
Remembering author Miranda Paul’s Oct 29, 2019 visit to Fond du Lac Schools.
Clubs & Organizations, Community Engagement, Diversity, Fair Trade
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
by Anne Lemke, Moraine Park Technical College

On October 29, in celebration of Fair Trade Month, the Moraine Park Technical Fair Trade College and Just Fare Market hosted a wonderful education event!

Over 600 Grades 3-5 students and teachers from FDL and NFDL elementary schools, Riverside, STEM, and Friendship, and 50 plus community members enjoyed an amazing story from One Plastic Bag Author Miranda Paul!

The evening event also included educational community partner displays focused on the Fair Trade Principle of “respecting the environment” from Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, CD Smith, FDL Audubon, Sustain FDL, UWFDL Fair Trade University and FDL Fair Trade Towns!

Miranda Paul has been a teacher in Gambia as well as the owner of a Fair Trade store in Green Bay. Her presentation focused on two of her books, “One Plastic Bag” and “I am Farmer.” One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia tells the inspiring story of five women who creatively dealt with their village’s plastic trash problem. Despite limited resources and ridicule, Isatou and her friends persevered for more than a decade, eventually realizing economic empowerment through their recycled plastic purse project.

I am Farmer, written in collaboration with Baptiste Paul, is the true story of how environmentalist Farmer Tantoh is transforming the landscape in his home country of Cameroon. When Tantoh Nforba was a child, his fellow students mocked him for his interest in gardening. Today he’s an environmental hero, and bringing clean water and bountiful gardens to the central African nation of Cameroon.

A big thank you to Just Fare Market for their Fair Trade education leadership and education grants from CSA and FDL Area Foundation in bringing Miranda Paul to visit for Fair Trade Month! Each 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classroom also received a copy of One Plastic Bag and were able to get their books autographed by Miranda!
See lots more amazing event photos here!

November 13, 2019by Anne Lemke





Community Engagement, Fair Trade
Fair Trade Activities!

