Lead for Change Blog Towns

Giveaway: HAE Now OrganicTees

June 26, 2012

Looking for a sustainable t-shirt to print for your next fundraiser or event? Or, are you trying to get restaurants and community organizations to embrace Fair Trade with cool options? Then check out HAE Now’s high quality fair trade organic cotton blanks where you’ll find t-shirts, aprons and baby items. Soon you’ll find bistro aprons, polo style t-shirts and wash cloths.

The National Team Grows!

June 8, 2012

In February 2012, Fair Trade Towns USA invited four new members to join its National Steering Committee: Joan Harper, Scott Tess, Ashley Fessler, and Elizabeth O’Connell. Each member brings creative ideas and new perspectives to the table, continuing to spread the Fair Trade movement throughout the country with their unique and invaluable experiences. Prior to these fresh faces, the committee consisted of a team of seven people from various backgrounds, such as Fair Trade USA, Fair Trade Resource Network, declared or in-progress Fair Trade Towns, faith-based organizations, and more, all cooperating and working towards the similar vision of a Fair Trade nation. You can find stories and biographies of all current members of the National Steering Committee here.

Fair Trade Photo Contest Accepts Entries June 1-26

June 7, 2012

The 4th annual Fair Trade Photo Contest has begun! Educate about Fair Trade, or help spread the word about your business or organization and the beauty of Fair Trade.

Campaign Spotlight: La Mesa, California

June 5, 2012

The Fair Trade movement is gaining momentum in La Mesa and throughout San Diego County, thanks to the La Mesa Fair Trade Town steering committee. The word is spreading that, simply by our consumer choices, we can make a difference for the environment, the marginalized and local businesses.

Campaign: Bethlehem, New York

May 24, 2012

By Anna McMahon, Lead Organizer, Fair Trade Bethlehem   The Fair Trade Bethlehem NY campaign began in May 2009 with a Fair Trade coffee-sampling outside one of our independent cafes.  Since then we have expanded our efforts in many directions: organising public events; taking presentations to local schools and community groups; generating media interest and […]

Fair Trade USA and Partners Deliver Record Impact in 2011

May 24, 2012

Community Development Premiums Empower and Improve Fair Trade Farming Communities; Impact Driven by Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration By:  Fair Trade USA   Fair Trade USA recently released its 2011 Almanac, an annual publication which provides detailed information on the supply and impact of Fair Trade Certified products. According to the Almanac, in 2011 farmers and farm workers […]

Giveaway: Kopali Organics

May 21, 2012

  Win 1 of 3 FREE bags of Fair Trade Certified Kopali Chocolate Bananas!  Find out how at the bottom of this post.   Kopali Organics:  What’s In A Name? Did you know Kopali (ko*pah*lee) is an ancient Mexican Nahuatl word meaning “incense”, particularly identified with the forms of tree sap resin used as a […]

Fair Trade Tour with Indian Artisan Coordinator, Lata Kachhawaha

May 11, 2012

Lata Kachhawaha joins Handmade Expressions and Fair Trade Towns for a fair trade tour along the west coast. There are millions of artisans around the world who live in poverty. Lata Kachhawa is a passionate social activist who has devoted her life to improving the conditions of such impoverished artisans, particularly women. Lata ji founded […]

Fair Trade Coffee in the Dominican Republic: From Seed to Bean

April 30, 2012

In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic. The travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country to see the effects of their hard work visiting cocoa, coffee and banana farms, as well as a sweat-free apparel […]

Fair Trade Bananas and Young Leadership in the Dominican Republic

April 28, 2012

Margo with COOPROBATA Board and staff Did you know that the Dominican Republic is the largest exporter of organic bananas? In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic. The travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country […]

Giveaway: Global Mamas

April 24, 2012

History Global Mamas would not exist without the dedication of co-founders Renae Adam and Kristin Johnson who met in Ghana during their tenure in the US Peace Corps from 1992-95. Throughout those years they collaborated on many projects working to empower women. Both Renae and Kristin fell in love with Ghana, its people, and the […]

Day 6 at COOPROBATA: Banana’s that protect the people and preserve the planet

April 18, 2012

In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic. The travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country to see the effects of their hard work visiting cocoa, coffee and banana farms, as well as a sweat-free apparel […]

Day 5 at FEDECARES: The Tastiest Bean

April 16, 2012

In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic. The travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country to see the effects of their hard work visiting cocoa, coffee and banana farms, as well as a sweat-free apparel […]

Day 4 at FEDECARES: Discovering the Social Premium at a General Assembly Meeting

April 14, 2012

  In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic. The travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country to see the effects of their hard work visiting cocoa, coffee and banana farms, as well as a sweat-free […]

Day 3 at Alta Gracia Apparel Factory: “This is a Dream”

April 13, 2012

In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic. The travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country to see the effects of their hard work visiting cocoa, coffee and banana farms, as well as a sweat-free apparel […]

Day 2 at CONACADO: From cocoa pod to delicious bean!

April 11, 2012

In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic where they built the people-to-people ties that make working for Fair Trade so meaningful.  The Travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country to see the effects of their […]

Day 1 at CONACADO: Creating Conscious Farmers of Reality

April 10, 2012

In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic. The travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country to see the effects of their hard work, visiting cocoa, coffee and banana farms, as well as a sweat-free apparel […]

Delegation Arrives in the Domincan Republic

March 28, 2012

The Fair Trade Towns crew has arrived in Boca Chica, Dominican Repbulic, and local organizers are stoked after various emails and phone calls to finally meet face-to-face. Our evening began by meeting with a local advocate, Unica, who works in the eastern part of Santo Domingo. Using her experience of fighting for democracy during the Dominican revolution as inspiration, she now […]