In contrast to free trade, fair trade is a system in which social justice is a key part of the relationship between producers and consumers. For family farmers who believe in stewarding the land, respecting animals, providing healthy wholesome nutritious food, and building an equitable democratic society this concept just makes common sense.
Unfortunately, the current industrial agribusiness system does not make this better world possible. Half of Wisconsins family dairy farms have disappeared in the last fifteen years and there are now just 14,000 left. A handful of powerful corporations control the milk market, manipulating prices through Chicago traders. Taxpayer subsidized expansion of factory farms is leading to horrific abuse of animals and workers, as well as unprecedented safety threats to consumers.
Domestic Fair Trade for Struggling Dairy Farmers
Many people are familiar with fair trade in the context of imported products such as coffee, tea or cocoa, but why not apply these principles of economic justice at home? In 1996 Family Farm Defenders joined with Cedar Grove Cheese to launch our Family Farmer Fair Trade Cheese project, and a decade later our direct market sales are providing $20,000 annually in fair trade income to local dairy farmers. In 2007 Cedar Grove Cheese also became the first certified Midwest food handler under the Food Alliance program based in the Twin Cities. Thirteen of the family farms that supply raw milk to Cedar Grove have also been certified by the Food Alliance in recognition of their environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices. For more information on the Food Alliance, visit: www.foodalliance.org or call #651-265-3682.
How do Farmers, Consumers, Cheese Makers, Dairy Cows, and Nature All Benefit?
- Parity Pricing
- There are 34 farm families involved in the project each receiving a parity price (cost of production plus a fair profit) - $30/100# for rBGH-free milk and $35/100# for grassfed/organic milk - well above conventional milk prices. This means that for every pound of Family Farmer cheese sold, $3.00 - $3.50 goes directly to the farmer for their hard work.
- Consumer Sovereignty
- All the milk processed at Cedar Grove Cheese is certified rBGH-free or organic, comes only from Wisconsin, and is clearly labeled as such. Consumers can know with confidence that the family farmer milk behind the cheese is fresh, local, and healthy.
- Workers Rights
- Cedar Grove Cheese is a respected 100 year old family-run business, increasingly rare in this era of corporate consolidation. Cheese makers receive a living wage (ranging from $7.00 - $14.00 per hour, depending upon experience and seniority), as well as healthcare, dental, and other benefits.
- Humane Farming
- Dairy cows who produce the milk are all given routine pasture access, not injected with synthetic bovine growth hormone (rBGH) or forcefed Mad Cow materials (bovine plasma, poultry manure, plate waste, tallow/lard, bone meal), and as a result enjoy longer healthier lives than cows on factory farms. Cedar Grove also uses only kosher-approved vegetable-derived enzymes for its cheeses.
- Environmental Protection
- Family farmers who supply to Cedar Grove strive to use sustainable practices that conserve soil, protect water, and maintain biodiversity. Cedar Grove Cheese is also an ecological leader in the dairy industry with its innovative living machine water treatment system.
Where Can One Find Family Farmer Fair Trade Cheese?
One can find Family Farmer Cheese at Madison's Eastside Farmers Market (Tues. 4-7 pm at Ingersoll & Wilson from May - Oct.), at Cedar Grove Cheese in Plain, WI, at the Family Farm Defenders Office (1019 Williamson St. #B in Madison, WI), and at Common Ground Food Co-op in Champaign/Urbana, IL, as well as by mail order over the phone and via the internet. Family Farmer Cheese is also available for use by school groups in fair trade fundraising efforts call #608-260-0900 for details.
The following cheese varieties are now available:
Cheese Type.....Price/pound:
Mild Cheddar
.
5.00
Colby
.
..5.00
Marble Colby
..5.00
Monterey Jack
....5.00
Farmers
.
..5.00
Reduced Fat Cheddar
.
...5.00
Reduced Fat Colby
.
5.00
Mozzarella
.
.5.00
Muenster
.