Celebrate Fair Trade Month at Moraine Park- Tuesday, October 29!
- Global Fair Trade Market from 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.
- Local environmental sustainability organizations will be on site starting at 5 p.m.
- Keynote speaker, Miranda Paul, author of the inspirational story of the women of Gambia, “One Plastic Bag”, begins at 6 p.m.
More details can be found here, or by emailing alemke2@morainepark.edu.
A presentation about human trafficking will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10 at Fond du Lac Public Library’s Eugene G. McLane Meeting Room.
What is Human Trafficking? Do I Support It without Knowing It? will include guest speaker Nancy Irizarry, co-chair of Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Consortium.
The event is sponsored by Fond du Lac Fair Trade Town Steering Committee and is planned in support of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. In 2007, the U.S. Senate designated Jan. 11 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day dedicated to raising awareness of sexual slavery and human trafficking worldwide. Although it is a U.S. initiative, the United Nations has begun to highlight this topic and work towards global awareness.
On Dec. 10, Fond du Lac City Council issued a proclamation against human trafficking, acknowledging that it will not be tolerated in the area.
For more information, visit fonddulacfairtradetown.wordpress.com or contact Carol Smith at infofairtradefdl@yahoo.com.
Fair Trade Month events presented the next two weeks.
Action Advertiser, Sunday, October 19, 2014
Connected by Coffee, a new documentary described by Video Librarian Magazine as “An eye-opening behind-the-scenes look at the real world of coffee…Highly recommended” will be screened at two locations on October 22. This is the first comprehensive film about coffee since the 2006 release of Black Gold. Moraine Park Technical College will screen the film in room A112 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm and Marian University will show the film in the second floor Stayer Center Amphitheater from 6:30-8:30 pm. Two of the people in the film will be available via modern technology for Questions and Answers after the Marian showing.
On Saturday, October 25, the public is invited to a free continental breakfast at the former Gift N’ Gab at Old Mill Plaza from 9:30-11:30 am. Anak, an artisan from Village Works in Cambodia will make a presentation about the work and impact of this Fair Trade organization.
On Wednesday, October 29, from 11:30 am -1:00 pm, Moraine Park Technical College, Fond du Lac Campus will host a presentation by Nancy Irizarry, Co-chair of the Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Consortium. She will speak about Human Trafficking and ways Fair Trade organizations are preventing human trafficking as well as helping victims escape sex slavery. The presentation will be in Room A112.
Connected by Fair Trade – October is Fair Trade Month
During Fair Trade month, people all across the world come together to learn about and celebrate Fair Trade. In our local area, Just Fare Market, Fond du Lac Fair Trade Town, Moraine Park Technical College, UW-Fond du Lac, and Marian University are connecting to educate and celebrate with a number of special events throughout the month. We encourage everyone to attend these important events to learn more about how our support of artisans and farmers in developing countries can truly make a difference. All events are free and open to the public.
MPTC Lunch n Learn
• Moraine Park Technical College – FDL Campus (Room A112) October 1 – 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. What is Fair Trade and how does it impact the lives of artisans and farmers in developing countries?
Fair Trade Film Showing “Connected by Coffee” An inspiring and thought-provoking look into the lives and history of the people who grow the coffee we drink.
• UW-Fond du Lac Prairie Theater October 7 – 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Moraine Park Technical College – FDL Campus (Room A112) October 22 – 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
•Marian University Stayer Center Amphitheater October 22 – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Meet & Greet: Anak of Village Works
• Old Mill Plaza (Former Gift n Gab Coffee Shop) N7645 N. Peebles Lane, Fond du Lac October 25 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Join Just Fare Market in welcoming Anak, an artisan from Village Works in Cambodia, visiting the U.S. on a special tour sponsored by SERRV.
Human Trafficking Presentation
• Moraine Park Technical College – FDL Campus (Room A112) October 29 – 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Human Trafficking Presentation featuring guest speaker Nancy Irizarry, Winnebago County Social Services Director of the Wisconsin Resource Center and Co-chair of the WI Anti-Human Trafficking Consortium.
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Fair Trade Month Celebrations in October 2013Black Gold shown on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 6 p.m. in the McLean Room at Fond du Lac Public Library.
