News &amp Events

What's New in 2008

• Second Cup Launches Fair Trade Coffee. In December The Second Cup Coffee Company introduced their first blend of Fair Trade coffee. The Peruvian blend is called CUZCO. The launch was promoted in publications such as the Air Canada enRoute Magazine. Second Cup is located in the Georgian Mall and also at 74 Dunlop St. E. See Photo.
• Costco has introduced Fair Trade hot chocolate in attractive ceramic canisters. The hot chocolate is supplied by Galerie au Chocolat of Montreal.
• President's Choice has introduced its own brand of Fair Trade chocolate. Available as milk or dark 100g bars, the chocolate is available in Zehrs Supermarkets for $2.49 / bar.
• Fair Trade oranges and bananas are now available at Zehrs on Bayfield St.
• GEAR (Georgian Students for Environmental Awareness and Research) are converting a bicycle into a coffee grinder to be used in conjunction with their Coffee Monday promotions of Fair Trade.
• A great new book Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart, Algonquin Books, provides a detailed look at the international flower trade. 80% of the cut flowers sold in the US (10 million flowers per day) are imported. 88% of these enter the US via Miami from Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Columbia. The flowers are extensively sprayed with pesticides and fungicides, many of which are illegal in Canada and the US. There is little to no protection for workers handling these flowers. The book describes the introduction of Fair Trade to this market. Note that Fair Trade flowers are available at A&P on Bayfield St. See photos.
• The A&P Bayfield Street store now sells Fair Trade flowers. Not all of their flowers are Fair Trade but this is an excellent start.
• Costco has expanded their selection of Fair Trade Coffee to include Van Houtte as well as Starbucks and Timothy's.
• Sandra Junkin, teacher at St. Joan of Arc Secondary School received the official designation as "Awesome Teacher" at a recent school assembly for her work in promoting Fair Trade.
• The City Of Barrie passed a motion to revise their purchasing policy to encourage the use Fair Trade products wherever possible. It will also encourage local Faith Groups, Schools and other organizations to use Fair Trade products.
• Shoppers Drug Marts now provide a variety of Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate.
• The Downtowner restaurant (previously Webbers) now displays Fair Trade Organic Coffee on it's menu as one of the available beverages.
• Petro Canada has now introduced Fair Trade into a number of their stations. The coffee cups and displays are branded Java Stop and include both the Fair Trade logo and the Petro Canada website.
• Chartwells Food Services offers Fair Trade. According to Shaun Hodgson of Georgian College, Chartwells, a major supplier of food services to Canadian colleges and universities has now added Fair Trade coffee to their selection of coffees.
• Costco has expanded their selection of Fair Trade Coffee to include Van Houtte as well as Starbucks and Timothy's. See photos.
• Casa Cappuccino, located downtown in Fred Grant Square, now offers both Fair Trade tea and Fair Trade coffee.
• The Loblaws group of companies has launched a President's Choice brand of Fair Trade coffee. They are organic, arabica blends that are reasonably priced. These coffees are available in most Loblaws, Zehrs, Fortinos, Real Canadian Superstore, Atlantic Superstore, Maxi, SuperValu and No Frills.

