WASHINGTON - Art is an experience, not an object. The words of Robert Motherwell come to mind as Fairtrade America launches its third annual Choose Fairtrade. Choose the world you want. campaign. In a mission to bridge the gap between consumers and Fairtrade farmers and workers through inspiring art, Fairtrade America and National Co+op Grocers have teamed up to bring new murals to Atlanta, Georgia; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Portland, Oregon.
“Now, more than ever, we must all do our part to prioritize a fairer deal for farmers,” said Kate Stritzinger, Director of Marketing and External Relations, Fairtrade America. “With these stunning mural portraits of Fairtrade farmers, we hope to remind people across the United States that every trip to the grocery store is an extraordinary opportunity to choose the world you want. Business leaders and shoppers alike have an incredible chance to choose a world where the people who grow the food we use and enjoy every day—like cocoa, coffee, and tea—get a fairer deal on their goods.”
This year, as noted in a press release, all three murals will feature women farmers and raise awareness of several key areas of impact for Fairtrade, including promoting gender equality and building resilience to climate change.
To bring this campaign to life, Fairtrade America partnered with notable mural artists and key retailers in three major metropolitan cities where mural art is already a prominent part of the culture. This year’s murals can be found at Sevananda Natural Foods Market in Atlanta, Outpost Natural Foods Bay View store in Milwaukee, and the People’s Food Co-op in Portland.
"The women featured in our murals this year are facing even greater challenges as they navigate the effects of climate change, inflation, and the lingering impacts of the COVID pandemic. It is essential that we make choices that will create an environment where farmers can thrive, not just survive. We hope these murals help connect people across the U.S. to the real people behind our food and provide motivation to choose the world we want," continued Stritzinger.
To read about each of these creative and inspiring murals and the artists who created them, click here.
Cheers to another successful year of this unique campaign!
