The Small Producer Symbol (SPP), a certification and labeling system created and run by small Fair Trade producers in Latin America, reports that now 33 small producer organizations are certified under the system and another 16 are in process of getting certified. 11 others have applied for certification. Also, a new Canadian importer, N. J. Douek & Sons, has joined the list of registered companies and a German buyer is in process of registration. The system welcomed its sixth certification ...

Enter the World Fair Trade Day 2013 Prize Drawing, organized by Fair Trade Resource Network, to win a large basket of Wholesome Sweetners products. Limit of one entry (email address) per person. Entries accepted up until end of May 19, 2013. Enter Prize Drawing 1 winner, to be randomly selected on May 20, 2013, will receive a basket with these products: 2 lb Wholesome Sweeteners Fairtrade Organic Sugar 1 lb Wholesome Sweeteners Fairtrade Organic Sucanat 1 lb Wholesome Sweeteners Fairtrade ...

Fair Trade USA has launched a campaign to highlight Fair Trade Certified during Mother’s Day, with producer stories, recipes, coupons on Fair Trade products, and downloadable images and social media messages. The campaign is also part of World Fair Trade Day outreach in N. America. More at http://fairtradeusa.org/moms Campaign organizers can find downloadable materials and suggested social media posts at:  http://fairtradeusa.org/resources/campaigns/mothers-day-2013

When Hershey announced in October 2012 that it would source only certified cocoa by 2020, the company remained vague on which certifications, and on their timeline/benchmarks for achieving this. Now Hershey has published an update, which mentions: “Hershey has already committed to source cocoa through three of the world’s most recognized cocoa certifying organizations: UTZ, Fair Trade USA and Rainforest Alliance.” The update also states that: “The company has committed to ...