Claremont became the first Fair Trade Town in southern California Tuesday night after approval by the Claremont City Council.

“Now it’s time for a big celebration,” said Linda Michon after the council unanimously supported a resolution vocalizing support for Fair Trade USA, a global nonprofit organization aimed at promoting the sale of products that are economically sustainable and provided by companies that support safe and environmentally-friendly workplaces.

Ms. Michon, along with her husband and about a dozen others have helped lead the resolution to the council over the past year.

Receiving a city-supported resolution was the last of 5 steps needed in order to obtain the Fair Trade designation, which will place Claremont on the national database with other Fair Trade Towns across the globe.

Such a distinction will help attract more visitors and drive vendor sales within the city, according to Interim Assistant City Manager Colin Tudor.

See Saturday’s edition of the COURIER for a more complete account of this week’s city council meeting.