A few weeks ago, Net Impact partnered up with Building New Hope for a fair trade week fundraiser. Led by Steve Sumpter, Net Impact members sold Building New Hope’s coffee, also available at Whole Foods, in the Duquesne Union as part of the fair trade vendor market.
Fair trade is a social movement that helps producers in developing countries to create better trading conditions and promote sustainability. Fair trade advocates for higher social and environmental standards.
Building New Hope, located in Pittsburgh, Pa., has created a coffee project that goes beyond fair trade and takes part in direct trade. The organization works with communities in Nicaragua and El Salvador to foster economic development, education opportunities, and other community development. Coffee is sold to raise money for continued operations and has cultivated a relationship with the employee owned farm “El Porvenir” in Nicaragua. The farm supports 48 families, receives a price above the fair trade price, and allows reinvestment in the community.
Our Net Impact members were happy to sell this coffee during fair trade week, and educate students, faculty, and other shoppers on the mission of Building New Hope.
For more on Building New Hope, visit their website: http://www.buildingnewhope.org/
