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Campaign Spotlight: Fond du Lac, WI

Courtney Lang May 17, 2013

The Fair Trade Fond du Lac team!

The Fair Trade Fond du Lac team!

Fair Trade has been part of the Fond du Lac, Wisconsin landscape for several years, with First Presbyterian Church, Holy Family Catholic Community, and Pilgrim United Church of Christ leading the way by selling and serving Fair Trade products.  The Just Fare Market opened at First Presbyterian Church; in spite of limited space and open hours, the Market thrived and became the leader for Fair Trade in Fond du Lac.  Volunteers put in countless hours, not only in the store, but in “taking the show on the road” to various community events.  This was invaluable in building community awareness and support of the Fair Trade movement.

In 2012, Just Fare Market moved to a new site, part of a small strip mall on the outskirts of Fond du Lac.  The new location gave credibility to the store as it became recognized as part of the business community.  The Just Fare Market Board of Directors gave full support to seeking designation of a Fair Trade Town.

In early 2012, a steering committee formed to set goals and a time line.  Thanks to the energy and insight of the committee members and Fair Trade supporters, Fond du Lac achieved their goals ahead of schedule and received designation as a Fair Trade Town on January 30, 2013. 

Finding volunteers who have the time to match their interest can be a challenge.  The steering committee was small, but thanks to ongoing recruiting efforts, the committee continues to grow.   Tapping into the expertise of the Fair Trade Education Committee, presentations are made to schools, service clubs, businesses, and governmental bodies.  Important community awareness of Fair Trade and the Fair Trade Towns Initiative is building, bringing more businesses and organizations into the Fair Trade fold.

Steering committee members make personal visits to Fair Trade businesses and organizations to present the Fair Trade window sticker for display.  During the visit, Fair Trade representatives offer information on the Fair Trade movement, highlight how working together can expand a business, and offers a presentation to employees of the business to increase their knowledge of and commitment to the Fair Trade movement.  On May 9, during Fair Trade Week, City officials, Fair Trade businesses and organizations, and Fair Trade supporters celebrated the Fair Trade Town Fond du Lac designation with a ribbon cutting on the steps of City Hall. 

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, with a population of 44,000, is the 32nd city in the U. S. to be named a Fair Trade Town, and the 3rd in Wisconsin.  Check out our website at http://fonddulacfairtradetown.wordpress.com

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Courtney Lang, National Organizer | Fair Trade Campaigns

Courtney Lang brings over 5 years of community organizing to Fair Trade Towns USA, building both the Local Food and Fair Trade networks in Vermont. As Local Food Coordinator with City Market/Onion River Cooperative, Courtney worked with local producers, institutions and consumers to grow the local food system and organize a strategic model for community engagement through farm tours, workshops, and local food challenges. Like many in the Fair Trade industry, Courtney was inspired to take action in Fair Trade when she witnessed child-labor first hand in Costa Rica. As a founding member of Fair Trade Burlington, she has worked with economic development organizations, businesses, and consumers to build awareness of Fair Trade among Vermonters. She also worked with a Fair Trade USA licensee, Vermont Coffee Company, as Friend Ambassador where she united the story of Fair Trade to every purchase of coffee.