So much has happened in the last two months since I've posted:
Indigena in Jamaica Plain, MA (42 South St.) has started carrying many of our shirts. Indigena carries locally made, handcrafted, fair trade, and just already funky items that make you think, "there's someone I have to buy that for!" Check out their store, buy a Off Your Back Shirt, and tell we sent you! :)
As I posted previously, we have been at the South End Open Market in Boston, MA on select summer dates. It's a great place to find some of the best artistic or hand crafted items I've seen anywhere. We'll be there again on Aug. 19th.
Two weeks ago, we were a proud sponsor of First Thursdays movie, "Big", in Jamaica Plain. First Thursdays is organized by JP Centre/South Main Streets. Several hundred people came out to see the movie!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Media related to sweatshops and fair trade part 2: Black Gold
As I continue my series on various media related to sweatshops and fair trade I wanted to highlight a movie I've seen several times recently: Black Gold. Off Your Back Shirts and The Well (www.thewelljp.org) a Boston house church has sponsored showings of the movie around the Boston area (The Boston Fair Trade Festival and showings at Harvard Law School and Boston University).
Black Gold is a documentary about Ethiopian coffee and fair trade. It's a fascinating look into the coffee commodities market, the role of the local farmer, and us as consumers of coffee. Well worth seeing! The movie ends with a short implied attack on the WTO (World Trade Organization) and unjust trading policies by western countries. If you've ever wondered where your coffee comes from this movie is for you.
Black Gold is a documentary about Ethiopian coffee and fair trade. It's a fascinating look into the coffee commodities market, the role of the local farmer, and us as consumers of coffee. Well worth seeing! The movie ends with a short implied attack on the WTO (World Trade Organization) and unjust trading policies by western countries. If you've ever wondered where your coffee comes from this movie is for you.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
comics and videos related to fair trade and sweatshops part 1
Cow & Boy
by Mark Leiknes
Over the coming weeks I will be putting links and images to comics and videos related to fair trade and sweatshops. Here's the first...not sure where this came from...it was a forward from a friend.
by Mark Leiknes
Over the coming weeks I will be putting links and images to comics and videos related to fair trade and sweatshops. Here's the first...not sure where this came from...it was a forward from a friend.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Off Your Back Shirts at the South End Open Market
Off Your Back Shirts will be at the South End Open Market on various dates throughout the summer. Come check us out!
We will be there:
June 24th
July 15th
August 19th
September 23rd
The South End Open Market is Sunday's throughout the summer, 10am-4pm at 540 Harrison Ave. in the South End. For more info visit: http://southendopenmarket.com/
We will be there:
June 24th
July 15th
August 19th
September 23rd
The South End Open Market is Sunday's throughout the summer, 10am-4pm at 540 Harrison Ave. in the South End. For more info visit: http://southendopenmarket.com/
Monday, May 14, 2007
A link related to child slavery and chocolate
A friend rightly challenged me to provide some background info when I mention "rumors". I didn't only because I didn't have much time to write that blog post and actually did have some info sheets on the subject. He, however, did provide me with one link related to it: http://www.organicconsumers.org/fair_trade/slavechocolate060414.cfm
Check it out.
Check it out.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Equal Exchange - the best milk chocolate?
While companies like Godiva and Nestle are rumored to get chocolate sourced from areas that employ children sold into slavery, there is another option. Equal Exhange sells fairly traded chocolate, among other things.
This weekend, I tried their milk chocolate bar which has a touch of hazelnuts. I had tried all their other flavors - espresso bean, dark chocolate, dark mint - but never their milk chocolate. Let's just say, soon after I was sick because of the amount I ate. You can go ahead and choose your hershey bar, but now I think I've found my true chocolate love: the Equal Exchange organic milk chocolate bar.
This weekend, I tried their milk chocolate bar which has a touch of hazelnuts. I had tried all their other flavors - espresso bean, dark chocolate, dark mint - but never their milk chocolate. Let's just say, soon after I was sick because of the amount I ate. You can go ahead and choose your hershey bar, but now I think I've found my true chocolate love: the Equal Exchange organic milk chocolate bar.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Looking behind the fair trade label
Check out this radio broadcast on looking behind the Fair Trade label and the recent Ethopian coffee property rights issue.
Monday, May 07, 2007
An open letter to the Boston City Council: Make Boston a fair trade city!
I've had the honor of meeting several of the current city councilors and have been impressed. From Councilor Arroyo's commitment to the poor and social change -which I have seen evident both one on one and in meetings- to Councilor Ross -who I've played basketball with and saw him connect with local teenagers- (he's not that bad by the way), our current city council is both diverse, committed, and active.
