A Fair Trade Towns & Universities Conference took place Oct. 26-28, 2012 in Chicago. At the conference Anne Pacheco & Nancy Ryan, Co-Chairs of the La Mesa Fair Trade Steering Committee, were given the long awaited certificate declaring La Mesa a Fair Trade Town!   Plans are in process for a formal presentation & celebration involving La Mesa residents and city officials. There will be media coverage of the event.  Watch for the date coming soon.  All are invited!



"Building Partnerships for a Stronger Movement" was the theme.  Here are a few pictures from the Marketplace!

 San Diego Living, Channel 6 featured Fair Trade Month on its segment, "Eco Revolution" featuring Tiger Palafox on October 23, 2012.  He showed various fair trade products from local San Diego and La Mesa vendors.  The link will be included soon for viewing.   Our choices matter.  Consumers can choose high quality and affordable fairly traded products locally! Thank you to Fair Trade business owners: Around the World Gifts, 7 Hopes United, Fair Trade Decor and Open Door Books.

La Mesa Fair Trade Town campaign has received a commendation from Mayor Art Madrid endorsing the progress made in La Mesa and recommending to Fair Trade Towns USA that the city be declared a  FAIR TRADE TOWN.  Throughout the campaign it was gratifying to have the mayor's support, along with that of La Mesa merchants, service organizations, and faith-based communities. With the official commendation, the minimum requirements to have La Mesa officially proclaimed a FT Town by Fair Trade Towns USA are completed.  We are excited for what this means for our city as well as the good that is accomplished in relation to the use of FT products.  The work of promoting Fair Trade will continue.