Fair Trade Chocolate: The Beet, Weaver Street's E-Newsletter

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Fair Trade Chocolate
More than a Tasty Novelty
By Elizabeth Friend, WSM Contributing Writer
Weaver Street Market has recently added some great new chocolate bars to our shelves, so it seemed like a good time to revisit the concept of fair trade chocolate and examine how something as small as a candy bar can make such a difference in the day-to-day lives of cocoa growers. More than a tasty novelty, Fair Trade chocolate represents social and economic progress in an industry traditionally marked by poverty, deprivation and inhuman working conditions. We are proud to add Alter Eco Chocolate to our ever-expanding line of fairly-traded products that combine good taste with good sense. Alter Eco Organic Dark Velvet Chocolate blends rich cocoa with a touch of milk for a mellifluous melody of chocolate, while the Alter Eco Milk Moka Chocolate combines smooth milk chocolate and South American coffee beans (also fairly-traded) to create a complex and sophisticated flavor. More

Jazz Brunch
Wine Sale
Wine Show SV
Wiener Dog Day
2nd Friday Art Walk
Scrap Exchange at SV

Elections!
WSM Annual Meeting

Last Farm Days
ArtsCenter Charette
CHICLE Cultural Event
Whimsical Women at SV

Almond Update

Italian Wine Dinner
November Wine Dinner
Special Desserts!

Weekly Produce Specials
Weekly Meat Specials

Chocolate Specials
Fair Trade/Co-op/ Specials




Fair Trade Chocolate continued
Why is fair trade so important? Put simply, fair trade is about ensuring that farmers are paid a reasonable price for their cocoa beans. Prior to the introduction of fair trade practices, farmers wanting to sell their crops were at the mercy of brokers and middlemen. Because the farmers had no way to negotiate with chocolate companies for a fair price, these middlemen would arbitrarily drive the price of cocoa beans down, then turn around and sell the beans to chocolate makers at a substantial profit. Unfortunately, none of this profit ever reached the farmers or their communities. Sometimes the price was too low to recoup the cost of growing the crop in the first place. Fair trade is different. It cuts out the brokers and middlemen, helping farmers export their crops directly to the chocolate producers. Gone is the economic disparity between bean growers and chocolate makers, the secret price gouging, and the tacit approval of unscrupulous practices like child and slave labor. Instead, the process is transparent: you can trace the path from bean to bar. Fair trade buyers work with cooperatively run farms to guarantee a yearly yield of high-quality cocoa beans that are used to make some of the best chocolate available. Chocolate makers promise to pay farmers enough money per pound to support the cost of production, regardless of the global market. Often, buyers pay a premium for organic, shade-grown or specialty beans. In exchange, growers agree to international monitoring by independent organizations to ensure that no child or slave labor is utilized, and that farming practices are ecologically sound and sustainable. Unlike traditional chocolate, where the link between grower and consumer is uncertain, the positive impact of fair trade on farming communities is clear. On each Alter Eco label the cocoa-producing cooperative is listed by name, so you can identify the origin of the chocolate. Alter Eco Organic Dark Velvet Chocolate is made using cocoa from the El Ceibo Cooperative, a conglomeration of 800 producers in the Bolivian Amazon who work to promote organic farming while ensuring educational opportunities and ample health care for the area's 16,600 residents. Alter Eco Milk Moka Chocolate comes from the Kuaka Kokoo Cooperative in Ghana. Established in 1993, this co-op has 49,000 members. Fair trade pricing has helped build four local schools, found a credit union, and provide new scales and machinery that allow the co-op to be self-sufficient. It may seem like a small thing, but purchasing fair trade products is one of the easiest ways you can help build thriving sustainable communities all around the world. Regardless of whether you're buying it for its decadent flavor or its remarkable social rewards, it's hard to resist the charms of fair trade chocolate.

Weekly Produce Specials


	Bio-dynamic Seedless White Grapes	$2.99 lb super low price	available exclusively at Weaver Street Market from Marian Farms
	New Crop Organic Gala Apples	$1.59 lb	save 60¢ lb
	New Crop Florida Organic Bartlett Pears	$1.59 lb	save 40¢

Weekly Meat & Seafood Specials

	Niman Ranch All Natural Sirloin Steak	$8.99 lb	USDA Choice save $2.00 lb
	Niman Ranch All Natural Petite Sirloin Steak	$8.99 lb	USDA Choice save $2.00 lb
	Fresh, Farm Raised Tilapia	$6.99 lb	save $2.00 lb
Read more about other Weaver Street Market Specials.


