Fair Trade Awards

On Saturday July 11th, 2009, Media Pa celebrated its 3rd annversary of becoming the First Fair Trade Town in the USA. This coincided with the regular 2nd Saturday Arts event and our annual Bastille Day celebration. Part of State Street was closed to traffic, there was music and dining in the streets, and a reenactment of the storming of the Bastille by Hedgerow Theater. There were also carriage rides, a visit from Ben Franklin, craftmaking for kids, community information tables and vendors. It was a beautiful night and the streets were packed!

Our Fair Trade Committee gave out its annual awards to those doing exemplary work to make trade fair and end economic injustice, inhumane work conditions and the devastation of our planet Earth. Here are the 2009 Fair Trade Champions!!!!

HISTORICAL AWARD 2009

Benjamin Franklin for his shift from slave holder to president of an abolitionist organization.

LOCAL AWARD 2009

Carol Sciarra and Selene Whole Foods Co-op for a fervent committment to buying fair and local and supporting others doing the same.

INTERNATIONAL AWARD 2009

Marcio Paoliello and Alfenas, Brazil for his achievement in making Alfenas the First Fair Trade Town that also exports Fair Trade Certified products.

NATIONAL AWARD 2009

United States Representative Eliot Engel and United States Senator Tom Harkin for their protocal, an international agreement aimed at ending child labor in the production of cocoa.

REGIONAL AWARD 2009

Villanova University for its committment to buying fair and local in its food services, and for being outspoken on the issue.

FAIR WITH FLAIR SUPERSTAR AWARD 2009

Drew and Heather Arata/Earth and State for supporting local and fair trade artisans through their store and helping their patrons to connect with the artists and the concept.