Friday, November 02, 2007 Group launches program to lure more users of fair trade products
A CEBU-based organization has launched a program to further promote the use of fair trade products.
The “Amigo sa Fair Trade” program, organized by the Southern Partners and Fair Trade Corp. (SPFTC), is a partnership designed to encourage more patrons of fair trade products, particularly those distributed by the People’s Fair Trade Shop, the marketing arm of fair traders in Cebu.
“Once they have the ‘Am-igo sa Fair Trade’ logo displayed in their establishments, foreigners and locals who support fair trade would have more reason to patronize your business,” said SPFTC managing director Geraldine Labradores.
Among those that support fair trade is international coffee shop company Starbucks, whose coffee beans are supplied by fair trade growers, Labradores said in an interview.
She said buyers or users of fair trade products can use the fair trade certification in their marketing efforts.
She said the “Amigo sa Fair Trade” program is meant to increase awareness of Filipinos about the benefits of using fair trade products.
She said lack of knowledge about fair trade is “hurting” marginalized manufacturers and producers as not more than one percent of Filipinos buy locally-made certified items.
“There’s always the (notion) that anything made from the Philippines is not good,” she said.
This is why SPFTC is determined to strengthen its marketing campaign at the local level, she said.
Aside from the “Amigo sa Fair Trade” program, SPFTC is organizing the Young Advocates (Ya!) of Fair Trade, to build a network of young fair trade followers between 18 to 35 years old.
The youth group aims to perform community service activities designed to help small farmers and producers as well as create links with fair trade youth advocates in other parts of the world. (MMM)
