The weekend the world came to Delmar!

There was a great turnout for the two Fair Trade craft markets held over the past weekend (November 14 & 15). Congratulations to the organisers of both these excellent events, held at Delmar Reformed Church and Delmar United Methodist Church. I lost count of the number of countries that were represented - Malawi, Vietnam, Ecuador, Tibet, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan...the list was endless. And the crafts were BEAUTIFUL.

Different vendors attended each of the events, so well done those shoppers who came out on Saturday and Sunday and saw the best of both!

If you missed these sales, don't despair - there will be another chance to shop Fair Trade for the holidays on December 12 and 13 at St Thomas School, Delmar, after each Mass (from 5 pm on Saturday, and 7:30, 9, 10:30 am and 12 noon on Sunday). Again it will be a whole new set of vendors, so even those who came to this month's events won't want to miss out!

Thank you, shop hoppers!

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in Delmar's First Fair Trade Shop Hop. It's great that many local independent businesses are supporting Fair Trade, and that customers are showing they appreciate this commitment.

The lucky winners of the Shop Hop prize drawing have now been chosen and contacted. Congratulations all you winners! Thanks go to the businesses who donated gift vouchers: Ten Thousand Villages (Stuyvesant Plaza), Delmar Health Hut, Peaceful Inspirations and Java Jazz Cafe.

To those who took part but didn't win a prize - better luck next time! Meanwhile, please keep on promoting social justice by supporting Fair Trade in our community. Together we'll make Delmar a Fair Trade Town!

Fair Trade Faithful

Many faith groups have long been supporters of Fair Trade, as they recognize the compatibility of this movement with their beliefs and mission aims. We are delighted that several local churches are backing our campaign to make Delmar a Fair Trade Town.

The following all have a long-standing committment to Fair Trade:

Delmar Reformed Church serves FT refreshments after services and has a not-for-profit FT sales table in the lobby, available to the public. DRC will host a Fair Trade Market with multiple vendors on Saturday, November 14, 11am-5pm. All welcome.

Delmar United Methodist Church also prioritizes the use of FT products for its congregation, and provides a monthly sale of Equal Exchange goods. There will be a Fair Trade Fair at the church with vendors from throughout the Capital District on Sunday, November 15, 10:30am - 2pm. All welcome.

St. Thomas the Apostle Church is another long-term Fair Trade supporter, with regular sales to the congregation of FT coffee and, most recently, chocolate. An annual Fair Trade market - The Work of Human Hands sale - will be held at St Thomas School after ALL of the masses at the church on the weekend of December 12 and 13 (5 pm on Saturday and 7:30, 9, 10:30 am and 12 noon on Sunday. Open to all.

With so many Fair Trade markets to choose from right here in Delmar, it should be easy to find wonderful FT gifts for friends and family this holiday season. There will be different vendors at each event, so why not attend them all!

Gifts that give twice

Last Shop Hop stop is...

Peaceful Inspirations
384 Kenwood Ave, tel: 439 6537




A great place to buy locally made or Fair Trade gifts, including jewellery and toys.

More than just lunch

Today's shop hop focus is on

Four Corners Luncheonette
2 Grove St, tel: 439-0172





Have a great meal at the cozy luncheonette, and follow it with a cup of Fair Trade coffee. Baked goods, snacks and FT coffee also available at Delmar Farmers' Market most Saturdays.

FT coffee to go

Today we're dropping in on...

Delmar Marketplace
406 Kenwood Ave, tel: 439 3936

You can pick up a Fair Trade coffee to go here - choose from a range of seasonal flavors: Autumn Harvest, Mountain Blueberry, Pumpkin Spice...

...or traditional Breakfast Blend.

And you can stock up on Newman's Own, too.

Perfect cup of coffee

Another stop on our shop hop tour is the:

Perfect Blend Cafe
376 Delaware Ave, tel: 439-6537





Order a Nicaraguan organic Fair Trade coffee - you won't regret it.

Perfect Blend supports many great causes, including raising funds in support of a high school education program in Belize.