BRATTLEBORO, VT – At the WTO conference in Cancun, Mexico, Vermont-based ForesTrade, Inc. is being featured, by the European Trade Commission as an excellent example of sustainable trade. ForesTrade was invited by the European Commission to present at the Sustainable Trade Day and has been consistently highlighted as the type of business that gives hope for developing countries and small producers worldwide. Created in 1996, ForesTrade is currently the world’s largest supplier of tropical organic spices and supplies over 10% of the fair trade coffee sold in the U.S.

Speaking at the conference, Sylvia Blanchet, Co-founder and Vice President of ForesTrade presented a compelling business model for promoting sustainable development, Fair Trade, and multi-stakeholder partnerships. “Following my presentation, I was asked how the market environment could support sustainable trade?” reflected Blanchet. “While I believe it is an important development that sustainable trade has drawn considerable interest from WTO delegates and the press, I also believe trade that is fair for all participants will only come when market access, domestic subsidies and export subsidies are openly and fairly addressed.” Blanchet goes on to say, “the fact that the EU Commission is asking the right questions gives me hope.”

Taking place at the same time as the WTO conference is the Fair Trade Symposium at which producers, NGOs and consumers are vocalizing the need for Fair Trade, sustainable development and market access to be made a priority.

Inspired by the recognition fair trade is getting at the WTO, Blanchet notes that this event reminds her of the famous quote by Margaret Mead,

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

ForesTrade is the world’s largest supplier of organic tropical spices and a leader in organic and Fair Trade coffee. The Company works directly with an estimated 6,000 local indigenous farmers in Guatemala and Indonesia, bringing quality products to international markets, while actively promoting sustainability at the source.

ForesTrade was the only US Company awarded the 2002 World Summit Sustainable Business Award, presented by UNEP and the ICC the World Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

ForesTrade, Inc.

ForesTrade, Inc.

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