Fair Trade
Learn about the fair trade items we have for sale, where they come from, and why we're proud to support fair trade!
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The St. Cloud Mission Office is proud to support our global brothers and sisters in the promotion and the selling of their amazing products through the process of Fair Trade. ​Fair Trade means that the farmer, artisan or crafts-person who grew, produced or made the item, is actually the one getting the profit from its sale.
Often times, there is a "middle-man", large factory, plantation owner or a corporation that makes and takes the profits, while those who do the work and initially produced the product are left receiving a pittance for their labors. The Fair Trade Federation works according to a set of principles to create opportunities and develop transparent & accountable relationships with artisans and farmers to ensure that the relationships are open, fair , consistent and respectful.
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The Fair Trade Federation helps to build capacity of farmers, artisans and their communities by investing time and resources to help them build their business, raise awareness about fair trade by education....and help to educate by speaking openly and honestly about cost and pricing so that producers can earn a fair wage and receive prompt payment.
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In addition, the FTF supports safe and empowering working conditions that are free of discrimination and forced labor.
Ensuring the rights of children by NEVER using exploitative child labor, cultivating environmental stewardship by encouraging responsible use of resources and eco-friendly production and respecting the cultural identity, diversity and traditions of the farmers and artisans are the minimum standards for Fair Trade.
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Although the work of the Mission Office is first-and-foremost the promotion and support of mission activity, solidarity and involvement for the St. Cloud Diocese, we also strive to live-out mission in our own daily activities. In order to do so, we believe that we must promote just wages and fair labor practices for our brothers and sisters around the world. Through purchases of coffees, chocolates and crafts like these, we can build up and support our mission connections. Selling Fair Trade items does not generate an income for the Mission Office. Our Catholic Social Teachings call us to use Fair Trade, and we at the Mission Office are proud to use and sell Fair Trade items. Learn more about why the Catholic Church promotes Fair Trade by viewing this document:
Our items are always changing based on the season and availability but you can always count on us to have Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, Jewelry, Quilts, Dishtowels, Art & more~
Where our Fair Trade items come from:
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While we sell a number of different Fair Trade items, two of our most popular are our chocolate bars and coffee !
Currently we purchase our chocolate from a woman owned & operated company called Seattle Chocolate. One of their main focuses is to make sure they are sourcing their chocolate ethically to help ensure fair wages, no child labor, and sustainable farming practices. All of their cocoa comes either from Central/South America and is made into delicious dark, milk, and white chocolate truffle bars.
A popular coffee we carry is our very own “Juan Ana” Coffee from Guatemala through the San Lucas Toliman Mission.
The beans are grown by a local farmer working through this cooperative. We purchase the green (un-roasted) beans which are then shipped to Reality Roasters in Little Falls, who custom roasts our orders within 24hrs. What a great way to support both the global and local business – all in one bag!
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We always try and order from countries where we have our missionaries on the ground and/or where we have mission connections and if we are able to make a journey there and work directly with an artist to purchase their works that is an added bonus. Some of the countries we have connections include Peru, Ecuador, Nepal, Haiti, South Africa, Thailand, Nicaragua, Indonesia, Israel, India, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Kenya, Tanzania, Guatemala, Honduras, Ethiopia, Mexico, Timor, Sumatra, Papua New Guinea, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Dominican Republic, Uganda, Paraguay, Tibet, El Salvador and Bolivia.
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If you’re interested in ordering for yourself, your parish or a group, take a look at a few of these websites below for a list of what they carry & information on how to order or stop in the Mission Office, we would be glad to help.
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Faire's Website
Parishes & Fair Trade
You can buy and sell fair-trade coffees, teas, chocolates and other items at your own parish. Groups can order and sell Fair Trade items themselves through various Fair Trade co-ops and organizations as a fundraiser or awareness-raiser and on special occasion we ( The Mission Office) can provide items from our Mission Office inventory to groups with booths at various events, such as parish festivals or workshops; this is for groups not looking to raise money for themselves, but simply hoping to support and raise awareness of Fair Trade and mission. Many parishes have given a Fair Trade sale a try and enjoyed it so much that it has become a regular occurrence and on-going part of their parish life!
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Contact us here at the St. Cloud Mission Office if you are interested or have questions about selling Fair Trade,
we would be a happy to answer any questions you have!