Chocolate Specials

Enjoy chocolate with a conscience! Alter Eco Organic Fair Trade Dark Velvet Chocolate - rich cocoa with a touch of milk for a mellifluous melody of chocolate. On sale this month for $2.99 3.5 oz, regularly $3.99. Alter Eco Organic Fair Trade Milk Moka Chocolate - combines smooth milk chocolate and South American coffee beans to create a complex and sophisticated flavor. On sale this month for $2.99 3.5 oz, regularly $3.99.
Learn more about Alter Eco here.

Fair Trade/Cooperatively-made Specials

October is National Fair Trade & Cooperative Month. Look for specials on all our coffees that are fairly traded or cooperatively produced. We'll also have specials on Equal Exchange Fair Trade Coffee, Chocolate Bars, Tea, Almonds, Cranberries and Pecans, along with Alter Eco Chocolate Bars.
Learn more about Equal Exchange here.



Jazz Brunch

Sundays 11 am - 1 pm On the lawn in Carrboro Weaver Street Market's Jazz & More! Brunch continues through October! This family friendly event is a great way to start your Sunday. Inside, we'll have fresh scones, muffins and sweet pastries in our bake case; fresh, hot coffee and a barista to make that special coffee drink; and an array of eggs, grits, pancakes or French Toast to fill you up! Outside, under the oaks, you'll hear a range of local bands playing Jazz, Americana, Blues, and Bluegrass; keeping everybody happy and dancing. Children and well-behaved dogs are welcome. Please keep the children out of the trees and fountain and dogs on leashes. Band schedule: October 14 - Gravvy Boys - American acoustic October 21 - Project Mastana - the world music band next door October 28 - Jeff Brown Quartet - original Jazz - Last Jazz Brunch!
Read more about other Weaver Street Market events here.

4th Annual Fall Wine Sale

Wine Sale: October 5 - 21 Hooray! The fall wine sale is here! WSM Wine Buyer, Peg Todloski, has hunted tirelessly to bring the best selection at the best value to this years' fall wine sale. There are over 40 wines to choose from with classics like Brunello di Montalcino, Champagne, Pinot Noir, Chianti Classico, Prosecco, Cotes du Rhone as well as 5 organic wines. One is sulphite-free as well. This is a great opportunity to stock your cellar with discounts up to 50% off and the 10% regular case discount applies on top of the sale price. This is a "no risk" wine sale - you can taste all these wines at the Southern Village Wine Show this Saturday.
View all sale wines here.

Wine Show: Southern Village

Saturday, October 13, 1:00 - 5:00 pm Under the tents, in front of the store! Come prepared to taste over 40 fine wines from around the world. There will be all your favorites, classics like Brunello di Montalcino, Champagne, Pinot Noir, Chianti Classico, Prosecco, Cotes du Rhone and many more. Try the 5 organic wines we'll have this year. One is sulphite-free. Live music by Saludos Compay! Delicious wines at great prices! Come prepared to shop! With wines up to 50% off and a 10% case discount on top of sale prices, this is your opportunity to stock up. Take home a souvenir glass! Tickets for the Wine Show are $5.00 and may be purchased the day of the show. Proceeds from the Wine Show benefit the Weaver Street Market Cooperative Community Fund.
View all sale wines here.

Wiener Dog Day

Sunday, October 14, 2:30 - 4:30 pm Weaver Street Market in Carrboro This year Wiener Dog Day, an annual fundraiser for Dachshund Rescue of North America, will include obstacle courses, raffles, and a costume contest. Prizes also will be awarded in several categories, including best trick, shortest, oldest, longest, and farthest travelled dachshund. DRNA will also have several local adoptees on site and information about adopting a rescue dachshund. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public, but donations to help support DRNA will be welcome! For more information, or for businesses interested in donating items for prizes and raffles, please contact Melissa Caldwell at 919-923-0390.
Read more about Dachshund Rescue of North America here.

2nd Friday Art Walk

Friday, October 12 6:00 - 9:00pm This is a perfect opportunity for those of you who enjoy art, entertainment and live music! This community gathering event will be taking place in Carrboro and Chapel Hill on Friday evening. Kick off your night at Weaver Street Market in Southern Village with a wine tasting and live music by Shadze from 5:00 - 7:00 pm Admission is free to everyone.
Additional information may be viewed here.

