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FairTSA is building a stronger online presence with social media tools such as Twitter, Facebook, regular newsletters, and a new and improved website. Our website now hosts a marketplace showcasing FairTSA certified goods, downloadable brochures in Spanish, English and German, a newsletter archive, videos and a wealth of additional information about FairTSA.
Stay connected with us online
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We welcome Chopsticks Company, Ltd., based in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Besides being dedicated to running Chopsticks and the distribution of quality food to many retailers throughout Hong Kong, their passion is educating the public about the benefits of organic food and the importance of food safety.
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Quick Links to Cooperating Certifiers
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Fair Trade Sustainability Alliance
collaborative excellence and accountability
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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
After two successful trade shows and the related extensive follow-ups I'm on to the Philippines and Europe. Now that spring is finally here I am somewhat hesitant to leave again. On the other hand there are new adventures ahead and new and old friends to meet. My colleague Jenny introduced me to Twitter last week and it's our intention to keep you better up to date on social media starting with the trip to the Philippines. You can now follow us on Twitter!
Winfried Fuchshofen, Executive Director, FairTSA
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 BIOFACH 2015
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In February, FairTSA participated in
BIOFACH 2015, the world's leading trade fair for organic food, based in Nuremberg, Germany.
More than 25 meetings resulted in a sizable number of new producer projects in Sri Lanka, India, Turkey, the Dominican Republic, Guinea Bissau, Poland, Spain, and possibly in Iran and Inner Mongolia. One of the potential projects is the production of desert salt in India, which has resulted in an addition to the existing FairTSA standard with special benefits and protections for the workers in this challenging environment. We also started discussions about cooperation with companies such as EgeSun, Mestemacher, and Berief Feinkost while deepening our involvement with existing European licensees. We were also able to further develop our relationship with the Alnatura Sustainable Development Department.
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From left to right: Dr. Winfried Fuchshofen, Francisco Jose Sanchez Fornieles, Klaus Merckens and Stephan Andrae.
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By the same token FairTSA used the trade show for face-to-face conversation with many of our cooperating certifiers, joint meetings with potential clients, and discussed areas of improvement for the FairTSA Fair Trade program on all levels: from joint marketing and PR, coordinating training efforts and scheduling inspections for new clients.
BIOFACH 2015 was an extremely successful trade show for FairTSA, proving that the program is maturing and acceptance ever-increasing.
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FairTSA Held First Stakeholder Meeting at BIOFACH
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The first FairTSA
stakeholder meeting took place in the context of BIOFACH 2015, the world's leading trade fair for organic food, based in Nuremberg, Germany.
On February 12, 2015, a small group of FairTSA's licensees, certifiers and producers, collaborated, shared ideas, and listened to Executive Director Winfried Fuchshofen, who gave an overview about new developments in the FairTSA program, especially with regard to the increased market presence, acceptance of the program by Alnatura, a leading German organic retailer, for their social responsibility requirements, and the growing network of participating certifiers. This led to an enjoyable and enlivening discussion of ways to network and grow together.
FairTSA is building a stronger online presence with social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook, regular newsletters, and a new and improved website, which will host a marketplace for FairTSA certified goods, down-loadable brochures in Spanish, English and German, along with a wealth of information about FairTSA. Our stakeholders were pleased with these developments and expressed a desire to be listed on the FairTSA website to expand the growth possibilities even more. The meeting was well received by the stakeholders as well as the organizers. In the end we had a wonderful toast to our mutual successes!
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Natural Expo West
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Shortly after the BIOFACH trade fair, FairTSA attended Natural Expo West, in Anaheim, California. Seeing palm trees swaying in the sun proved to be a very welcome respite from a cold and snowy winter in New York. Clearing the way for new agreements with SoloCoco of Florida and CAC trading of Nicaragua was one of the positive outcomes of the trade show. We also facilitated existing licensees to network with new producers, such as Lucy Bee and Clarke's Organics. Connecting dedicated companies with missions that are closely aligned and supporting them with new opportunities, is one of the most rewarding experiences one can have in the realm of Fair Trade.
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There was a strong interest from existing partners to conduct an additional FairTSA stakeholder meeting at Natural Expo West (possibly alternating with Natural Expo East). We are currently evaluating this opportunity and will keep you informed when we have made the final decision. |
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Training for Inspectors and Reviewers
All our trainings for inspectors, auditors and certification reviewers are now announced on our website! Trainings are offered in English and Spanish at least 4 times per year. Participants need to sign up and pay the associated training fee at least seven days before the actual training date. Please email Eileen Quinn with questions or to register for a training.
All inspection and certification documents can now be found on our website under certifier forms. You can email Eileen for the necessary password. In order to strengthen the communication with our participating certifiers and their offices, we will start sending out newsletters specifically to inspectors, auditors and certifier personnel effective immediately. These newsletters will discuss topics that are of special interest to our participating certifiers.
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Information Sessions for Producers and Licensees
FairTSA will be offering live information sessions for producers and licensees in both English and Spanish beginning in May. These sessions are meant to give farmers, cooperatives and companies interested in our Fair Trade program comprehensive information and to answer their questions before making a commitment. Of course, existing producers and licensees may also participate. For more details, check our website under producer and licensee information.
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Fair Trade Sustainability Alliance PO Box 791 New Lebanon, NY 12125 518-794-0286 [email protected] http://fairtsa.org |
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