Tadesse Meskela is one man on a mission to save his 74,000 struggling coffee farmers from bankruptcy. As his farmers strive to harvest some of the highest quality coffee beans on the international market, Tadesse travels the world in an attempt to find buyers willing to pay a fair price.”Our hope is one day the consumer will understand what they are drinking. Consumers can bring a change if awareness is given to consumers. It is not only on coffee, all products are getting a very low price – and the producers are highly affected.” http://www.oromiacoffeeunion.org |
The Price of Sugar will be shown on Monday, October 28, 2013 at 6 p.m. in the McLean Room at Fond du Lac Public Library.On the Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic, tourists flock to pristine beaches, with little knowledge that a few miles away thousands of dispossessed Haitians are under armed guard on plantations harvesting sugarcane, most of which ends up in US kitchens. Cutting cane by machete, they work 14 hour days, 7 days a week, frequently without access to decent housing, electricity, clean water, education, healthcare or adequate nutrition. The Price of Sugar (2007) follows a charismatic Spanish priest, Father Christopher Hartley, as he organizes some of this hemisphere’s poorest people, challenging the powerful interests profiting from their work. This film raises key questions about where the products we consume originate, at what human cost they are produced and ultimately, where our responsibility lies. Written by Louise Rosen Ltd.![]() |
May 9, 2013 Declaration Ceremony naming Fond du Lac a Fair Trade Town
City Council President Sam Meyer and City Manager Joe Moore accepted the Declaration Certificate from Jim Hubbard of the Fair Trade Town Steering Committee naming Fond du Lac as the 32nd Fair Trade Town in the U.S. Mr. Moore commented that the assembled group of about 50 people represented awareness of diversity of people across the globe. Jim Hubbard indicated that this designation shows the progressive nature of the city of Fond du Lac and represents the first step toward building awareness until everyone in Fond du Lac understands Fair Trade.
Jim Hubbard explains the process for becoming a Fair Trade Town and discusses the benefits of Fair Trade.
Fond du Lac to celebrate Fair Trade Town designation
What is Fair Trade?
• Fond du Lac Fair Trade Town Initiative is a community-based organization.
• Its mission statement is, “As a Fair Trade Town, Fond du Lac encourages its citizens to be conscientious consumers who advocate for the principles of Fair Trade.”
• More information is available at fonddulacfairtradetown.wordpress.com.
Fond du Lac has been named the 32nd Fair Trade Town in the United States and the third in Wisconsin.
A declaration ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, May 9, at the Fond du Lac City-County Government Center, 160 S. Macy Street. The event is hosted by Fond du Lac Fair Trade Town Initiative and the City of Fond du Lac. City Manager Joe Moore, Fond du Lac City Council members, Fair Trade businesses and organizations, and members of the Fair Trade Town Initiative steering committee will participate.
The public is invited. Refreshments will include Fair Trade coffee, chocolate and bananas.
The Fond du Lac City Council passed a resolution in support of Fair Trade Town Fond du Lac on Jan. 23. The Fair Trade Town designation is accomplished by meeting criteria set by Fair Trade Towns USA. Criteria include identifying a specific number of businesses and organizations that sell or serve Fair Trade products, having an active steering committee, and sustaining a community awareness program.
Participating businesses and organizations will display “Proud Supporter — Fair Trade Towns USA” in their windows. Many businesses identify Fair Trade products with special signs. Numerous local retailers are interested in adding products to their inventory, according to an event pres release.
Fair Trade supporters in the Fond du Lac area include Blue Goose Coffee House, Common Grounds Coffee House at Marian University, Festival Foods, Gallery & Frame Shop, Gift N’ Gab, Living Light Studio, Just Fare Market, Solid Grounds Coffee Shop-Reach Out Books, Solid Grounds Coffee Shop-Spirit of Life Church, Treasures Unlimited Gift Shop-Lutheran Homes and Health Services, Village Market, Ascension Lutheran Church, Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, First Presbyterian Church, Holy Family Catholic Community, Hope Lutheran Church, Memorial Baptist Church, Open Circle Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and Pilgrim United Church of Christ.
“Earning the Fair Trade Town designation is just the beginning,” said Ellen Swan, Fair Trade Town Initiative chairperson. “By choosing Fair Trade products to sell and serve, businesses and organizations have shown that as a community we want global relationships based on fairness and mutual respect, and products that seek to protect the environment and build healthy, stable communities in the developing world.”
Fair Trade has been part of the Fond du Lac 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 2007 and expanded and relocated to Peebles Lane in 2011.
City Council Passes Fair Trade Town Resolution, from the Action Advertiser – Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Fond du Lac’s Fair Trade Town Initiative got a boost on January 23 when the City Council approved a resolution declaring Fond du Lac to be a Fair Trade Town. Fond du Lac meets the criteria set by Fair Trade USA, which includes identifying at least eight businesses or organizations that sell or serve Fair Trade products. While a City Council resolution is not required, it is encouraged by Fair Trade USA. Jim Hubbard, Fair Trade Town Steering Committee member, presented the resolution to the Council on behalf of the Initiative.