It's to this impressive group that I write this open letter. Make Boston a fair trade city. Throughout Europe and much of England there has been an increasing commitment to fair trade. Entire communities are dedicating themselves as fair trade cities and townships. In honor of World Fair Trade Day on May 12th, let's make Boston one of the first in the United States.
As a part of World Fair Trade Day on May 12th, local and national fair trade businesses and organizations are coming together for the Boston Fair Trade Festival (www.bostonfairtradeday.org). City Councilor Felix Arroyo has already shown his support by not only planning on attending but by speaking at the event.
Fair trade, in the simplest of terms, is fair wages for work done, especially related to global trade. Fair trade is most known in the realm of coffee production, where certification exists to show the consumer that certain standards were in place for the production and sale of the coffee. Increasingly, major coffee sellers are releasing a fair trade blend, meaning one or more of the blends of coffee have been certified to meet fair trade standards. Starbucks, Green Mountain Coffee, McDonalds (select locations) and Dunkin Donuts all have some fair trade offerings. Many other smaller - fair trade specific coffee companies also exist (many in the Boston/Massachusetts area). Equal Exchange is a worker owned company that has been in the fair trade coffee business for decades. Dean’s Beans, another Massachusetts based company, also specializes in fair trade coffee.
Fair trade coffee is also the coffee of choice of an increasing number of cafes in Boston. From my local favorite,City Feed and Supply on Boylston St. in Jamaica Plain, to Sweet Christophers or Canto 6 - fair trade coffee is becoming increasingly popular at local establishments.
I believe Boston can help lead the way in our nation as a city that recognizes human rights as an essential basis for all our actions - from housing to education to ethical purchasing. Choosing fair trade is saying that human rights extends beyond the geography of our city to those we rely on for our essential goods and services. We have livable wages for city employees. Now, let's demand more livable wages for those who provide us with the items we have become so used to.
As a first step, I call on the Boston City Council to require all city agencies to make all future purchases of coffee be from fair trade certified options. The costs of fair trade coffee is not that much more expensive than other coffee options but often it means the difference between sending a child to elementary school or not for many small scale coffee farmers. Boston can extend our own standards of human rights and livable wages beyond our borders to those who are often invisible or even ignored.
There are other steps that can be taken in helping Boston truly become a fair trade city. But, this can and will be an important first step in moving our city in that direction. Further options can include also mandating that when fair trade options are available city departments can and should choose fair trade.
Together, let's make Boston a fair trade city!
It's to this impressive group that I write this open letter. Make Boston a fair trade city. Throughout Europe and much of England there has been an increasing commitment to fair trade. Entire communities are dedicating themselves as fair trade cities and townships. In honor of World Fair Trade Day on May 12th, let's make Boston one of the first in the United States.
As a part of World Fair Trade Day on May 12th, local and national fair trade businesses and organizations are coming together for the Boston Fair Trade Festival (www.bostonfairtradeday.org). City Councilor Felix Arroyo has already shown his support by not only planning on attending but by speaking at the event.
Fair trade, in the simplest of terms, is fair wages for work done, especially related to global trade. Fair trade is most known in the realm of coffee production, where certification exists to show the consumer that certain standards were in place for the production and sale of the coffee. Increasingly, major coffee sellers are releasing a fair trade blend, meaning one or more of the blends of coffee have been certified to meet fair trade standards. Starbucks, Green Mountain Coffee, McDonalds (select locations) and Dunkin Donuts all have some fair trade offerings. Many other smaller - fair trade specific coffee companies also exist (many in the Boston/Massachusetts area). Equal Exchange is a worker owned company that has been in the fair trade coffee business for decades. Dean’s Beans, another Massachusetts based company, also specializes in fair trade coffee.
Fair trade coffee is also the coffee of choice of an increasing number of cafes in Boston. From my local favorite,City Feed and Supply on Boylston St. in Jamaica Plain, to Sweet Christophers or Canto 6 - fair trade coffee is becoming increasingly popular at local establishments.
I believe Boston can help lead the way in our nation as a city that recognizes human rights as an essential basis for all our actions - from housing to education to ethical purchasing. Choosing fair trade is saying that human rights extends beyond the geography of our city to those we rely on for our essential goods and services. We have livable wages for city employees. Now, let's demand more livable wages for those who provide us with the items we have become so used to.
