You are on page 1of 2

Jack Braun (jbraun@hffdl.org) and Anne Lemke (anne@lemkeconsulting.

net) January 2, 2014

Just Fare Market: Holy Familys partner in Fair Trade


For the past several years, Holy Family has promoted fair trade. It is through our partnership with the Just Fare Market that we are able to effectively achieve one of our Social Ministry goals which is to support Fair Trade by helping farmers and workers in developing countries. Through education and fair trade sales, Holy Family parishioners have learned how purchases through their everyday shopping helps to reduce poverty and assures that third world farmers are paid a fair and stable price, increasing the quality of living around the world. With the help of the Just Fare Market, here are just a few of the ways we do that. Once a month, we set up our special Fair Trade Cart that was designed and built by one of our parishioners. Picture attached to email. At our parish festivals, we display the mission of our Social Ministry efforts thought a variety of ministry booths. Most visible is our Fair trade sales! Several tables of fair trade products invite people to just stop by and learn about Fair Trade and to purchase a variety of food products. Through our annual Alternative Giving and Fair Trade event, people are encouraged to bring their Christmas list and make purchases that not only support but also empower farmers and crafters in developing countries. Each year, the Holy Family Outreach Committee awards a grant to Just Fare to use for educational purposes. Our parishioners are active on the Just Fare board and volunteer at the store. And through our parish bulletin and Social Ministry newsletter, The Salt Shaker, we provide articles of education and community events. Just Fare Market is a faith based nonprofit organization improving lives through global partnerships and Fair Trade. We strive to: Educate our community about the social and environmental consequences of a globalized economy and the benefits of Fair Trade. Encourage people to become more mindful of how, where and by whom the products they are buying and consuming are produced. Provide an outlet to market Fair Trade handicrafts, clothing, and food products created by artisans and farmers in developing countries. In April, 2013 Just Fare Market began our 7th year of operation as a faith based nonprofit organization improving lives through global partnerships and Fair Trade.
Just Fare Market is an ecumenical effort strongly supported by First Presbyterian and Holy Family Parish of Fond du Lac. During our first 6 years Just Fare has enjoyed steady growth in customers and sales, as well as in the number of people volunteering. Currently Just Fare is run by a 7 member board of directors and over 60 volunteers from many different faith traditions. The Just Fare Education Committee works with area churches and other area volunteer groups to organize several annual external markets at various events, such as parish alternative gift fairs, Marian University Social Justice events, UW-Fond du Lac Prairie Fest, and Fond du Lac Area United for Diversity Celebrate Community event. The Education Committee also works with students from the Multicultural Clubs at UW-Fond du Lac and Moraine Park Technical College to present forums regarding the ongoing exploitation of labor rights, child labor, forced labor and trafficking. The Education Committee partners with Marian University Social Justice Committee to organize special events such as Earth Day to include Fair Trade. The Education Committee speaks

at local service organization meetings such as Altrusa, Lady Elks and Kiwanis. The Education Committee sets up displays at local multicultural events, such as a fair at the Boys & Girls Club. Sociology and Ethics classes at Marian University, MPTC and UW-Fond du Lac include visits to and presentations from Just Fare in their course of study. Just Fare, along with Holy Family Catholic Community, Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, and many other local churches and retailers are also active participants in the Fond du Lac Fair Trade nd Towns efforts. Fond du Lac was recently named the 32 Fair Trade Town in the U.S.: http://fonddulacfairtradetown.wordpress.com/

It may seem as if what Just Fare is able to do is small, but for every purchase made, the chain of farmers and artisans in developing countries are better able to provide for their families and educate their children. The chain of hope goes on for generations as the children gain the tools and life skills to make their hopes and dreams a reality. www.justfare.org

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Just-Fare-Market/106480162736708

You might also like