JUST FARE MARKET FEATURED ON TV – Fond du Lac Reporter, January 15, 2013
Just Fare Market, N7645 N. Peebles Lane, Fond du Lac, will be highlighted on Green Bay’s Channel 5 “On the Road” on Sunday, January 20. The feature will air between 6 and 8 a.m. “On the Road’ focuses on places of interest in the Green Bay station’s viewing area. Just Fare Market is one of several businesses selling Fair Trade products and is a leader in the Fair Trade Towns Initiative. The Initiative includes community awareness of Fair Trade products and seeks to gain Fond du Lac’s certification as a Fair Trade Town.
According to Fair Trade Towns Initiative sources, “Choosing to purchase Fair Trade products means endorsing an economic system that provides opportunities for producers to lift themselves out of poverty. Fair Trade provides assurances to consumers that producers are paid fair prices for their products and labor. In addition, Fair Trade provides a set of requirements that assure consumers that strict standards have been met to protect the environment, build economic sustainability, empower women, and allow opportunities for education, poverty alleviation, and health care.”
For information on the Fair Trade Towns Initiative, visit http://www.fairtradetownsusa.org or contact Ellen Swan, chair of the Fond du Lac Fair Trade Towns Initiative steering committee at ellen_swan@hotmail.com.
Fair Trade Towns Grant – Fond du Lac Reporter, December 16, 2012
The “Fond du Lac Fair Trade Town Initiative” has recently been awarded a $500.00 grant from the national Fair Trade Towns USA/Fair Trade USA for support of building our local Fair Trade Town campaign. The Fond du Lac Fair Trade Town Initiative is an all-volunteer grassroots organization formed to raise the profile of the Fair Trade movement and promote Fair Trade products in Fond du Lac. As a Fair Trade Town, our mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, that foster mutually beneficial relationships between producers and consumers, and that demonstrate the contribution of Fair Trade to a more sustainable world through international commerce. “Fond du Lac Fair Trade Town Initiative” is a member of Fair Trade Towns USA, a national network of towns, cities, and other municipalities demonstrating their commitment to the principles of Fair Trade. Billy Linstead Goldsmith, National Coordinator of Fair Trade Campaigns, said of the Fond du Lac Grant award: “It is my pleasure to inform you that the grant proposal that was submitted on behalf of the Fond du Lac Fair Trade Town campaign has been approved! I am excited to see how you are able to utilize this infusion of resources to further grow the Fair Trade movement in Fond du Lac and beyond.”
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What it means to be a Fair Trade Town – Action Advertiser, October 19, 2012
Gail Bennett-Christian will talk about “What it means to be a Fair Trade Town” on Monday, October 22, 6:30 p.m. in the McLane Room at Fond du Lac Public Library. The event, sponsored by Fond du Lac Fair Trade Town Initiative, is free and open to the public. Samples of Fair Trade coffee and chocolate will be served.
Ms. Bennett-Christian is on the National Steering Committee for Fair Trade Towns, USA, a committee member of Milwaukee Fair Trade Coalition, and co-owner of Fair Trade For All, a Fair Trade store in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. “Fond du Lac Fair Trade Town Initiative” is an all-volunteer grassroots organization formed to raise the profile of the Fair Trade movement and promote Fair Trade products in Fond du Lac. As a Fair Trade Town, the mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, that foster mutually beneficial relationships between producers and consumers, and that demonstrate the contribution of Fair Trade to a more sustainable world through international commerce. “Fond du Lac Fair Trade Town Initiative” is a member of Fair Trade Towns USA, a national network of towns, cities, and other municipalities demonstrating their commitment to the principles of Fair Trade.
Fair Trade Banana producers Make Oct 16 visit in FDL during U.S. tour. Action Sunday, October 14, 2012
For every two pieces of fruit that cross the US border, one is a banana. Jorge William Restrepo and Felipe Echeverri Zapata, workers from Bananeras di Uraba, a Fair Trade banana estate in Colombia will stop in Fond du Lac on Tuesday, Oct 16 during a 14-day speaking tour to promote the national Go Bananas for Fair Trade campaign.
Fond du Lac is one stop during their trip through the United States before participating in the Fair Trade Campaigns Conference in Chicago, Il. Other stops during their visit include Madison, Minneapolis, Omaha, Neb., Kansas City, and Chicago. Their trip is sponsored by Fair Trade Towns USA and they will be accompanied by the National Organizer during their time spent in the U.S.
Fair Trade is a comprehensive approach to social and economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability among farming communities in the developing world. Restrepo and Zapata’s visit will give Fond du Lac residents a deeper understanding of the workings and impact of Fair Trade.