Fair Trade Group Hosts Non-Profit Founder, President

The Fair Trade Teaneck Steering Committee will host guest speaker Joan Shifrin, co-founder and co-president of Global Goods Partners, at their next meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 7:30 p.m., at the Teaneck General Store, located at 502A Cedar Lane. 

Shifrin will speak about Fair Trade, sustainability, and product development, according to the committee.

Global Goods Partners is a nonprofit organization that sells handmade, Fair Trade products in an effort to improve the economic status of women in marginalized communities around the world. The organization works with nearly 40 artisan groups which collectively employ over 3,000 women in close to 20 countries.

Shifrin co-founded Global Goods Partners with Catherine Shimony in 2005 after serving as the Director of Education and Outreach at the Global Fund for Children, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit organization that supports community-based education groups which expand opportunities for young people around the world, according to a release from the committee.

In 2010, Shifrin was awarded the Hidden Heroes Award by the Andrew Goodman Foundation. This award honors ordinary individuals engaged in extraordinary action for a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world.

Following Shifirin’s presentation, the committee will discuss plans for upcoming events, including the celebration of World Fair Trade Day in May.

The meeting is open to the public and newcomers are encouraged to check out the meeting to learn more about Fair Trade Teaneck, according to the committee.