Coco Eco Magazine

Fair Trade the White House receives its first publicity from media partner, Coco Eco Magazine (click to page 88!). Take a look and don't forget to enter in their $600 fair trade giveaway!

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA INVITED TO JOIN THE “FAIR PARTY”

“Fair Trade the White House,” a grass-roots, nonpartisan coalition of fair trade organizations, vendors, retailers, schools, and individuals, are cordially inviting the First Lady to join the fair trade movement and declare the White House a “Fair Trade Home.” By declaring the White House a “Fair Trade Home,” Mrs. Obama can encourage households throughout America to continue refining their buying habits toward ethical consumption so that poverty, both in America and around the world, is reduced.

The public invitation to the First Lady will be unsealed May 29th, 2009 and be available to sign online at www.fairtradewhitehouse.com. Throughout the summer, online signatures from fair trade supporters will be gathered to show the First Lady the momentum of the fair trade movement that has grown to over $2.7 billion in 2007 global revenue, and accounts for over 1.5 million workers around the world (FLO, 2008). 

Through fair trade, people producing a product are treated fairly, paid fairly, and are being fair to the environment. Tamara Johnston-McMahon, co-founder of Anti-Body, the company that initiated the campaign, notes, “Not only does fair trade support the global community of people who make the items we consume, but it undergirds the rights of women and children, cultural heritage and the environment. One simple purchase of fair trade food, body-care or clothing represents an excellent investment in a sustainable world.”

If the First Lady accepts the “Fair Trade the White House” invitation by the fall, the goal is to conduct a ceremony in October 2009, “Fair Trade Awareness Month.”

For a complete and current list of supporting parties, visit:

www.fairtradewhitehouse.com