Family Farm Defenders and Cedar Grove Cheese launched a fair trade cheese project in 1996 to provide fair wages to local dairy farmers. Currently, 34 farm families receive $30-35 per 100 pounds of milk. For every pound of fair trade cheese sold, $3-3.50 goes directly to farmers. Consumers can purchase cheese knowing the milk comes from local, ethical family farms. Workers also receive living wages and benefits. The project aims to support small farms and ensure humane, sustainable farming practices.

1. Family Farm
Defenders
Fair Trade Cheese
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.
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.
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 $30/100# for rBGH-
free milk and $35/100# for grassfed/organic milk. So, 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 is certified rBGH-free or organic, comes only from Wisconsin,
and is clearly labeled. 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. Cheese makers
receive a living wage, as well as healthcare, dental, and other benefits.
Humane Farming: The dairy cows are all given routine pasture access, not injected with bovine
growth hormone or force-fed Mad Cow associated feed.
Environmental Protection: Family farmers who supply to Cedar Grove strive to use sustainable
practices that conserve soil, protect water, and maintain biodiversity.
The Following Cheese Varieties Are Examples of What is Currently Available:
Price/Pound Cheese Type Price/Pound
$5.00 Organic Tomato Basil $8.00
$5.00 Organic Cheddar $8.00
$6.00 Organic Munster $8.00
For more information and to order Fair Trade Cheese, please visit www.familyfarmdefenders.org.

2. Established in 2007, Midcoast Fishermen's Association created the first Community Supported Fishery
program in New England. The Port Clyde CSF began by delivering shrimp. The pilot proved so
successful that in the spring of 2008, the Port Clyde community expanded their CSF beyond shrimp.
Today, this program delivers fresh, Maine caught shrimp and groundfish to several different locations
throughout their local community. In addition, the Midcoast Fishermen's Coop has opened a processing
center where they pick shrimp and will soon start filleting fish. When most people's food travels about
1800 miles to get to them, people who buy Port Clyde Fresh Catch seafood - or seafood from any CSF
- will know exactly where it comes from. The local wild-caught fish they purchase has traveled only a
few miles before reaching their plates, restaurants and other outlets. It’s a fresh, preservative-free
product of the highest quality, caught in an environmentally conscious manner and handled with
extreme care.
Would you like to enjoy delicious, fresh shrimp this winter?
CSF shrimp subscription pricing (3 lb minimum order per week): Whole, raw shrimp: $1.30/lb Whole
cooked shrimp: $1.80/lb Raw picked shrimp meat: $5/lb Cooked picked shrimp meat: $5.80/lb
Whole Fish Subscription Options (cleaned and packed on ice)
Half-share: 4-6 pounds of whole fish per week (1.5-2 pounds of fish after filleting) $180
Full share: 8-12 pounds of whole fish per week (3-4 pounds of fish after filleting) $360
Whole fish CSF subscriptions cost approximately $3 per pound.
Prefer filleted fish?
Half-share: 1.5 - 2.5 pounds of fillets per week $238
Full share: 3.5 - 4.5 pounds of fillets per week $476
Filleted fish CSF subscriptions cost approximately $8.5 per pound
To order Port Clyde Fresh Catch, contact Jessica at jessica@midcoastfishemen.org or 207- 975-2191.
For more information about the Port Clyde Community Supported Fishery, contact Kim Libby at 207-
593-6808. Visit the Midcoast Fishermen's Cooperative at www.portclydefreshcatch.com.
For a list of Community Supported Fisheries in New England and how to start one, please visit the
Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance's at www.namanet.org.