Tinder, Pokémon GO, Coffee Lines: Fair Trade Month Quiz Asks “How Fair Are You”
Washington, DC (PRWEB) September 29, 2016 -- Just how “fair” are people when it comes to Tinder dates, Pokémon GO etiquette, or waiting in line for a morning cup of coffee? Those and more are some of the questions Fairtrade America poses in its Fairest of Them All Quiz during Fair Trade Month this October. Participants can take the test, share their results (#FairestState) with friends, and make a pledge to buy more ethically to win Fairtrade prizes. Overall findings are continuously tallied on the evolving “Fairness Map” on the organization’s home page.
“This fun test will be a barometer of the nation’s attitude around fairness, particularly relevant in this political season,” says Kyle Freund, Fairtrade America Spokesperson and Digital Content Manager. “The term ‘fairness’ means different things to different people. We want to start a discussion and get people thinking about their personal values and how they play out in everyday situations. By the end we’ll get an interesting– if unscientific – reading on which state is the fairest.”
Questions delve into what people would do if their Tinder match didn’t match the profile photo, proper etiquette if there’s an Articuno nearby during work hours, or what someone might do if crowded subway doors are closing or the lines at the coffee shop are too long.
Test takers will be able to make a pledge on the website, faireststate.fairtradeamerica.org, and be entered to win prizes throughout the month, including apparel, chocolate, coffee and flowers. The website also includes a “Candid Camera”-type video highlighting decisions people make in everyday situations.
Fairtrade America will officially launch the quiz at the Ohio Fair Trade Teach-In & Expo on October 1 at John Carroll University in University Heights, OH. There also will be a range of workshops from the fair trade principles to how Fairtrade certification works at the international level.
The global market in Fairtrade-certified goods was estimated at $8.1 billion in 2015, according to Fairtrade International. Globally there are more than 32,600 products in 130 countries carrying the Fairtrade label.
To drive home the discussion on fairness, Fairtrade America highlights three “Fairness Stories” on the website, including Greyston Bakery in Yonkers, NY; the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, and Karina Newman, UCLA student:
- Dion Drew, Greyston Bakery: Yonkers, NY-based Greyston Bakery makes the brownie bites in Ben & Jerry’s delicious ice cream. But their business and working practices are equally eye-opening and demonstrate how a commitment to fairness can help both individuals, and their communities, to thrive. Greyston’s open hiring policy means they provide employment without prejudice, regardless of background or work history.
Take Dion Drew, for example. When few would employ him, he added his name to Greyston’s list and got the call. By working for Greyston, Dion went from being an “ex-drug dealer and convict” to a “Greyston Bakery Supervisor and Father.”
Greyston strive to source the best, most fairly-produced ingredients, believing their products should make a difference from start to finish. http://greyston.com/
- Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA), Belize: Sugar cane farming accounts for the livelihood of as much as a seventh of the Belize population, and often those working in the Sugar Belt are among the most impoverished. It can be precarious work, beholden to the elements, demanding significant expertise, and understanding to sustain production.
The BSCFA was first Fairtrade certified in 2008 and through careful investment, support, and education, the association has been able to endure tough economic and physical circumstances to become stronger and ready for what the future brings.
Fairtrade Premiums have afforded farmers like Rudelia Vasquez opportunities such as a scholarship so that she can afford her grandson’s school fees and buy him a uniform, books, and shoes. http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/en/farmers-and-workers/sugar/bscfa
- Karina Newman, UCLA: Karina Newman has been instrumental in transforming UCLA into a Fair Trade Campus. Karina saw the desire for social justice in her fellow students, but knew they needed a leader – a gap she filled. She ticked off the steps to getting a designated Fair Trade Campaign. She built a team to reach out to campus outlets, and brought Fairtrade products into campus events and meetings. The university administration committed to educating people about fair trade, and eventually passed a Fair Trade Resolution. Today, UCLA is the largest Fair Trade Campus in the USA, but Karina wants to be sure Fairtrade coffee is standard in every cafe on campus. http://www.e3ucla.org/fair-trade-campaign.html
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About Fairtrade America: Fairtrade is an alternative approach to trade that empowers farmers and workers, companies and consumers to share the benefits of trade more equally. Our vision is a world in which all farmers and workers can enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential, and shape their own future. By complying with the social, economic, and environmental criteria in the internationally-agreed Fairtrade Standards, farmers, traders, and brands can improve the sustainability of their entire supply chain. The FAIRTRADE Mark, licensed by Washington, DC-based Fairtrade America in the United States, is one of the most recognized and trusted ethical label worldwide. Learn more at http://www.fairtradeamerica.org or follow Fairtrade America on @FairtradeMarkUS.
Sandra Marquardt, Fairtrade America, http://www.fairtradeamerica.org/, +1 3015920077, [email protected]
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