Wednesday morning’s rainy weather didn’t stop over 20 vendors and a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream truck from sharing their fair trade goals and selling their products under the LaCava tent. On Oct. 8th, Bentley University’s Office of Sustainability and BSLCE held their 11th annual Fair Trade Fair. From small businesses to larger companies, from chocolate and coffee to clothes and greeting cards, there was something for everyone at the fair.
A member of the BSLCE explained “[the] Fair Trade Fair is a collection of different companies that have really ethical business practices and source all of their products and labor from really strong ethical practices.” Core Fair Trade principles include insuring fair payment to producers, prohibiting child labor, and promoting environmental sustainability. The fair sheds light the companies that treat all of their employees well throughout the entire production process, not just the corporate side.
Many of the companies at the fair were proud and eager to talk about their company’s goals, mission, and what they have accomplished. One local brand at the fair was Quilling Cards, a greeting card business based in Holliston, Mass. Their products are very unique as, unlike other greeting cards, they are made through the ancient art of quilling. A representative explained, “every little coil is hand placed, hand quilled, and made by hand.” As well as greeting cards, they also sell other quilled art, with the process of production ranging from an hour to up to 52 hours depending on the product. Employees are trained for six months before they work on the cards, and they receive many benefits such as education, training, and career advancement.
Another business that stood out was organic coffee company Dean’s Beans. Started in 1993 by Dean Cycon, the company works with small farming cooperatives and is based in Orange, Mass. Cycon saw coffee bean farmers being taken advantage of, and wanted to make a for-profit company that took care of them. A representative stated, “each purchase that we make puts money towards [the farmers’] communities, and a lot of that money goes towards development projects such as clean water wells, literacy programs or small loan programs.” He also added that they know their farmers personally and sign written agreements for the farmers to use as collateral for their banking.
There were so many other brands and businesses with wonderful stories including Equal Exchange, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Once Again Nut Butters, Curio Spices, Sun Coffee Masters, A Thread of Hope, and more. Many of the companies are local to Massachusetts and New England, but some were from as far as Guatemala and are known nationwide. Even students who were unable to attend the fair could still check out and support these businesses online, in person shops, or at larger retailers.