As a first step, I call on the Boston City Council to require all city agencies to make all future purchases of coffee be from fair trade certified options. The costs of fair trade coffee is not that much more expensive than other coffee options but often it means the difference between sending a child to elementary school or not for many small scale coffee farmers. Boston can extend our own standards of human rights and livable wages beyond our borders to those who are often invisible or even ignored.
There are other steps that can be taken in helping Boston truly become a fair trade city. But, this can and will be an important first step in moving our city in that direction. Further options can include also mandating that when fair trade options are available city departments can and should choose fair trade.
Together, let's make Boston a fair trade city!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
the best boston sandwich
so this is only lightly related to fair trade. But, I have to tell you about what I believe is one of the best sandwiches anywhere to be found. It's the #1 at City Feed and Supply on Boylston St. in Jamaica Plain, MA. It's a brioche roll, green leaf lettuce, smoked (nitrate free) turkey, vermont smoked cheddar, marinated red onions, pesto, mayo, and a special red pepper relish (non-spicy). I used to work at City Feed and tried to get them to name it after me (The Paul)...it didn't take.
Why don't you go there and order "the paul" and see what happens?
:)
oh, and it's loosely fair trade because they sell fair trade bananas and coffee and this is where I had the first significant exposure to fair trade!
Why don't you go there and order "the paul" and see what happens?
:)
oh, and it's loosely fair trade because they sell fair trade bananas and coffee and this is where I had the first significant exposure to fair trade!
Boston goes fair trade
May 12th is World Fair Trade Day, a day set aside each year around the globe to raise awareness of fair trade. Fair trade, in the simplest of terms, is fair wages for work done, especially related to global trade.
This year, Boston is joining the chorus of voices around the world for fair trade at the Boston Fair Trade Festival on Saturday, May 12th at 440 Centre St., Jamaica Plain. The event, sponsored by offyourbackshirts.com and coolpeoplecare.org will include a fair trade market (buy your last minute mother’s day gifts here!), speakers, advocacy groups (like Oxfam and the ONE Campaign), and free fair trade coffee, bananas, chocolate, and tea. The day will end with a community potluck and a showing of the movie, “Black Gold” a documentary about fair trade coffee (which by the way, you can’t rent so see it why you can). You can get more information at http://bostonfairtradeday.org.
Fair trade is most known in the realm of coffee production, where certification exists to show the consumer that certain standards were in place for the production and sale of the coffee. Increasingly, major coffee sellers are releasing a fair trade blend, meaning one or more of the blends of coffee have been certified to meet fair trade standards. Starbucks has a fair trade blend. Green Mountain Coffee does as well. Even Dunkin Donuts sells fair trade espresso beverages and selected McDonalds in the Northeast only sell fair trade coffee.
Many other smaller - fair trade specific coffee companies also exist (many in the Boston/Massachusetts area). Equal Exchange is a worker owned company that has been in the fair trade coffee business for decades. Dean’s Beans, another Massachusetts based company, also specializes in fair trade coffee. Fair trade coffee is also the coffee of choice of an increasing number of cafes. My local favorite is City Feed and Supply on Boylston St. in Jamaica Plain. City Feed sells only Equal Exchange coffee, by the cup or in bulk (they also make amazing sandwiches - try the #1).
Several new fair trade businesses have also popped up in the area.
* The web-based business, Off Your Back Shirts started last year in Jamaica Plain. They offer t-shirts and other products that are made under just and socially conscious standards - from recycled clothing, to organic cotton t-shirts and winter hats, to fair trade t-shirts. Off Your Back Shirts is the primary sponsor of the Boston Fair Trade Festival.
* Crossroads Trade opened up a year or so ago on Harvard St. in Coolidge Corner, Brookline. Crossroads has a wide variety of crafts and gifts.
* Oke USA, one of the few fair trade banana companies in the United States, opened up shop in Watertown. They promote fair trade bananas to be sold in grocery stores and other places.
There are many more in the area but for the sake of time and space I will stop here.
Boston, you have fair trade options. Buy fair trade. The world will be better for it.
This year, Boston is joining the chorus of voices around the world for fair trade at the Boston Fair Trade Festival on Saturday, May 12th at 440 Centre St., Jamaica Plain. The event, sponsored by offyourbackshirts.com and coolpeoplecare.org will include a fair trade market (buy your last minute mother’s day gifts here!), speakers, advocacy groups (like Oxfam and the ONE Campaign), and free fair trade coffee, bananas, chocolate, and tea. The day will end with a community potluck and a showing of the movie, “Black Gold” a documentary about fair trade coffee (which by the way, you can’t rent so see it why you can). You can get more information at http://bostonfairtradeday.org.
