For Immediate Release
August 5, 2011
PORTLAND, Ore. — Upwards of a hundred people attended the Oregon Fair Trade Campaign’s first-ever “Fair Trade Chocolate & Northwest Beer Fest” last night at the Record Room in east Portland. At the event, fair trade supporters sampled Northwest craft beers paired with unusual fair trade chocolates from Equal Exchange, and then voted for their favorites. The popular vote for the best pairing of the evening was Ambacht’s Golden Farmhouse Ale with Equal Exchange’s Organic Chocolate Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt. BridgePort and Ninkasi also generously donated beer for the event, with complimentary hors d’oeuvres from Accento and Genoa.
“This was by far the most delicious fundraiser we’ve ever held. People were able to show their love for ORFTC and their tastebuds at the same time,” said Kari Koch, President of the Oregon Fair Trade Campaign. “This was our first beer and chocolate pairing, and based on the money raised and all the accolades we received, I’m hopeful it will become an annual event. I can’t thank our beer, chocolate and appetizer donors enough — and the Record Room for hosting us in such an absolute perfect setting.”
The event was organized entirely by ORFTC volunteers, including Koch, Daniel Bonham and Alexis Ball. Space was donated by the Record Room, with music from DJ Mr. Loney Vato.
Ambacht’s Golden Farmhouse Ale with Equal Exchange’s Organic Chocolate Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt was the most popular pairing of the night. Other pairings included BridgePort’s Stumptown Tart Ale with Equal Exchange’s Organic Ecuador Dark Chocolate, Ninkasi’s Spring Reign Ale with Equal Exchange’s Organic Orange Dark Chocolate and Ambacht’s Golden Rye Farmhouse Ale with Equal Exchange’s Organic Panama Extra Dark Chocolate.
“The best pairing of the evening was between local businesses and the Oregon Fair Trade Campaign,” said Daniel Bonham, ORFTC’s Secretary-Treasurer. “We deeply appreciate all the support we received from the Record Room, Equal Exchange, Ambacht, BridgePort, Ninkasi, Accento and Genoa. It’s helped to advance our mission of promoting fair trade policies that create healthy economies at home and abroad.”
Photos from the fundraiser are now online at www.facebook.com/oregonfairtrade.
The Oregon Fair Trade Campaign is a statewide coalition of labor, environmental and human rights organizations working together to promote trade policies that: prioritize quality jobs in communities across the state; create markets for Oregon products by raising living standards in neighboring countries; enforce consistent standards for labor and the environment across borders; and allow local producers to compete on a level playing field. For more information, please visit www.oregonfairtrade.org.