BuzzFlash Reviews

BUZZFLASH REVIEWS

BuzzFlash started its Fair Trade Mondays so readers could personally improve the lives of workers around the world -- including the U.S.A., of course. The Fair Trade concept allows consumers to make purchasing decisions that rectify, in a direct way, the ruthless low-pay impact of trade treaties like NAFTA.

Today, BuzzFlash is offering three one pound boxes of Fair Trade unrefined cane sugar from a cooperative on the island of Negros in the Philippines. "As a result of historic and cultural influences, a handful of rich landowners own the majority of the land and have a monopoly over production and the trade of sugar. Created in 1987 to counter these unfair trade practices, the Alter Trade co-operative aims to redistribute the profits from sugar production to small producers. The co-operative guarantees them stable and decent revenue via, among other projects, the implementation of organic production methods that increase the fertility of the soil and the final product buying price."

As for the sugar, it's the best: "Alter Eco unrefined ground cane sugar is naturally moist and has a rich taste with hints of vanilla. The sugar crystals are enveloped in a thick coat of molasses and are loaded with the richness of unrefined nutrients and minerals. It contains up to fifty times more minerals than a refined sugar, white or brown... Cane sugar is perfect for naturally sweetening your drinks, pastries and yogurts..." If you are going to use sugar, your might as well get the finest.

It's also nice to buy a product that recognizes the work of woman as well as men: "Both ATC and the POs have a political orientation, which represents the interests of the landless-and small-scale farmers, and they speak for them vehemently. What is noticeable is the very active role that women play. Norma Mugar manages the business of ATC, and also ATFI is lead by a woman. More than 50% of the employees, especially in the higher levels of the company, are female. Among the farmers' organizations one notices that the female consultants of ATFI are highly respected and accepted. All in all, one can say that the ATC group is very woman-friendly."

Finally, who could not buy sugar from an organization with this mission? "The Alter Trade Group is committed to the development of people and the Fair Trade - their bottom line. The organization is envisioned as a professional, innovative and socially-responsible business organization in partnership with self-reliant and self-determining communities responding to the demands of customers in the Philippines and the world for quality produce from sustainable agriculture, operating in a viable, socially-just economic system that is in harmony with the environment and the society."

BuzzFlash is very proud to offer our readers the Fair Trade option.

(By the way, some BuzzFlash readers have asked what happened to the BuzzFlash Fair Trade chocolate products. Unfortunately, due to the summer heat, we have had to suspend sales until the fall, but the chocolate will be back. It's just that no wants to receive melted chocolate in the mail. It can get quite messy indeed.)

BUZZFLASH REVIEWS