2008 Events

1. January 17th, Georgian College Film Night. Fair Trade coffee served and Information table provided by Shaun Hodgson. See photos.
2. January 27th, Huronia Symphony Concert, 7:30 pm at Collier Street United Church. Sponsored by Starbucks Coffee, Fair Trade coffee was served and an information table was provided. See photos.
3. Every Monday in January, Georgian College Environmental Group. Fair Trade coffee served in the foyer of the Georgian College library.
4. February 2nd, 8 am till noon, Barrie Winterfest, Pancake Breakfast, Barrie Central United Church. President's Choice Fair Trade Coffee provided by Zehrs Bayfield St. and Information Table staffed by BFTWG. See photos.
5. February 14th, Georgian College Film Night, Africville promoting Black History Month. Fair Trade coffee served and Information table provided by Shaun Hodgson.
6. February 15th, Maple Grove Public School. Fair Trade presentation and workshop with grades 7 & 8 Social Justice Group.
7. Every Monday in February, Georgian College Environmental Group. Fair Trade coffee served in the foyer of the Georgian College library.
8. March 13th, MacLaren Art Centre. The Georgian College University Partnership Centre presented an evening with Guangjun Cao Ph.D. in mathematics, a Buddhist monk, born a Muslim. The author of "Who Created God" shared his ideas. A Fair Trade information table and coffee was provided. See photos.
9. March 20th, Georgian College Film Night. Think Series featured the film "Superslim Me", Celebrating International Women's Day. A Fair Trade information table and coffee was provided.
10. April 19th, MacLaren Art Centre, Radio Café, Mountain View Estates Fair Trade coffee and information table was provided from 8 am till noon.
11. May 2nd and 3rd, Georgian College conference, The Human Condition Series. President's Choice Fair Trade coffee served and information table provided.
12. May 4th, Huronia Symphony Concert, 7:30 pm at Collier Street United Church. Sponsored by Starbucks Coffee, Fair Trade coffee was served and an information table was provided. See photos.
13. May 4th, North West United Church provides Fair Trade coffee and information table after service.
14. May 5th, St. Joan of Arc Secondary School. The cafeteria and staff room switch to Fair Trade coffee for all functions. Sandra Junkin, teacher, and member of BFTWG is designated with the title Awesome Teacher for her work with Fair Trade at St. Joan of Arc.
15. May 5th, Barrie City Hall. The BFTWG makes a presentation to the mayor and city councilors on the importance of the Fair Trade program, and the numerous Fair Trade Weeks events taking place in the city. See photos.
16. May 5th to 11th, All three Barrie Starbucks locations brew Fair Trade coffee
17. May 5th to 9th, Maplegrove Elementary School. Fair Trade promotions all week.
18. May 10th, Timothy's World Coffee, Georgian Mall. Fair Trade coffee promotion. See photos.
19. May 10th, Barrie Public Library. Free Fair Trade coffee at the Kozlov Café all morning.
20. May 11th, Barrie Central United Church, switches to Fair Trade coffee for all church functions.
21. May 11th, St. Mary's Catholic Church. Fair Trade coffee and information table after Mass.
22. May 22nd, Monsignor Clair Elementary School. Bob Jowett of the BFTWG organizes two Fair Trade workshops for the senior students.
23. June 7th, Celebrate Barrie Annual Event in partnership with Barrie Kiwanis Club. Stephanie Wolfe of the BFTWG assisted the Barrie Kiwanis Club in providing Fair Trade coffee at the annual event in Centennial Park. See photos.
24. June 11th, City Of Barrie. The city council passed a motion to revise their purchasing policy to encourage the use of Fair Trade products wherever possible. It will also encourage local faith groups, schools and other organizations to use Fair Trade products.
25. June 19th, Rowntree Theatre at Georgian College. Green Screen presentation of Leonado di Caprio's environmental documentary, The Eleventh Hour. Fair Trade, Organic, Shade Grown Coffee was served.
26. July 8th. As part of a religious education course, a group of teachers Natalie Smith, Jillian Bertram, Sandra Junkin — chose the subject of fairtrade as their culminating presentation to other teachers. A game of trade was used to illustrate the inequities of the global economy for small farmers and producers in the third world. During the presentation, fairtrade coffee was served. The teacher audience was provided with information about fairtrade, including this website, and teaching resources that were adaptable for a number of age groups.
27. August 2nd to 4th, Fair Trade at Kempenfest, Centennial Park. Fair Trade coffee was served at the MacLaren Oasis, near the Mini Put, from 10 am till noon. The Kempenfest Arts and Crafts festival draws approximately 200,000 visitors to Barrie each summer.