Fair trade is most known in the realm of coffee production, where certification exists to show the consumer that certain standards were in place for the production and sale of the coffee. Increasingly, major coffee sellers are releasing a fair trade blend, meaning one or more of the blends of coffee have been certified to meet fair trade standards. Starbucks has a fair trade blend. Green Mountain Coffee does as well. Even Dunkin Donuts sells fair trade espresso beverages and selected McDonalds in the Northeast only sell fair trade coffee.
Many other smaller - fair trade specific coffee companies also exist (many in the Boston/Massachusetts area). Equal Exchange is a worker owned company that has been in the fair trade coffee business for decades. Dean’s Beans, another Massachusetts based company, also specializes in fair trade coffee. Fair trade coffee is also the coffee of choice of an increasing number of cafes. My local favorite is City Feed and Supply on Boylston St. in Jamaica Plain. City Feed sells only Equal Exchange coffee, by the cup or in bulk (they also make amazing sandwiches - try the #1).
Several new fair trade businesses have also popped up in the area.
* The web-based business, Off Your Back Shirts started last year in Jamaica Plain. They offer t-shirts and other products that are made under just and socially conscious standards - from recycled clothing, to organic cotton t-shirts and winter hats, to fair trade t-shirts. Off Your Back Shirts is the primary sponsor of the Boston Fair Trade Festival.
* Crossroads Trade opened up a year or so ago on Harvard St. in Coolidge Corner, Brookline. Crossroads has a wide variety of crafts and gifts.
* Oke USA, one of the few fair trade banana companies in the United States, opened up shop in Watertown. They promote fair trade bananas to be sold in grocery stores and other places.
There are many more in the area but for the sake of time and space I will stop here.
Boston, you have fair trade options. Buy fair trade. The world will be better for it.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Off Your Back makes top 12 list on a t-shirt blog for places to submit t-shirt ideas
Off Your Back Shirt was recently featured as one of the top 12 places to submit t-shirt designs on OMG Tees. Check out the blog entry and the nice remarks about Off Your Back Shirts, here.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Check it out: some great events this week
If you're in the Boston area you may want to check out one or both of these events Off Your Back Shirts will be at:
1. April 25th -Join One at BU for a showing of the movie ‘Black Gold’ about fair trade coffee at Boston University at 6pm with special guests to facilitate discussion afterwards. The event will be held at the GSU Conference Auditorium, 775 Commonwealth Ave, Room 228, Boston, MA 02215. Off Your Back Shirts is helping sponsor this event.
2. April 26th 10-3:00pm - MIT's Earth Day Celebration The MIT Earth Day Fair this year celebrates Local Connections, featuring over 40 fun displays by both MIT initiatives and local community projects along with many other activities. Several campus groups have collaborated to make this the largest and most memorable MIT Earth Day yet. All-day events include:
* The MIT Mini-Landfill and recycling displays
* Giveaways of mugs and green plants
* Recycling drives for
o Old tech waste e.g. old media, handhelds, peripherals, toner and ink jet cartridges - *no monitors, please*
o Bring used books and clothing for reuse or recycling
* Vehicle displays from Zipcar and PlanetTran
* Free and green food
* Over 40 exhibitors on current, local environmental initiatives (including Off Your Back Shirts)
1. April 25th -Join One at BU for a showing of the movie ‘Black Gold’ about fair trade coffee at Boston University at 6pm with special guests to facilitate discussion afterwards. The event will be held at the GSU Conference Auditorium, 775 Commonwealth Ave, Room 228, Boston, MA 02215. Off Your Back Shirts is helping sponsor this event.
2. April 26th 10-3:00pm - MIT's Earth Day Celebration The MIT Earth Day Fair this year celebrates Local Connections, featuring over 40 fun displays by both MIT initiatives and local community projects along with many other activities. Several campus groups have collaborated to make this the largest and most memorable MIT Earth Day yet. All-day events include:
* The MIT Mini-Landfill and recycling displays
* Giveaways of mugs and green plants
* Recycling drives for
o Old tech waste e.g. old media, handhelds, peripherals, toner and ink jet cartridges - *no monitors, please*
o Bring used books and clothing for reuse or recycling
* Vehicle displays from Zipcar and PlanetTran
* Free and green food
* Over 40 exhibitors on current, local environmental initiatives (including Off Your Back Shirts)
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