Mar 20, 2011

Boulder Advocates Work Toward Claim To Fair Trade FameBy Courtney HoldenDailyCamera.com

Having visited a Costa Rican coffee farm this past January, Boulder resident Cristina Aguilera will think twice the next time she takes a sip of that warm, brown nectar of the gods.

“(The trip) really gave me an appreciation for when I drink coffee, the amount of hard labor and sweat,” she said.

Aguilera, who was born in Cuba but has lived in Boulder for the past 29 years, is channeling that cognizance into action as she volunteers with other locals to officially name Boulder a “Fair Trade Town.”

That designation comes through a five-step process that includes organizing a steering committee, making sure a certain percentage of the town’s stores carry at least two Fair Trade products, receiving media

Bead for Life store manager Ashley Rein displays beads at the nonprofit s store in Boulder last week. Bead for Life sells beads made by women in Uganda. ( Phil McMichael ) coverage, gaining the support of community organizations like churches and schools — and ultimately, convincing the City Council to pass the resolution. So far, the Boulder group has accomplished step one. Now that committee is working to make sure that at least 20 local retailers vend two or more Fair Trade products and that organizations serve Fair Trade coffee and sugar after worship services and in school cafeterias. Aguilera is posting updates on the Boulder Fair Trade Town blog and reaching out to local radio stations and newspapers.

Howard Vickers, who’s the local Fair Trade coordinator, believes that Boulder’s designation as a Fair Trade Town is a natural progression.

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