Greenfield businesses band together

GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Greenfield business owners are banding together to bring Fair Trade Products, and hopefully more business to the area. Fair Trade Greenfield, an organization comprised of local businesses say they're trying to get the town Fair Trade Certified.

11 businesses have already signed on, they just need a few more, and for the town to make a non-binding resolution on fair trade. They're also hoping it will help them bring more business to the area.

Darren Pierce owner of Pierce Bothers Coffee Roasters says his business first went fair trade when one of his best suppliers went under.

"How can we make sure the farms don't start falling off like fly's because we want to be able to support the farmers," says Pierce.

Fair Trade products are things like coffee, bananas, even crafts that come from 3rd world countries in places like South America.

Being fair trade certified insures that the producers of say, this coffee weren't taken advantage of.

Alan Sax, owner of Bart's Cafe, and organizer of the Greenfield fair trade group says its not only about being good global citizens but it can encourage people to buy local.

"It think its another reason for people to come to downtown Greenfield. We're building a fair trade town here, I think people care," says Sax

For this idea to work residents have to be motivated to buy fair trade products.

"I'm not completely there yet but I do tend to buy fair trade if I can," says Nancy Bordewick of Bernardston.

"Its something I just don't think about," says Gerald Kendrick.

Some consumers say they need more education before they start changing their buying habits.

"I'm not really aware of it when I go out and shop but if you bring my attention to it," says Kevin Kestyn.

The group is also hoping to raise awareness for fair trade by becoming certified.

Here are the businesses that have signed on so far:

• Le Petite Cafe
• Bart's Cafe of Greenfield
• Peoples Pint
• Big Y
• Fosters
• Greenfields Market
• Greenfield Garden Cinema
• Stoneleigh Burnham School
• Greenfield Community College (Cafe Acedemia)
• Hope and Olive
• Greenfield Grille

Organizers are working to get more on board soon.