Scrap Exchange at SV

Halloween's Coming! Make your own spooky mask, hat or whole costume with the Scrap Exchange! Saturday, October 27, 11 am - 1 pm at Southern Village Spooky seasonal music, Tricky giant puppets - free fun kid treats!
Learn more about Scrap Exchange here.



Elections!

It's time to elect a new director to the Weaver Street Market board. Look for the ballot box in both Carrboro and Southern Village. Ballots can be found at the voting box, or in the Annual Report. James Morgan and Eliza Dubose are the candidates for the Consumer-Onwer seat. Be sure to vote by 7pm, October 18.
Meet the candidates here.

WSM Annual Meeting

Thursday, October 18 at the Carrboro Century Center 6:30 pm: dinner (provided) 7 - 9:30 pm: Annual Meeting * Engage in lively dinner conversation about the Co-op of the future! * Hear the "State of the Co-op" reports from the General Manager and the Board of Directors! * 2nd Annual Cooperative Community Fund Awards! * Meet the candidates for Board of Directors! * Vote for a candidate for the Board of Directors! * Raffle prizes! See you there!



Last Farm Days of the Year

By Emily Buehler, Contributing Writer Want to get some fresh air before the cold sets in? Want to give a local farm one last bit of support before the harvest time ends? Want to find yourself wishing you'd never seen Children of the Corn? Then stop dreaming about it and head to a corn maze this weekend. Last Sunday I went to the McKee Cornfield Maze at Cedar Creek Farm in Rougemont, just ten miles north of Hillsborough. The ride out on a scenic country road set the mood well for a day on the farm. We turned in when we saw a large painted sign and bumped down the gravel drive, the cornfield towering over us on our right. Mrs. McKee greeted us and told us about the mazes. At the near end of the field is the two-acre children's maze. Along this winding path children will find all the letters of the alphabet, fun facts, colors, and other goodies. The large maze covers 12 acres—aerial photos from previous years showed the tent we stood under as a tiny white square next to the sprawling cornfield. There's an "escape route" along the tree line, for folks who decide they want to quit early. (There are also youngsters roving in the field to give help if needed.) The aerial photos illustrated the artistic nature of the maze: previous designs included a farmer in a field, UNC's Old Well and the clock tower from the Hillsborough courthouse, and a reproduction of a local artist's painting of a log cabin in the woods. As for this year's design? I won't give it away, except to say there's a dead-end in the crook of a knee. After the maze, we got some Mapleview ice cream and sat in the shade at one of a dozen picnic tables. Nearby, families were eating picnic lunches, and children played on a swing set. A donkey, some goats, a bunny, and chickens were in pens in the shade as well, and rows of pumpkins waited to be photographed or purchased. The maze is open on weekends through October. The last weekend, and on Halloween, it transforms into a Haunted Maze after dark. This includes tunnels, fog, strobe lights, and plenty of spooks—all family and friends, Mrs. McKee assured me. It's appropriate for most children over ten. For directions and hours, visit the farm website below. For more on corn mazes, see the article in the October Weaver Street Market newsletter.
Learn more about McKees here.

ArtsCenter Charette

"Expand Your Center...Come Dream with Us" The ArtsCenter to hold Community Event for New Building Project Sunday, October 21 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m The ArtsCenter stands at the threshold of an exciting new opportunity for expansion. For 33 years The ArtsCenter has been a vital part of Orange County, providing artistic, educational and cultural opportunities to all in this community. With the ever-growing population and need for artistic and cultural services, The ArtsCenter has greatly outgrown its current space and is poised to undergo a capital campaign for a new facility. Community involvement and interaction remains the primary focus of The ArtsCenter's services. To that end, TAC will be hosting a community forum. Feedback, Fellowship and the Future are all the focus of this Community Planning Event. The Arts Center staff will share ideas, potential plans, updates and projections, but ideas, goals and needs shared by members of the community will be the most important facet of this event. It is our hope that with active participation, feedback and input the new facility and programming will develop in a way that will continue to serve the community through the arts for years to come.
Learn more about the ArtsCenter here.

