk more than just a smile or wave because they were working). Alta Garcia, the fair trade clothing line, is affiliated with over 175 collages and universities.
After going to the factory I met with people who work in this Fair Trade factory that used to work in sweat shops. They described (through a translator) some of the things they used to go through every day to keep their job. They described violence in the factory, workers weren't allowed to take breaks (not even a bathroom break), no sick days, Pregnant women were fired.
and that's only the things I can remember.
So when I came back to the U.S.A. I felt like I had to do something. Even if it was just sharing experiences and knowledge. something.
At the end of the meeting with the workers, someone asked, "what can we do to help?" the answered, "talk. tell people about whats happening. Then try and influence people to buy things from fair trade consumers. Anything will help"to learn more about Alta Gracia clothing line visit this website
http://workersrights.org/verification/
-Ginger
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Fair-Trade Clothing
Hi it's Caroline!
A few days ago, while I was reserching for my next blog, I decided to look up fair trade clothing. In the aspect of fair trade, clothes are probably one of the worst offenders. See, people will go and buy fair-trade coffee, or chocolate, but clothes? Yeah... no thanks. I see their point, thant a lot people are super-picky about the clothes they wear, or have an allergy to materials used in some clothes. I think that the real difference is that most clothing brands don't offer fair- trade clothing, and people aren't going out and looking for fair-trade clothing. I know we've all seen "made in China" printed on the tag of our shirts at least once, but does it make you think? About those workers in China, making the clothes you're wearing now? It's probabaly not fair-trade made clothing, so the workers probably don't have safe working conditions or even minimum-wage pay. Just so you can wear that nice shirt to school one day. People ask, "Why don't they just stop working there?" Like Ginger mentioned in one of her blogs, they can't, because there is literally no other work where they live. So maybe, if we buy from fair-trade companies, say Ten Thousand Villages, over non fair-trade companies, like Gap, or Target, we can convince these non fair-trade companies to incorperate some fair-trade items. I'm not saying you all have to stop shopping at stores that aren't fair-trade, since, let's face it, fair-trade companies don't make every single thing that we use daily, but just switching over small things, like coffee, a fair-trade shirt, maybe some skin care products, is what really makes a difference :)
While I was reserching fair-trade clothing, I found the company Avatar Imports, an all fair-trade clothing company. This is probably one of my favorite things from there, thanks to the awesome owls on the front :)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Where Fair Trade Red Bank Started
Hey it's Ginger again!
This was awhile ago when Caroline and I went to Red Bank to look at Fair Trade stores.
This video was made for people to see what the store looks like on the inside of the store (it was also fun to just to play with the things they have in there.).
Ten Thousand Villages is a chain that is in many different states in the US. I've seen them in both Connecticut and New York (around Albany I think).
Take a look in one sometime. It's a great store to buy gifts because it is a gift that gives twice (it's the only store my dad will shop for Christmas gifts).
For any questions e-mail us at jerseyshorefairtrade@gmail.com
keep checking back on our blog. We update it at least once a week.
See you next time! -Ginger
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Why is This Important?
Hi it's Ginger!Now that both Caroline and I have talked about some places we've been in town that have Fair Trade items it occurred to me that some people may be wondering why this has any importance whatsoever.
These two images appear on on fair trade items so you know what is or isn't fair trade when you are shopping.
These two images appear on on fair trade items so you know what is or isn't fair trade when you are shopping.
Fair trade is about giving farmers or factory workers or other workers fair wages, safe working conditions, and avoids child labor. When you buy that coffee, chocolate, tea, anything really, you are paying someone, somewhere.
The question is:
How much?
Who?
Under what conditions?
When buying fair trade products these questions do not need to be asked. Everyone is treated fairly in fair trade environments (hence the name).
A common question is: Do fair trade items cost more than non fair trade items? Not necessarily, when I bought fair trade items in Red Bank the other day I did not notice a vast difference in cost while purchasing.
This may be surprising to some when I say that companies that are not fair trade sometimes are still extremely expensive. Not because of the supplies they need to make the product, because of the greedy "higher ups" of the company. It's simple really, they take money that the lower workers would be getting and move it into their large bulging paycheck.
Another common question: Why don't the workers that are being mistreated in sweatshops just quit?
