Chico Fair Trade Town

On February 14, 2009, Chico became the 2nd Fair Trade Town in California and 10th in the nation! Becoming a Fair Trade Town required our City Council to pass a resolution in support of Fair Trade principles, businesses and organizatons to offer fair trade products, and local citizens pledging to use those products.

See below for a list of businesses that have pledged to offer certified Fair Trade products.

Another requirement is that we form a Steering Committee to continue educating our community and assist businesses in becoming a part of this fast growing movement.  The Steering Committee is open to anyone interested in educating and promoting the use of certified Fair Trade products and principles.  If you are interested in getting involved with this work, send an email to our Volunteer Coordinator at activists@chico-peace.org.

The Fair Trade Store

The Fair Trade Store proudly offers certified Fair Trade products from around the world. We purchase most of our products through Ten Thousand Villages, Equal Exchange, Global Crafts and Serrv International.

Our intention is to offer products from around the world that support the families that produce them. We also strive to educate our commun about living wage and fair value issues.  Also, proceeds from the sale of our products supports the operations of the Chico Peace and Justice Center.

The Fair Trade Store is open Monday thru Friday, 12-6 pm and located inside the Peace and Justice Center (526 Broadway Street).

About Fair Trade

Fair trade is a system of exchange that seeks to create greater equity and partnership in international trading system by  

• Paying fair wages in local context;
• Supporting participatory workplaces;
• Ensuring environmental sustainability;
• Offering public accountability.
• Respecting cultural identity;
• Building direct and long-term relationships; and,
• Educating consumers.

Fair trade organizations cultivate partnerships with their suppliers and contribute to the development of communities. Fair trade is not about charity; it uses a more fair system of exchange to empower producers and to create sustainable, positive change. 
 

Participating Businesses:

African Connection - 225 Main Street, 899-3753
Clothing, jewelry, music, instruments, gifts, and art.

Augies - 230 Salem Street,  894-3764
100% Fair Trade/organic coffee!

Baby's Boutique - 1465 Mangrove Avenue, 898-8687
Organic, fair trade toys and clothes.

Bellachinos - 800 Bruce Road, 892-2244

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream - 855 East Avenue, Suite 260, 893-9377
Various flavors are 100% Fair Trade certified.

Bidwell Perk - 664 East 1st Avenue, 899-1500

Cafe Mondo - 951 Nord Avenue, 895-0878

Cal Java - 216 West East Avenue,  891-8935
1601 Esplanade, 894-3534
2485 Notre Dame Boulevard, 893-2662

Chico Natural Foods - 818 Main Street, 891-1713
All types of products including coffee, tea, bananas, chocolate, sodas, skin care, gifts, and candles.

Empire Coffee - 434 Organge Street, 899-8267
100% Fair Trade/organic coffee

The Fair Trade Store (in the Chico Peace and Justice Center) - 526 Broadway Street, 893-9078
A variety of Equal Exchange coffees and teas, almonds, pecans and cranberries. Jewelry, toys, art, Buddhist products, furniture, instruments, books, house-ware, candles, gifts, greeting cards, and baskets.

Grilla Bites - 196 Cohasset Road, 343-4876
Organic Fair Trade Coffee & tea.

S&S Produce - 1924 Mangrove Avenue, 343-4930
Rice, fruits, chocolate, teas, coffee and more.

Sin of Cortez - 2290 Esplanage, 520-7623

Trader Joe's - 801 East Avenue, 343-9920
Chocolate and coffee.

The Upper Crust Bakery - 130 Main Street, 895-3866

FT Resources

Becoming a Fair Trade Town: www.fairtradetownsusa.org

12 Ways You Can Support Fair Trade