AR178

An Assembly Resolution supporting the sale and recommending the consumption of fair trade certified coffee, tea, and chocolate at the State House Complex.

Whereas, In the context of the global economy, consumer choices affect communities and the environment throughout the world; and

Whereas, Most small-scale farmers who receive local market prices for their harvests cannot meet the cost of production and are therefore forced into a cycle of poverty and debt; and

Whereas, Dire poverty is prevalent in the regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America where farmers grow the coffee, tea, and cacao beans we consume; and

Whereas, Large-scale, unsustainable farming of these agricultural products leads to many environmental problems, such as the contamination of air and water supplies from pesticide use, the clear-cutting of forested areas, and the extinction of some bird species due to the destruction of their habitats; and

Whereas, Fair trade certified coffee, tea, and chocolate made from cacao beans, are products that have been purchased without the participation of intermediate dealers, and at a guaranteed minimum price per pound which enables small-scale farmers to sustain their farms and to avoid debt. In the case of coffee, the minimum price per pound is $1.26; and

Whereas, TransFair USA, a non-profit fair trade certification organization in the United States, has certified over 92 million pounds of fair trade coffee since its founding in 1998, and has worked with more than 300 companies to generate more than $34 million in additional income for small coffee farmers; and

Whereas, Other organizations also have certification standards, some of which exceed those of TransFair USA; and

Whereas, TransFair USA encourages the cultivation of coffee under organic conditions and under shade tree canopies, which preserve trees and birds; and

Whereas, With the profits generated from receiving a fair price for the coffee, tea, and cacao beans they produce, farmers can invest in community development, healthcare, education, and environmental responsibility; and

Whereas, The legislative and executive officers of this State, as well as the State House Complex staff, have a responsibility to set a high standard of ethics with regard to their economic activities and, therefore, to ensure that the goods and services they purchase are produced in the fairest manner possible; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House supports the sale and consumption of fair trade certified coffee, tea, and chocolate and recommends that Cafe NJ and Sweet Heaven, the food vendors at the State House Complex, offer fair trade certified coffee, tea, and chocolate to its customers at the State House Complex.

2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to Cafe NJ and Sweet Heaven.

STATEMENT

This Assembly Resolution supports the sale and consumption of fair trade certified coffee, tea, and chocolate at the State House Complex, and recommends that Cafe NJ and Sweet Heaven, the food vendors at the complex, offer these fair trade certified products to its customers.

Fair trade certified coffee, tea, and chocolate are products that have been purchased without the participation of intermediate dealers and at a guaranteed minimum price per pound, which is $1.26 in the case of coffee. This guaranteed minimum price enables small-scale farmers in the regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America to sustain their farms and avoid debt, and to invest in education, healthcare, and community development. Fair trade certification of these products also results in environmental benefits, such as the preservation of clean water resources, forest areas, and bird species. For example, much fair trade certified coffee is grown under shade tree canopies and using organic fertilizers.

In recognition of all the benefits fair trade certified products bring to local communities around the world, this resolution supports the sale and consumption of fair trade certified coffee, tea, and chocolate at the State House Complex.