Links of interest

At Ludgate Farms, in addition to healthy food, we make a special effort to support ecological, environmental, and socially responsible organizations - like the shade grown organic Fair Trade coffee. Here are a few interesting links we've assembled from our web surfing and real life food purchasing experiences. Tell us if you have other ideas. Scroll down for interesting links ...

Coffee Brands we stock: In addition to locally roasted organic fairly traded beans delivered twice weekly from a neighborhood roaster, we have these organic coffees: Equal Exchange (Fair Trade and Organic). Avalon (Organic) and Jim's (Organic). Speaking of Coffee, here is a cute link :-) http://www.delocator.net/

We also stock organic and fairly traded chocolate and gift items.

Organic Consumers Association

"The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) promotes food safety, organic farming and sustainable agriculture practices in the U.S. and internationally. We provide consumers with factual information they can use to make informed food choices. Genetic engineering, irradiation, toxic sludge fertilizer, mad cow disease, and rBGH are some of the issues we address. The OCA gives interviews and supplies background material for journalists, news organizations, and public interest activists worldwide. Our campaign strategies include public education, activist networking, boycotts and protests, grassroots lobbying, media and public relations, and litigation. We publish one print newsletter (Organic View) and two electronic newsletters (BioDemocracy News and Organic Bytes). The OCA's National Director is Ronnie Cummins. "

Fair Trade Certified

"Fair Trade is an innovative, market-based approach to sustainable development. Fair Trade helps family farmers in developing countries to gain direct access to international markets, as well as to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace. By learning how to market their own harvests, Fair Trade farmers are able to bootstrap their own businesses and receive a fair price for their products. This leads to higher family living standards, thriving communities and more sustainable farming practices. Fair Trade empowers farming families to take care of themselves - without developing dependency on foreign aid. "

Ithaca Fair Trade Coalition

The Ithaca Fair Trade Coalition (IFTC), founded in May 2003, is a project of the Committee on US-Latin American Relations (CUSLAR), the Ithaca Ten Thousand Villages Store, the Tompkins County Living Wage Coalition, and other interested individuals.

Make Trade Fair

"Before you've finished your breakfast this morning, you'll have relied on half the world"
- Martin Luther King

An interesting thought. And a depressing one, when you realise that those people you've relied on for your coffee and muesli are almost certainly being exploited and oppressed by the unfair power balance in world trade. But what can you do? Surely it's beyond your control? Wrong. You can buy Fair Trade products"

The Cancer Prevention Coalition

"The Cancer Prevention Coalition (CPC), which opened its national office in Chicago in July 1994, is a unique nationwide coalition of leading independent experts in cancer prevention and public health, together with citizen activists and representatives of organized labor, public interest, environmental, and women's health groups. The Coalition has about 100 local offices in the U.S., as well as international offices. Our goal is to reduce escalating cancer rates through a comprehensive strategy of outreach, public education, advocacy, and public policy initiatives to establish prevention as the nation's foremost cancer policy. "

The Songbird Foundation

"Many of the birds populating North America each summer spend their winters in 'Coffee Country' in Northern Latin America. Traditional coffee plantations provide some of the last remaining forests of this region, providing essential habitat for the birds. Hummingbirds, swallows, warblers, orioles, tanagers and other native and migratory birds find a safe haven in the remaining forests of shade coffee plantations. Studies in Colombia and Mexico found 94-97% fewer bird species in "sun grown" coffee plantations than in "shade grown" coffee. Most birds find food and shelter in the canopy of the shade coffee plantations, while there is very little food and shelter in sun grown coffee plantations."

Zoe Foods

• Zoe Foods wants to make a difference in your life with foods you enjoy eating and that are also good for you. We are committed to developing natural, wholesome foods that nourish your body and spirit.
  
  
• Zoe Flax & Soy Bars and Granola cereal are delicious and nutritious foods for a healthy and active lifestyle.
  
  
• Explore our site to find out why. . .
  - Ground flaxseed is good for overall health and wellness.
  - Soy protein is energy for the heart and soul.
  - Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid for men and women.