My answer to this is that if they quit they will have no money whatsoever. In many cases the worker is getting by on the little amount of income they have for food and shelter and other basic supplies. If there was a factory next door that had a help wanted sign in the window. Then yes, they probably would quit. Unfortunately in many places this is simply not an option. In the slums of many countries there are tons of people looking for a job. If they quit there are plenty of people that are practically lined up to take the job.
The only way to stop this is through the buyers. Us. We can make a difference to these people if we make the effort together.
If the companies realize that their businesses would grow if they changed the way they are treating their workers, chances are they probably would.
For any other questions e-mail
JerseyShoreFairTrade@gmail.com
Remember to follow our blog! <3 Ginger
Friday, March 25, 2011
The Body Shop
Hi it's Caroline!
For the last few weeks or so, I've been reserching and testing Fair Trade products. There is one specific store I have become a HUGE fan of, and they have a variety of Fair Trade products. What store? The Body Shop! They actually don't call it Fair Trade in The Body Shop, but they have Community Trade, which is mostly the same thing, but focuses a lot more on all natural and organic products. In the store, they have Community Trade perfume, face wash, moisturizer, body butter, even shampoo and conditioner.
Of the products that I actually tested (which were a lot, since I kind of went Fair Trade crazy in The Body Shop) I'll talk about 2 of my favorite things:
1. Coconut Lip Butter- No more chapped lips! This lip butter is so hydrating that my lips stay moisturized into the next day! It also smells amazing and is made with organic beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil, all Fair trade!
2. Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer SPF 30- This moisturizer is really light, so I love to use it in the morning . It is made with camu camu berry and Fair Trade sesame oil!
So, as you can see, I'm kind of obsessed with The Body Shop right now, and its many Fair Trade products :)
<3
For the last few weeks or so, I've been reserching and testing Fair Trade products. There is one specific store I have become a HUGE fan of, and they have a variety of Fair Trade products. What store? The Body Shop! They actually don't call it Fair Trade in The Body Shop, but they have Community Trade, which is mostly the same thing, but focuses a lot more on all natural and organic products. In the store, they have Community Trade perfume, face wash, moisturizer, body butter, even shampoo and conditioner.
Of the products that I actually tested (which were a lot, since I kind of went Fair Trade crazy in The Body Shop) I'll talk about 2 of my favorite things:
1. Coconut Lip Butter- No more chapped lips! This lip butter is so hydrating that my lips stay moisturized into the next day! It also smells amazing and is made with organic beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil, all Fair trade!
2. Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer SPF 30- This moisturizer is really light, so I love to use it in the morning . It is made with camu camu berry and Fair Trade sesame oil!
So, as you can see, I'm kind of obsessed with The Body Shop right now, and its many Fair Trade products :)
<3
Monday, March 21, 2011
Picky Eaters
Hey it's Ginger! Just wanted to tell you guys about when I went to Red Bank NJ with Caroline to look for Fair Trade items in town. We started out at Pizza Fusion
because we thought the name sounded really cool and because it was a new restaurant in town that both of us were curious about. The waiter discussed all the Fair Trade items that they sold including hot or cold tea and their fair trade flour in the crusts of the pizzas.
I got bottled tea (called Honest Tea)
and a small plain pizza. The tea was not only fair trade but organic, gluten free, and has no GMO's. As for the taste of the tea I'm not going to lie, it didn't taste like a Snapple like I'm used to. It was a little less sweet but still good. I have bought Honest Tea since then and have grown to like it. If given the choice of Snapple and Honest Tea I would choose Honest Tea not only because it has so many good qualities like being Fair Trade but I've also grown to like the taste a lot.
As for the pizza, it was delicious. Oven baked perfection, in my opinion. Not too greasy or too filling, just right. All the ingredients according to our waiter were all natural and very fresh. I would go back anytime.
I got bottled tea (called Honest Tea)
and a small plain pizza. The tea was not only fair trade but organic, gluten free, and has no GMO's. As for the taste of the tea I'm not going to lie, it didn't taste like a Snapple like I'm used to. It was a little less sweet but still good. I have bought Honest Tea since then and have grown to like it. If given the choice of Snapple and Honest Tea I would choose Honest Tea not only because it has so many good qualities like being Fair Trade but I've also grown to like the taste a lot.
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