City and county governments have within their powers the chance to pass a Purchasing Restriction to ensure that local governments purchase only Fair Trade Certified coffee. This gives us a unique opportunity to use Fair Trade Certified coffee as a networking tool to build coalitions with others working on similar issues while we educate the wider community about Fair Trade Certified coffee. Global Exchange and TransFair USA can support you through this process with the necessary materials and strategy suggestions.

The key benefits of introducing (and hopefully passing) a purchasing restriction are to:

• build local elected official involvement on fair trade issues,
• generate local press about the importance of Fair Trade Certified coffee,
• spark a discussion in your community about Fair Trade Certified coffee,
• build prestige for Fair Trade Certified coffee which can assist your overall campaign,
• increase the volume of Fair Trade Certified coffee marketed in your area.

Each city/county council will have their own unique procedures for adopting resolutions, but the following steps will guide you through the process generally.

1. Form a local coalition. The merit of your purchasing restriction will inevitably be judged by the strength and breadth of your coalition. Before contacting your council, identify key activists and leaders in your community from labor unions, environmental groups, churches, human rights organizations, women's groups etc., and ask them to endorse the purchasing restriction.

2. Identify sympathetic council members to introduce and promote the purchasing restriction. Once you have enlisted the support of one or two council members, they can familiarize you with the exact procedure and appropriate strategy for passing the restriction.

3. Offer support to the Council Member(s). Share sample purchasing restrictions from other councils and provide necessary support in drafting the final language. Keep your council aware of restrictions introduced or passed in other communities such as Berkeley and Oakland by checking in with our office.

4. Lobby City/County Council Members. Using a concise cover letter and materials that identify the wide environmental, social justice and labor issues involved, personally contact each council member and urge their support. Work with your coalition to develop these materials then hand deliver packets of Fair Trade information to City Hall, mail to their addresses, and follow-up with additional calls.

5. Keep the local press informed. As stated earlier, generating local press is a critical benefit of the purchasing restriction. At every stage of the process (introduction, debate & vote) send media advisories to local newsprint and radio. The greater the debate, the better the coverage!

6. Attend all council meetings. From the moment of introduction to the time for vote, make sure your coalition turns out crowds of supports who can speak on behalf of the purchasing restriction. It is especially helpful to recruit local experts and businesspeople who can speak on behalf of the purchasing restriction. Embrace every opportunity to raise the debate!

7. Forward all clips to state and federal representatives! Send all local clips by fax or mail to your local state rep, Congress member and Senators. This will make them aware that people in your community are concerned about the broad impacts Fair Trade Certified coffee.

8. Organize a press conference or event. When your council successfully passes the restriction, organize a press conference with council members. Have a ceremony when the first cup of Fair Trade Certified coffee is poured in City Hall - it's a newsworthy event!