2007 Press Releases
Grant enables Earth Day Network to offer organic t-shirts
Contacts:
Barbara Haumann, Organic Trade Association, 413-774-7511, Ext. 20, bhaumann@ota.com
Laurie Howell, Earth Day Network, 202-518-0044, Howell@earthday.net)
GREENFIELD, Massachusetts (March 1, 2007): The Organic Trade Association (OTA), through the generosity of the Martin Fabert Foundation of Seattle, WA, is supporting the Earth Day Network as it transitions its promotional t-shirts from conventional to organic cotton.
For the past two years, the Martin Fabert Foundation has provided funds to the Organic Fiber Transition Project implemented by OTA to encourage non-profit organizations to purchase organic cotton t-shirts in lieu of conventionally grown cotton t-shirts for fundraising and promotional programs. The grant is designed to help non-profits cover the differences in cost between organic and conventional cotton t-shirts without taking a financial risk. The organic cotton and shirts must be grown and sewn in North America.
For the 2005-2006 funding year, Earth Day Network received $6,000 to produce 3,000 organic t-shirts. The previous funding year, it received $6,000 to produce 2,000 organic t-shirts. Part of Earth Day Network's "Building Green Consumers" initiative, the organic t-shirts are being sold on its web site and given away as gifts to partners and donors not only for Earth Day in April but throughout the year as part of Earth Day Network's effort to make "Every Day Earth Day".
"OTA is excited that Earth Day Network has chosen to become one of the leaders in this effort to use organic cotton, which, at the same time, increases U.S. organic cotton production and continues to improve our environment. OTA is pleased that Martin Fabert Foundation has chosen to increase access to organic cotton and help grow the domestic market for organic cotton farmers," said Caren Wilcox, OTA's Executive Director.
"We're very pleased and grateful to have been chosen for this grant because promoting organic products falls under our mission of green consumer activism, and the organic Earth Day t-shirts symbolize our firm commitment to that mission," said Earth Day President Kathleen Rogers.
The mission of the Organic Trade Association is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy. OTA envisions organic products becoming a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people's lives and the environment. As a membership-based business association, OTA focuses on the organic business community in North America. OTA's nearly 1,600 members include farmers, processors, importers, exporters, distributors, retailers, certifiers, and more. For further information, visit OTA's web site at www.ota.com.
Earth Day Network, www.earthday.net, seeks to grow and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable planet. We pursue these goals through education, politics, cultural events, and consumer activism. Our current grassroots programs include the Climate Change Solutions Campaign, Campaign for Communities, and the National Civic Education Project. Earth Day Network works with more than 105,000 K-12 teachers in the United States alone. In 2006, EDN launched Earth Day Network Television, www.earthdaynetwork.tv, greatly expanding its reach to a global network of more than 15,000 partners and organizations in 174 countries. More than 500 million people participate in Earth Day civic activities, making it the largest secular civic event in the world. The 37th Earth Day will be celebrated on April 22, 2007.
