I’ve been working in Culinary Arts at MPTC since 2014 as an Instructional Aide. In my position I order food and supplies for the students and the department, in general. From the very beginning I have been considering our ‘single use’ containers; so many were going out the door as we sold our Culinary Creations or when Community Classes took their food home!

I kept thinking:

• Are the containers safe to microwave? We know people are going home and reheating the food in that plastic container.
• Are the containers being disposed of properly?  We actually had complaints that our labeled containers were blowing around someone’s yard! 
• Are the containers reusable, compostable, recyclable?

Since 2006, MPTC has been composting food scraps; first in the MPTC Garden and currently, an area chicken farmer picks up the scraps to feed his brood.

In 2015 MPTC earned the designation (and distinction) of becoming the first Fair Trade Technical College in America thanks, in large part, to the work and determination of Anne Lemke, MPTC Experiential Learning Coordinator.

I was inspired to work toward a Diversity Certificate by Anne’s commitment and all of the Fair Trade Principles, in particular the 10^th Fair Trade Principle of Respecting the Environment, incorporating our disposable containers.

All of these thoughts churned in my brain so finally I made the move! I said to the instructors, “We’re going to make a change in our packaging.” I started ordering paper (recyclable and compostable) take-out containers instead of the plastic, hinged containers.  I ordered paper bags to carry items home versus the plastic “Thank You” bags that are not compostable. I verified that the plastic containers that we use are microwave oven safe.

Along the way I’ve realized a willingness by staff and the public to get on board with the changes. In addition, there’s been a cost savings to the department. We have seen a 15% drop in the money spent on these items. The money saved goes toward needed supplies for our students and instructors and all because of the Fair Trade Principle of Respecting the Environment!

This past March Anne attended a Fair Trade Conference in Chicago and shared her favorite quote from the Conference. It’s important to share and the quote imparts how I feel about the changes in the Culinary Department: “…at the heart of Fair Trade is the dignity of all people. How are we living our values? How are we showing up? …Be curious. Find out. Do something.”

I hope that we all consider, share, and show up when it comes to choices as they affect our environment. We don’t have to start a movement but we can all take and learn little bits of information to participate in respecting each other and our world.

Please take a look at the websites that provide area recycling programs and Fair Trade information.

World Fair Trade Organization
One Plastic Bag, Earth Day Facts
Fond du Lac Extension Area Recycling
Waste Management Recycling Services

Come to our displays at each campus cafeteria between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Beaver Dam – April 8, West Bend – April 15 and Fond du Lac – April 22nd – EARTH DAY! Be Inspired!

morainepark.edu

From March 1-3, Moraine Park Fair Trade College Experiential Learning Coordinator, Anne Lemke,  and Moraine Park Communications Manager, Judy Urben, together with Kathy Strong Langolf and Gil Castaneda from UW Fond du Lac Fair Trade University Team, and Julia Cartwright from Just Fare Market  and FDL Fair Trade Town had the privilege to attend the 2019 Fair Trade Campaigns National Conference in Chicago

The energy, the passion, the experiences, and learning together with over 450 students and staff from across the U.S. was truly inspiring!  We are so proud to be a Fair Trade College and part of the team leading these change agent efforts and helping improve lives!  Click here to see all the conference photos.

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

Did you know Moraine Park is a Fair Trade College?  Actually we are the first Fair Trade technical college in the U.S.  Way to go MPTC!  In May, 2018 we celebrated 3 years as a Fair Trade college!

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Some MPTC Fair Trade Team members showing off their new Alta Gracia Apparel. From left to right, Max, Kevin Rodriguez, Anne Lemke, Melissa Schmidt and Hans Baierl

Did you know you can “Maximus” your impact on people and the planet by being a conscious consumer?

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We don’t often stop to think about where chocolate comes from, nor do we think about the farmers that grow and harvest cocoa beans to make the chocolate that we enjoy. The health news on chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is quite positive, and allows some guilt-free pleasure, after all! But not all chocolate is created equal, and educating students and staff about the differences in cocoa (also called cacao) bean farming was the end goal of the Fair Trade My Valentine event held on February 13th on all Moraine Park Technical College campuses.
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Did you ever say to yourself, “Wow what a small world it is!”?  Did you ever wonder what the power of partnerships and collaboration could do?  That was never more evident than with this very special thank you note and beautiful photos all the way from Kathmandu, Nepal to Fond du Lac, WI that arrived just after Christmas Break.
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October is Fair Trade month and to help raise awareness MPTC and 3 other area colleges have teamed up to present a month of film screenings.

• UW-Oshkosh kick starts the month on Oct. 2 with the “Dark Side of Chocolate” from 6 to 9 pm in the Sage 1214.
• UW-FDL will show “Unravel” on Oct. 3 at 12:30 pm followed by a Wellness Tea Tasting in room UC-114.
• Marian University will show “Connected by Coffee” on Oct. 5 from 7 to 9:30 pm in the Stayer Center Auditorium.
• UW-Oshkosh presents “True Cost” on Oct. 10 from 6 to 9 pm in the Sage 1214
• Marian will show “True Cost” film on Oct. 16 from 7 to 9:30 pm in the Stayer Center.
• UW-FDL will screen “Connected by Coffee” on Oct. 19 at 12:30 pm in UC-114
• UW-Oshkosh will show “Connected by Coffee” on Oct. 24 from 6 to 9 pm in the Sage 4232
• UW Oshkosh will show “Immokalee, USA” on Oct. 19 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm in Sage 4232.
• MPTC will wrap up the film festival on Oct. 25 with four short films hosted by Brenda Schaefer’s sociology students beginning at Noon until 2 pm in A109.

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Did you know Moraine Park is a Fair Trade College?  Actually we are the first Fair Trade technical college in the U.S.  Go MPTC!  In May, 2017 we celebrated 2 years as a fair trade college!

October is Fair Trade month!  On October 9 from 11:30-12:30 p.m. in all three MPTC cafeterias, stop at the Fair Trade display table to learn more and have a delicious sample of Fair Trade chocolate and sign up to win a Fair Trade raffle prize!
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It’s really something to think about. Who made your clothes? Do the companies who make your clothes value people? How about the environment? Does their social responsibility extend across the supply chain from the farmer all the way to you as the consumer?

Learn more about the steps we are taking here at Moraine Park.

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