28. August 2nd to 4th, Fair Trade at Kempenfest, Centennial Park. Fair Trade coffee was sold at the Kiwanis Booth throughout Kempenfest. Kicking Horse donated the coffee and Fair Trade brochures were provided. See photos.
29. September 8th, Coffee Mondays. The GEAR (Georgian Students for Environmental Awareness and Research) launched their Fall season of Coffee Mondays. Free Fair Trade coffee is available each Monday morning in the foyer of the Georgian College library. Students are required to bring travel mugs as disposable mugs are not allowed.
30. September 11th, University Partnership Think Series. The Fall season of the Think Series of thought provoking films, art exhibits and book readings is launched at Georgian College. Fair Trade coffee is served at most events.
31. September 19th to 21st, Georgian College Auto Show. The Auto Show this year was a great success with an estimated 20,000 visitors. The 2008 show featured a Green Zone with a tent dedicated to Fair Trade coffee. Van Houtte coffee sponsored the Fair Trade tent with a variety of bold, medium blend and decaffeinated Fair Trade coffees. See photos.
32. October 2nd, Think Series showing of Apocalypse Now was screened in the Centre for Technology Enhanced Learning. Room K227. Fair Trade Coffee was provided.
33. October 26th, Huronia Symphony Concert, 4 pm at the Gryphon Theatre. Sponsored by Hamley's Tea and Coffee Company. Hamley's roasts their own Fair Trade coffee at their shop at 190 Minets Pt. Rd. in Barrie, phone 719-1008. Fair Trade coffee and an information table were provided. See photos.
34. November 3rd, Kiwanis Club of Barrie. Bruce Morton gave a talk on Fair Trade to Kiwanis members at their weekly dinner meeting. See photos.
35. November 4th, Social Justice Fair, St Joseph RC High School. The "Hopeful Hearts", a group of St Joseph's RC High School Grade 9 students sold Fair Trade products at a Social Justice Fair held at the school. Through selling Equita tea, coffee, chocolate and spices the Hopeful Hearts raised $150 in support of the Barrie Women's and Children's Shelter. Bob Jowett of Barrie Fair Trade gave a presentation to teachers attending this event. The presentation looked at injustices within the coffee, banana, and chocolate industries and how Fair Trade helps to address some of these injustices. See photos.
36. November 18th. Fair Trade Day at the Barrie YMCA. As part of International Peace Week the Barrie YMCA set up a Fair Trade Information Table with samples of Fair Trade coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar and spices.
37. November 22nd and 23rd, the Annual Just Gifts Fair was held at St. Mary's R.C. Church. Lots of Fair Trade products sold with the support of the St. Monica's Social Justice Committee. The Barrie Fair Trade Working Group table included support materials for teachers as well as fund raising items such as Equita chocolate bars. See photos.
38. December 3rd, Bob Jowett made a presentation to the YMCA International Group on Fair Trade activities in Canada and in particular in Barrie.
39. December 8th, Bruce Morton gave a presentation to the Barrie Learning Centre, Social Justice Group. The organization, located in the Bayfield Mall had requested that the local B's Café switch to Fair Trade Coffee. B's Café is now one 14 cafés serving Fair Trade coffee in Barrie.
40. December 21st, Huronia Symphony Concert at Collier St. United Church. A very successful concert with a large turn out was sponsored by Hamley's Tea and Coffee. Hamley's is Barrie's very own Fair Trade coffee roaster. See photos.
41. Fair Trade Fair At St. Joan of Arc High School, Dec. 2008
    

    "The student justice committee at St. Joan of Arc High School decided to hold a Fair Trade event in December. The students wanted an event that would focus on social justice issues for the students, especially as we entered a period of time that can be so driven by consumerism.

    "They decided to provide a Fair Trade table in the cafeteria. As it happened, the Business Department was holding a entrepreneur fair at the same time, so we were, in effect, a part of the open market.

    "The group offered our lunch time student consumer, public information on Fair Trade, and coffee- by the cup and by the pound, chocolate, tea, and a collection of items by Fair Trade artisans, such as jewellery, Christmas decorations, home decor.

    "Our goods were interesting and the students had lots of fun and learned about alternative trade along the way. As one student said, 'Ethical goodness in every bite!' "

    ~ Sandra Junkin, teacher at St. Joan of Arc High School

See more events during the 2008 Fair Trade Week or
Visit our gallery for photos of the above events.

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