CHICLE Cultural Event

"A Home on the Field: How One Championship Team Inspires Hope for the Revival of Small Town America" - Paul Cuadros 101 E Weaver St. 3rd floorCarrboro, NC Sunday, October 14, 2007, 5:00 Free and open to the public A Home on the Field is about faith, loyalty, and trust. It is a parable in the tradition of Stand and Deliver and Hoosiers—a story of one team and their accidental coach who became certain heroes to the whole community. When Paul Cuadros packed his bags and moved south to study the impact of the burgeoning Latino community, he encountered a culture clash between the long-time residents and the newcomers that eventually boiled over into an anti-immigrant rally featuring former Klansman David Duke. It became Paul's goal to show the growing numbers of Latino youth that their lives could be more than the cutting line at the poultry plants, that finishing high school and heading to college could be a reality. He needed to find something that the boys could commit to passionately, knowing that devotion to something bigger than them would be the key to helping the boys find where they fit in the world. The answer was soccer. After an uphill battle, the Jets soccer team at Jordan-Matthews High School was born. Suffering setbacks and heartbreak, the majority Latino team, in only three seasons and against all odds, emerged poised to win the state championship.
Learn more about CHICLE here.

Whimsical Women at SV

The Whimsical Women invite you to their 11th Annual Chapel Hill Fall Sale Saturday, October 20 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Funky art for you, your yard, and home! Great food! Bring your friends and family and come join our whimsical celebration!



Almond Update

The California Almond Board, the USDA, and powerful agribusiness interests have—very quietly—pushed through a new regulatory law that requires all raw domestic almonds to be "pasteurized" using either a toxic and carcinogenic fumigant (propylene oxide) or a steam-heating process to eliminate possible bacterial contamination. Not only will truly raw almonds from California (the only state in the nation that grows the nut) no longer be available, but the industry will engage in a fraudulent and deceptive practice by allowing marketers to continue to label their products as "raw." Even if you are not an avid consumer of raw almonds you need to get involved in this fight! We are now headed down a road where we will see large corporate agribusiness and government, in a rush to create cheaper and cheaper food, regardless of its quality and safety, demand new laws that will require virtually all of our fresh food to be pasteurized, fumigated, irradiated, or otherwise sanitized. Farmers, consumers, retailers, healthcare practitioners, and others who want to protect the future availability of fresh and nutritious foods need to draw a line in the sand right now! The Cornucopia Institute is mobilizing consumer, farmer and retailer opposition to the almond pasteurization plan and they have a wealth of details on their web page at www.cornucopia.org - click on the Authentic Almond Project link. We also want to call your attention to the attachment accompanying this note. Please take a few moments to print out and sign the letter, then mail back to Cornucopia. The letter will be hand delivered to key officials in Washington by Cornucopia and will give them the moral authority to advocate on your behalf for truly fresh and nutritious foods. This type of action has been effectively used by Cornucopia in the past to leverage political power. We urge you to join with this campaign! If this pressure-campaign at the USDA does not prove successful Cornucopia is prepared to go to court to protect the rights of family-scale almond producers and their customers.
Read and print the Almond letter here.
Learn more about Cornucopia Institute here.


Italian Wine Dinner

Monday, October 22, 7:00-9:30pm Italy is one of the most viticulturally diverse wine producing countries in the world. It has over 20 different wine growing regions and produces grapes from over 2000 different varieties. Each individual region and town in Italy has a wine style all its own, with native grape varieties that you don't find anywhere else. Its geography alone is an indication of the diverse styles of wines Italy produces, ranging from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea. Italy has wine regions nestled into mountainsides and hidden around every corner. Ever wonder what wines the locals are drinking when you travel to the small towns of Italy? Well, join us Monday, October 22 at Panzanella and find out! Mike Tiano, of the Haw River Wine Man, will take us on a tasting tour of some unique Italian wines. Enjoy six different wines from diverse regions of Italy and plenty of delicious food prepared by Panzanella's Chef Chris Capron to complement these wonderful wines. The cost of this event is $45 per person; space is limited, so reserve early. Please pay in advance and pick up a ticket for this tasting at either Panzanella or the customer service desk at Weaver Street Market in Carrboro.
Visit Panzanella's website to view all menus (lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch).
Sign up for Panzanella's Enewsletter here.

November Wine Dinner

Wines of Burgundy Monday, November 12 7:00 - 9:30 pm Join us Monday, November 12 for a tasting tour of France's premier wine producing region, Burgundy. Burgundy produces some of the most prestigious Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in the world. These are wines with centuries of history and a sense of place, or "terroir." If you're looking for subtlety and grace in your wines, then this tasting is perfect for you! Above all, this will be an evening filled with wonderful wines from one of the most fascinating and complex regions in the world. Tickets will be on sale soon!

Special Desserts

To celebrate National Fair Trade and Cooperative Month, Panzanella is offering a Fair Trade and Cooperatively-Made Desserts menu. Look for these luscious creations at Panzanella later this week!