By Aaron Wright
The Norman Transcript
NORMAN — As soccer players ran about on the fields in Andrews Park, Sara Kaplan, sitting on a blanket in preparation for a lunch picnic, explained that Norman Fair Trade’s World Fair Trade Day celebration focused on athletics in order to promote a new fair trade product — sports balls.
Kaplan, a member of the Norman Fair Trade steering committee, was at the Play Fair Soccer Tournament, which was part of the World Fair Trade Day Festivities on Saturday. A Fair Throw Basketball Shooting Contest also was scheduled for the day to promote the newest fair trade product.
“We thought, what a great way to highlight that,” Kaplan said.
Fair trade products are those certified to have been made by workers who were legal to work and paid fair wages for their contributions. Fair trade items are also those made in places that foster development and maintain environmental standards, according to educational material from the Fair Trade Federation.
Norman Fair Trade is a fledgling organization, existing in Norman for a little more than a year. Kaplan said one of the group’s goals is to educate people about fair trade products and their importance. Despite a growing movement toward using these certified products, Kaplan said most people here are still unaware these products exist.
“That’s why we’re trying to get out and spread the word,” she said.
Kaplan said the group has hosted several tastings for common fair trade products such as produce, chocolate and coffee.
Film screenings and other educational events also have occurred throughout the year. The World Fair Trade Day celebration, however, is the group’s most expansive effort so far. The group also hosted a Fair Trade Concert Friday night in conjunction with World Fair Trade Day.
Kaplan said the group attempts to host a variety of events so they can educate as many different people as possible. She said their intention is not to continually “preach to the choir.”
Norman Fair Trade’s next event will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Native Roots Market. There will be a reception for those who participated in the Norman Photo Contest. Tastings of fair trade items will be available.
Aaron Wright 366-3533 pop@normantranscript.com
