The second annual Canadian Fairtrade Awards Winners

The second annual Canadian Fairtrade Awards were presented to ten Canadian retail and food service businesses October 3rd in recognition of their ongoing promise to Fair Trade an ethical move toward to doing business that supports agricultural communities, ethical labour practice and sustainable agriculture around the world.

There are more than 5,000 Fairtrade products available on the Canadian market. Their range is wide from coffee, tea, fruits, nuts and sweets, wine, textiles, flowers and even jewelers, said Tom Smith, Fairtrade Canada Executive Director. Canadians are increasingly concerned about the story behind the products they buy and want companies to demonstrate they are operating ethically. 

A free panel of judges assessed nominees on a variety of criteria, including range of products offered; promotion, education and engagement vision, mission, and values. There were many strong nominees, and this year’s winners are:

• Federated Co-operatives Limited, for Grocery/Supermarket – Large national or regional chain
• Choices Markets, for Grocery/Supermarket – Medium independent
• Fresh Carrot, for Grocery/Supermarket – Small independent
• Community Natural Foods, for Natural/Health Food Store
• Ten Thousand Villages Plaza Dr. Winnipeg, Specialty Store
• GMCR Canada, for Café/Restaurant/other Service Provider – Large national or regional chain
• Bridgehead, for Café/Restaurant/Food Service Provider – average independent
• Alternative Grounds, for /Restaurant/Food Service Provider – Small independent
• Camino, for Co-operative
• Manitoba Liquor Marts for Provincial Liquor Board

A special award was presented to the company Aymara for their product Premium Organic Coconut Milk, voted Canada Favorite Fairtrade Product 2013 by nearly 5,000 Canadians during Fair Trade Fortnight. The Fair Trade Fortnight is an annual 2-week blitz celebrating and promoting all Fair Trade, taking place during May 1-15.

The awards reception took place at Hank’s in downtown Toronto on October 3, where Fairtrade certified coffee, tea, beer, and wine other drinks were served.