News & Events

What's New in 2010

• In December 2009, Nestle announced that effective Jan 2010 their Kit Kat Chocolate bar will be Fair Trade. Over 1 billion Kit Kat bars are sold annually in the UK and the chocolate will be supplied by cocoa from Ivory Coast, a region of extreme poverty, described in Carol Off’s book "Bitter Chocolate". This announcement was made only six months after Cadbury announced that the Dairy Milk Bar would be Fair Trade in the UK in 2009 and in North America in 2010.
• Green and Black's, the UK organic chocolate supplier, announced in January, that all of its chocolate will be Fair Trade by 2011.
• Zehrs in Barrie has recently added Fair Trade grapes to it’s offering of fresh produce that already includes Fair Trade bananas and Fair Trade oranges.
• Barrie's Metro Store on Bayfield has a good selection of Fair Trade products. coffee, hot chocolate, chocolate and tea.
• Two new cafes in Barrie are promoting Fair Trade products; Cafe del Sol on Maple St. and Candyland Express on Bayfield St.

2010 Events

1. Jan. 8th. The BFTWG made a presentation to the City of Barrie Fair Trade Town task group. The task group has been assembled to review the requirements for Barrie to qualify as a Fair Trade Town and make recommendations to council. The meeting included a review of the Fair Trade program as well as scheduling, promotion ideas and any anticipated costs.
2. Jan. 10th. The Barrie Green Party annual general meeting was held at the Barrie Library. Coffee was provided by the BFTWG and Fair Trade chocolate was provided courtesy of La Siembra. See photos.
3. Every Wednesday, the Georgian College environmental action group GEAR provides free Fair Trade coffee in the morning, in the foyer of the library, and during Wednesday evening's Movie Night in the Roundtree Theatre. For more information contact Mandy Hutter 705-321-8327
4. Jan. 17th. World religion day was held in the Rotunda at Barrie City Hall. The event was attended by Mayor Dave Aspen and Aileen Carroll MPP. Bob Jowett of the BFTWG provided Fair Trade coffee and tea. See photos.
5. Jan. 30th. The Barrie YMCA organized a Fair Trade Fair. Fair Trade ceramics and craft items were sold by Ten Thousand Villages and Fair Trade coffee was available to all.
6. Feb. 4th. The first meeting of Transition Town Huronia was held at the Karma Market Place in Penetang. A variety of artists and writers attended as well as representatives from the Simcoe County Farm Fresh organization. Bob Jowett of the BFTWG gave a talk and Fair Trade coffee was served. For more information contact Erin Chapelle 705-549-5999.
7. Feb. 6th. The annual Barrie Winterfest Pancake Breakfast was held again at Central United Church. Lots of Fair Trade Coffee provided by Van Houtte and served by Peter Sullivan and Sean Rootham of the BFTWG. See photos.
8. Feb. 7th. The first concert of the Huronia Symphony Orchestra was held at Central United Church. Fair Trade coffee was donated by Hamley's Tea and Coffee of Minet's Point and coffee was served by Stephanie Wolfe and Bruce Morton of the BFTWG.
9. Feb. 7th. The Barrie Green Party held their Town Hall meeting. Fair Trade coffee was served. Bob Jowett represented the BFTWG.
10. Feb. 16th. The Kiwanis Club of Barrie, Golden K Chapter holds their weekly meeting at the Army Navy Hall. The guest speaker Bruce Morton. The topic Fair Trade. See photos.
11. Every Wednesday, ongoing Fair Trade promotions and free coffee organized by GEAR at Georgian College. Contact Mandy Hutter 705-321-8327.
12. May 3rd. The Staff Report recommending Fair Trade Town qualification receives unanimous approval by the City of Barrie General Committee.
13. May 4th. Fair Trade information table and free coffee, 9am to 1 pm., Barrie City Hall rotunda.
14. May 6th. Writer Bob Bruton writes an article in the Barrie Examiner, discussing Barrie's qualification as a Fair Trade Town.
15. May 8th. Fair Trade information table and free President's Choice Fair Trade coffee at Zehrs, Bayfield St. See photos.
16. May 8th. Hamley's Tea & Coffee Co., Minets Pt. promotes Fair Trade Weeks with special pricing and road sign advertising.
17. May 10th. The Fair Trade Town Motion passes second reading and final approval by Barrie City Council. BARRIE BECOMES A FAIR TRADE TOWN! See photos.
18. May 13th. Innisdale Secondary staff room is provided with Fair Trade coffee courtesy of teacher Eleanor Alexander.
19. May 15th. Fair Trade information table and free coffee at the Barrie Public Library
20. May 16th. Huronia Symphony Concert at Barrie Central United Church, Fair Trade coffee sponsored by Hamley's Tea & Coffee Co.
21. May 21st. Bayfield Mall, A Question of Peace event. The Barrie Learning Centre provides a Fair Trade information table and B's Café provides the Fair Trade coffee.
22. May 1st to 15th. Barrie Central Collegiate, promotes International Fair Trade weeks with Fair Trade information table and free Fair Trade coffee.
23. June 5th, The Annual Celebrate Barrie event at Centennial Park. The BFTWG celbrated our new Fair Trade Town Status with a 20'x10' tent. A Fair Trade colouring contest for kids, attracted lots of attention Fair Trade coffee as well as chocolate sponsored by Cadbury and La Siembra. See photos.
24. June 12th, Ecofest. Transition Barrie occupied a 60' x 40' tent, The event promoting environmental sustainability was sponsored with free Fair Trade coffee from Van Houtte. See photos.
25. August 1st, Rotary Pancake Breakfast at Kempenfest. Almost 500 guests attend the 2010 event with Fair Trade coffee supplied by The Madison County Food and Beverage Company. Colin Wison, Barrie's Federal Liberal candidate assisted with the Fair Trade promotion.

Visit our gallery for photos of the above events.

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