Must See Fair Trade TV

by zarah

Published September 28, 2008 @ 10:32AM PT

The internets have really changed my viewing habits where I’m spending less time in front of a television and more time (all my time?) in front of a computer. I often scour the interweb for missed episodes of 30 Rock, news media clips and even things like this. During my scour fest, I also come across tons of interesting online video clips about Fair Trade. There really are tons of Fair Trade video content floating out there, so to make it nice and easy for you, I’ve come up with a top ten list of ‘Must See Fair Trade TV’. In no particular order…

1.    John Oliver on Unfair Trade

Think the Fair Trade labels are too confusing? Political humorist John Oliver offers an idea for a standard label to cut out all the confusion. From Unfair Trade to outsourcing, this clip takes a funny jab at the tightening grip of globalization.

2.    Why Fair Trade?

Jamie Guzzi of TransFairUSA goes around the San Francisco Green Festival asking festival attendees why they chose Fair Trade. The Plastic Bag Monster, who is a cross between the Plastic Bag Lady and Oscar the Grouch (with a green message!), even makes a cameo in the short clip. Also check out “Why Fair Trade: at the Chicago Green Festival.

3.    Santiago’s Story

An old video made by TransFairUSA when they were just beginning to certify Fair Trade coffee. It introduces you to the “cutting edge concept of trade” called Fair Trade through the story of Santiago who tells us about the benefits that Fair Trade has given to his family and community.

4.    Fair Trade Woman

In honor of FairTrade Fortnight in England, Becks, an Oxfam employee, takes the identity of FairTrade Woman for fourteen days and lives, breathes, and eats Fair Trade. Check out her MySpace page, where she posts other videos documenting her progress and even has a funny clip called Charlie’s Fairtrade Angels. It’s pretty brilliant and one angel in particular gives Farrah Fawcett a run for her money.  Also check out the Irish Fair Trade woman --  I just might take the challenge myself to represent the good ol’ U S of A in 2009. Stay tuned.

5.    Fair Trade Man

Because we don’t discriminate on this blog, I must introduce you to Fair Trade Man. He too has a MySpace page with all the videos documenting his progress (even a meeting with Fair Trade Woman!). The best might be the final video where he celebrates the end of the challenge with a special meal, only to find out some disappointing news.

6.    Thom Yorke for Fair Trade

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke talks about his support for Fair Trade and ending slavery and human exploitation.  Radiohead released a video for their song “All I Need” for a campaign aiming to expose child labor and get dialogue started in hopes of ending such forms of exploitation. Yorke isn’t the only rock star advocating on behalf of Fair Trade. Chris Martin of Coldplay fame also wants you to join him in making Trade Fair.

7.    Understanding Fair Trade

This string of videos answers all the burning questions I know you have about Fair Trade. In this “Ask the Expert” format, Sam Bills of Ten Thousand Villages tackles issues such as Fair Trade labels and certification, environmental sustainability, and different Fair Trade Organizations. You can get a whole lot of Fair Trade learning done by watching these videos. I personally find the robot-sounding person asking the questions eerily soothing.

8.    How to Buy Fair Trade Coffee

The Howdini Guru shows us how easy it is to find Fair Trade coffee at your local coffee shop and grocery store. Don’t see it on the shelves? Our guru gives us a tip on how to make Fair Trade start appearing at your favorite java spots.

9.  Mirembe Kawomera Documentary Trailer

Fair Trade isn’t just about fair prices for these coffee farmers. This documentary trailer introduces you to Muslim, Christian and Jewish coffee farmers in Uganda who came together to make a better life for themselves despite their religious differences, and has proven to the rest of the world that peace is possible.

10. Fair Trade Cooking Challenge

(Ed. Note. Sorry folks, can't seem to figure out to embed this video. Ya gotta click that link!)

I don’t know about you, but I’m an avid Food Network watcher, so I was really excited to find this Fair Trade cooking show video. They found a top eco-chef to show us how to cook a starter, a main course, and dessert using mainly Fair Trade products. As this video proves, Fair Trade isn’t just about coffee and chocolate -- it can also be a well-balanced meal.