Number
070280
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. ZIELINSKI, BAUMAN AND D'AMATO
Title
Resolution declaring the City of Milwaukee a Fair Trade City.
Analysis
This resolution declares that the City of Milwaukee is a “Fair Trade City.” According to the requirements outlined by Fair Trade Towns in Europe and the United States, the following goals must be met to be considered a “Fair Trade” town or city:
1. The local council passes a resolution supporting Fair Trade, and agrees to serve Fair Trade tea and coffee in its offices.
2. A range of Fair Trade products is readily available in the area’s shops and local cafes and catering establishments.
3. Fair Trade products are used by numerous workplaces and community organizations.
4. There is media coverage and popular support for the Fair Trade Town campaign.
5. A local Fair Trade steering group is convened to ensure continued commitment to its Fair Trade Town status.
Body
Whereas, “Fair Trade” is an innovative, market-based system that promotes fair labor practices and healthy and safe work environments through the production of food and other goods; and
Whereas, Production of Fair Trade goods is achieved through sustainable and ecologically friendly means, and producers are provided prices that translate into truly livable wages; and
Whereas, There are towns throughout Europe and one in the United States that have been designated as “Fair Trade Towns,” and have been thus designated through meeting the following requirements:
1. The local council passes a resolution supporting Fair Trade, and agrees to serve Fair Trade tea and coffee in its offices.
2. A range of Fair Trade products is readily available in the area’s shops and local cafes and catering establishments.
3. Fair Trade products are used by numerous workplaces and community organizations.
4. There is media coverage and popular support for the Fair Trade Town campaign.
5. A local Fair Trade steering group is convened to ensure continued commitment to its Fair Trade Town status.
; and
Whereas, A wide range of fair trade products is available throughout the City, including coffee, tea and handicrafts, and are used by numerous workplaces and community and faith-based organizations; and
Whereas, Popular support for Fair Trade has been expressed by citizens, businesses and local media, and support for the Fair Trade initiative within the City is continually growing; and
Whereas, A steering group has been convened to ensure the City’s commitment to its Fair Trade City status, and for the purpose of education and encouraging individuals, businesses and other levels of government to make responsible purchasing decisions and support Fair Trade; and
Whereas, Therefore, the City of Milwaukee has met the 5 requirements and is eligible to be designated as a “Fair Trade City”; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council declares that the City of Milwaukee is a Fair Trade City; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council urges all City departments to purchase Fair Trade products for individual office coffee and tea purchases when those products are readily available and comparably priced to other items; and, be it
Further Resolved, That all City contracts for services or items relating to the purchase of food or beverages shall include a statement which urges the contractor to make Fair Trade products available.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB07296-1
LCS
5/16/07