6.00
Butterkase
.
..6.00
Havarti
6.00
Medium Cheddar
..6.00
Garlic Dill
.
..6.00
Jalapeno Pepper Jack
....6.00
Tomato Basil
.
..6.00
Provolone
...
7.00
Sharp Cheddar
.
..7.00
Extra Sharp Cheddar
.
....7.00
Swiss
.
...7.00
Smoked Cheddar
....7.00
Smoked Swiss
.7.00
Organic Pepper Jack
.
.
8.00
Organic Tomato Basil
.
....8.00
Organic Colby
8.00
Organic Farmers
.8.00
Organic Monterey Jack
..8.00
Organic Mozzarella
...8.00
Organic Muenster
..8.00
Organic Mild Cheddar
.......8.00
Organic Medium Cheddar
8.00
Organic Sharp Cheddar
.....8.00
Organic Unpasteurized Cheddar
..8.00
Grassfed Unpasteurized Cheddar (in season only)
.10.00
Five Year Extra Sharp Cheddar
.
10.00
We ship all our cheese USPS Priority Mail with a 2-3 day delivery.
Postage and handling for 1 lb. = $4.80, 2 lbs = $6.80, 3 lbs = $8.75, 4-15 lbs = $9.80. Don't forget to include shipping costs in your check for any cheese orders!
For a printable mail order form, check here
In order to help expand the concept of fair trade into the realm of local food, Family Farm Defenders is also proud to offer several other fair trade food items from the Midwest and around the globe.
Other Family Farm Defender Fair Trade and Local Food Items
$1.50 1.5 oz. small bar Divine Chocolate (Ghana) Two varieties: dark chocolate, milk chocolate
$2.50 - 8 oz. plastic bottle Kickapoo Honey (Wisconsin)
$3.00 6.5 oz. plastic bottle Honey Acres Mustard (Wisconsin) Two kinds: honey hot, honey dill
$3.00 1 lb. bag K & K Tiny But Mighty Popcorn (Iowa)
$3.00 - 3.5 oz. large bar Divine Chocolate (Ghana) Six varieties: dark, milk, hazelnut, mint, white, and fruit & nut chocolate
$3.00 - 12 oz. plastic bottle Rasmussen Family honey (Wisconsin)
$4.00 1 lb. bag Natures Bakery Organic Six Grain Granola (Wisconsin)
$4.00 - 5 oz. bag of Potters' Crackers (Wisconsin) Many kinds: Cheddar and Mustard, Basil and Walnut Pesto, Cranberry Wild Rice, among others
$5.00 2 lb. bag Pauls Grains Pancake/Waffle Mix (Iowa)
$5.00 - 5 oz bag dried sweetened organic cranberries (Wisconsin)
$6.00 1/2 lb. bag White Earth Hand Harvested Wild Rice (Minnesota)
$6.00 100 ml glass bottle Bauer Family Maple Syrup (Wisconsin)
$8.00 - 12 oz. bison/cranberry sausage Cherokee Bison Farm (Wisconsin)
$8.00 - 12 oz. bag 100% fair trade Just Coffee beans (many types)
$8.00 - 12 oz. grassfed beef sausage Cates Family Farm (Wisconsin)
$8.00 12 oz. bag 100% fair trade Just Coffee beans (many types)
$10.00 - 250 ml glass bottle Bauer Family Maple Syrup (Wisconsin)
$10.00 1 lb bag White Earth Hand Harvested Wild Rice (Minnesota)
$15.00 500 ml bottle Holy Land Olive Oil (Palestine)
If you need a larger quantity, please call (#608-260-0900) to discuss wholesale discount prices and alternative shipping options. Our line of fair trade cheeses and other items are also available at reduced rates for school fundraising and other nonprofit activities - please contact us for more details.
You can either email (familyfarmdefenders@yahoo.com), fax (#608-260-0900), or mail your order to: FFD, PO Box 1772, Madison, WI 53701. Thanks for your support!
