Global Village leads fair trade movement
Many have grey hair and don't pass as trendsetters. But the original volunteers at Global Village were ahead of the wave when it came to ethical purchasing 18 years ago. Their approach was simple: Pay Third World artisans a fair price for products; sell the crafts out of a storefront; and return profits to the Third World by way of grants. This Friday and Saturday, an Ethical Purchasing Forum is being held at the University of Victoria. Its goal is to move ethical purchasing beyond the cup of coffee and into institutions.

Growers Help Food Banks
During the month of February, for every person who signs up for Peak of the Market's free recipe e-mails, Peak of the Market growers will donate 50 pounds of fresh vegetables to Winnipeg Harvest. Peak of the Market is a "not for profit" grower owned vegetable
co-operative.

Car free and carefree
Erik Kaye and Nancy Singh have professional jobs, a centrally located house and a darling baby boy. What do they drive? A 2002 Honda Civic that he walks 20 minutes to pick up at Monterey Centre in Oak Bay. They don't want to bother with the trouble and expense of owning a car, but they like the convenience of getting behind the wheel when they want to. Kaye will swing home, pick up the family and off they go on a $20 drive-around doing grocery shopping, furniture pickup or whatever else comes to mind.

Workshop helps non-profits
A social enterprise workshop coming to Nanaimo on Tuesday, Feb. 27 could open important doors for non-profit organizations in the area. The workshop will explain how non-profits can combine their social mission with entrepreneurism, by running their own business ventures. Nanaimo’s estimated 800 non-profits should take a serious look at the idea, says Kevin Douville, of Community Futures (Central Island), one of the event’s co-sponsors along with Mid-Island Co-op and the Centre for Community Enterprise.

Desjardins Unveils Winners of Desjardins Young Entrepreneur Prizes
Nutrableu of Normandin, Groupe COMU Ltée of Sherbrooke and Laboratoires Mauves inc. of Vaudreuil are the big winners of the Desjardins Young Entrepreneur Prizes, offered in collaboration with Fondation Desjardins. These prestigious prizes, each worth $40,000, highlight the creativity and success of young business people who actively contribute to job creation.