Penncrest First Fair Trade Public High School in Country

Media was the first Fair Trade town in the country, so logicially would follow suit and become the first Fair Trade public high school in the country, too.

unanmiously approved the Fair Trade declaration at its meeting Thursday night.

Fair Trade is a nonprofit focused on helping farmers in developing countries bring their goods to developed countries so they can build a sustainable business, according to the Fair Trade USA website.

The Penncrest Fair Trade declaration means they will provide fair trade products, such as coffee, tea, sugar and cocoa, whenever possible as an option in the cafeteria and at other events.

Penncrest is also committed to raising awareness among students, faculty and staff of Fair Trade principles. The Penncrest Interact Club, under the direction of Mike LoBiondo, is the organization that will be overseeing and supporting Fair Trade events.

Jeff Cadorette, member of the Media business and Fair Trade community, said Fair Trade is a new economic model. There are more than 1,074 Fair Trade towns worldwide, in 23 countries.

"Media, Pennsylvania has the distinction of being the first Fair Trade town in the United States," Cadorette said. "Others have followed but Media will forever be the first."

Thursday's declaration marked the first Fair Trade public high school in the United States.

"That is here. That is us. That is Penncrest," Cadorette said. "Others will follow and one day there will be hundreds of Fair Trade high schools across our country but Penncrest will forever be the first. The ripple affects of this accomplishment will now unfold."

He said there will be teachable moments of bringing Fair Trade to Penncrest as well, like economics, commerce, world trade, language and history.

The board of directors also accepted two donations to the district. donated a set of volleyball poles and a net, valued at about $3,000 and an anonymous donor gave the Penncrest football team jerseys, valued at about $5,000.

School Board of Directors President Linda Kinsler-Fox said both donations are greatly appreciated and the board sends their gratitude to the donors and those who helped to make it happen.