Manly Fair Trade Market: celebrating the bounty of the Pacific — and Mothers’ Day!

Monday 27 April 2009, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Suva Regional Office, Fiji Islands-
Fair Trade Fortnight is an annual event recognised around the world to celebrate fair trade and raise awareness about the movement, and Manly Fair Trade Market is part of Australia’s participation in this event.

This year for the first time, Pasifika Fair Trade, a burgeoning movement of producers and organisations pioneering fair trade in the Pacific Islands region will participate in the Manly Fair Trade Market.

The organisation supports business development, marketing, product development, fair trade accreditation, capacity building and linkages between nations in the region.Pasifika Fair Trade is an umbrella brand for the fair trade movement across the region being promoted through the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s (SPC’s) EU-funded FACT (Facilitating Agricultural Commodity Trade) project.

SPC is the largest developmental organisation in the Pacific Islands and has been active for more than 60 years.
According to FACT Project Team Leader Dr Lex Thomson, through operating under fair trade principles, and coupled with appropriate branding, Pacific Island producers have a better opportunity to receive higher prices for their produce and obtain greater social benefits from their endeavours.

‘Twelve to fourteen producers and organisations from three countries (Fiji Islands, Samoa and Vanuatu) are showcasing their products at these events, including FACT recipients Origins Pacific Limited, Fiji FRIEND and Women in Business Development.

‘Our Pasifika Fair Trade showcase encompasses island dance, food and products, as well as a visiting contingent.’ Dr Thomson said.

‘Fair Trade Fiesta (May 7Th) is the highlight of Sydney’s Fair Trade Fortnight, a day of entertainment, speakers, gourmet cuisine and celebrity chefs, and a bustling products market, while Manly Fair Trade Market is a key event on World Fair Trade Day (May 9th). Pasifika Fair Trade is taking a Pacific focus to this event.’

Celebrating both World Fair Trade Day and Mothers’ Day in Australia, the Manly Fair Trade Market will be hosting free entertainment including a Hula performance, music group Three Quarters Hazel (back due to popular demand), street theatre, free kid’s face painting and Mother’s Day gift activities.

Mothers’ Day gift opportunities, ranging from jewellery and fashion items to chocolate and delectable organic foods, and lots of other exciting goodies will be on offer at Manly Council’s next Fair Trade Market at Manly Council Chambers Forecourt on Saturday 9 May 2009, which is also World Fair Trade Day.Meanwhile Councillor Jean Hay, Mayor of Manly, believes trade can certainly reduce hardship, ‘but Pacific producers must not be forced into signing away the jobs, lands, traditions and rights of Pacific peoples.’‘Fair Trade is a growing international movement which ensures that producers in developing countries in the Pacific region and elsewhere get a fair deal.

‘This means they get a fair price for their goods — one that covers the cost of production and guarantees a sustainable livelihood; long-term contracts which provide income security; and, when appropriate, additional support to gain the knowledge and skills that they need to develop their businesses and increase sales.’ Councillor Hay said.

(For further information please contact Vinesh Prasad on vineshp@spc.int or visit SPC’s website (http://www.spc.int/).