NEWS FROM
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
November 17, 2005
For more information contact Emily Sollie at esollie@lwr.org or 410-230-2802.
In this news release:
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Lutheran World Relief Advocates for Fair Trade in Supermarkets on National Day of Action
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LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF ADVOCATES FOR FAIR TRADE IN SUPERMARKETS ON NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION
Baltimore, November 17, 2005 — This Saturday, November 19, Lutheran World Relief joins our Fair Trade allies, Oxfam America and Co-op America, in support of Fair Trade on National Supermarket Day of Action by asking supermarkets to stock their shelves with Fair Trade products.
Saturday will be the busiest day of the year for supermarkets as shoppers purchase millions of dollars worth of food in preparation for Thanksgiving celebration feasts. It provides an excellent opportunity for concerned consumers to ask their local grocery stores to stock Fair Trade products.
Each and every day, Fair Trade improves the lives of farmers, artisans, and their families by increasing incomes, improving working conditions and promoting democratic principles. Buyers of Fair Trade products also benefit from high quality goods and the knowledge that they are shopping responsibly.
The U.S. market for Fair Trade products grew by 92% in 2003 and more than 80% in 2004, and products are now available in more than 30,000 retailers from 400 companies. Fair Trade Certified™ products available in the U.S. include coffee, chocolate, tea, cocoa, fresh fruit and rice.
Consumer demand for socially responsible goods, including Fair Trade products, is rising. An all-time high of 91% of Americans say they are likely to switch brands to help support a cause, when price and quality are equal. People in the United States continue to make a difference by seeking out and purchasing Fair Trade products.
This year on National Supermarket Day of Action, Lutheran World Relief encourages Fair Trade advocates to:
- fill out customer comment cards asking local grocers to stock Fair Trade products
- write letters or speak with store managers requesting Fair Trade products
- purchase Fair Trade products already available in your local supermarkets
- encourage others to join you in advocating for Fair Trade in your local stores
- continue to support Fair Trade through the LWR Coffee, Chocolate and Handcraft Projects with your ongoing purchases throughout the year
For more information on LWR’s Fair Trade projects and a sample letter to grocery stores requesting Fair Trade products, visit www.lwr.org/fairtrade
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.
