La Mesa, CA, a Fair Trade Town

 

  BizCenterArt Event

Fair Trade handcrafts were featured at the BizCenterArt Event in La Mesa. Around the World Fair Trade Gifts owner, Evangely talked about FT to art patrons and offered FT chocolate as they toured the offices displaying art for sale under $100.

 

 

 

 

La Mesa Farmers Market:

Check out Around the World Gifts at the La Mesa Farmers Market each week.  La Mesa Fair Trade Steering Committee will be on hand to talk about fair trade in La Mesa.  Pictured is Anne Pacheco, Dennis Andolsek, and Nancy Ryan with Evangley, second from the right.

 









The La Mesa Rotary welcomed speakers, Nancy Ryan and Anne Pacheco on May 30th.

On May 17, 2012, Dawn Stary-Sweeney, president of Fair Trade San Diego, presented the video, "Binding Together a Thousand Fibers through Fair Trade at Cosmos Coffee Cafe.  It was an opportunity to become aware of the wide variety of fair trade certified handcrafts and gift items available. 

Ben & Jerry's Fair Trade ice-cream was free for all who attended.  The featured ice-cream was the Jimmy Fallon, "Late Night Special"!

A meet and greet was held after the presentation.

Evangley, owner of Around the World Gifts in Old Town featured many fair trade gifts.  Her store is located at 2611 Congress Street San Diego.  http://www.aroundtheworldgifts.biz

"It’s All About Chocolate!" event was held on April 19, 2012 at Cosmos Coffee Cafe.  Everyone enjoyed sampling Fair Trade chocolate and sipping on Fair Trade Mexican hot cocoa after learning about what the Fair Trade labels stand for.  Samples included Green & Blacks Organic, Angell Organic Candy Bar, Theo, Larabar, Equal Exchange, Alter Eco, Divine and a KitKat bars from the UK!  (complements of "All Things Bright and British")

Fair Trade chocolate can be found at Sprouts, Albertsons, Target, Wild Oats, Walgreens, Windmill Farms, Keils, Whole Foods, Cost Plus World Market and Vons.  Fair Trade KitKats will only be found at All Things Bright and British in La Mesa.

                                 __________________________________________

Earth Faire on Mt Helix was well attended this year!   La Mesa Fair Trade motto is: "Buy Local, Buy Fair".  Those who came to our booth learned about Fair Trade and which local La Mesa merchants carry or serve Fair Trade products. 

Please support La Mesa merchants by purchasing Fair Trade certified products. These products are not made or grown in the United States. Your purchase choices make a difference that extends beyond our local community.  Choosing a Fair Trade coffee brand at your work, makes a difference!  Shop at Costco for  Starbucks or Kirkland's Fair Trade coffee, Target for Archer Farms,  Albertsons, Vons, Sprouts, Trader Joes and more.  All these stores carry Fair Trade coffee & more  (Green Mountain, Paul Newman' Own, etc.) Even better - buy from you local cafes that only use Fair Trade coffee:  Cosmos Coffee Cafe, @Spacebar Internet Cafe, Marcella June's Coffee Lounge, Ricos Cafe, Vic's Deli and Cafe.  Check out La Mesa Bistro and Bakery & Swami' Cafe  Fair Trade expresso.    Most use local San Diego roasters!   Make a better choice....La Mesa!

On February 16, 2012 about 50 people enjoyed free scoops of Fair Trade Ice Cream at Cosmos Coffee Cafe.  Ephraim Mallari, who owns the Ben & Jerry's outlet at Seaport Village, explained why his company supports Fair Trade and why they use Fair Trade ingredients:  vanilla, chocolate, coffee, almonds, and more. Ben and Jerry's will be 100% Fair Trade with all their products by 2013.

A Fair Trade trip to Costa Rica, offered by Rainbow Travel & Cruise, is in the works for 2013!  More information will be posted soon.

In January, La Mesa residents and merchants gathered to learn about Fair Trade, what products are available and to view, "The Story of Fair Trade".  Everyone enjoyed free samples of several different brands of Fair Trade chocolate.