Celebrate World Fair Trade Day!

FT Campaigns Intern May 1, 2017

This year, May 13 marks the fifteenth annual celebration of World Fair Trade Day. In communities around the world, people will come together to show their support for Fair Trade and celebrate the benefits that Fair Trade provides to producers and their families. And we want to invite YOU to be part of the celebration!

Whether you host or attend an event, or mark the day by enjoying your favorite Fair Trade product, there are so many ways to get involved. We’ve rounded up a few ideas and opportunities here.

Fairtrade America – World Fairtrade Challengecsm__tmp_seal_06f4738e36

Learn more and join the Fairtrade Challenge

This May, join Fairtrade farmers, workers and supporters for the World Fairtrade Challenge. Treat your colleagues, friends, or customers to Fairtrade products, register your purchase or event online, and let’s create the biggest Fairtrade Celebration the world’s ever seen!

World Fair Trade Organization – Agents for Change

Learn more and get involved

Agents for Change across five continents will join hand in hand for Fair Trade and the planet to celebrate World Fair Trade Day on 13 May 2017. Fair traders in the supply chain, joined by consumers, policy makers, and advocates, will form human chains in their celebrations to mark their commitment to Fair Trade and the Planet, our route to sustainable development.

Fair Trade Federation – Opening Doors

WFTD1-768x512Learn more and find events near you

This year on World Fair Trade Day, Fair Trade Federation invites you to join them in recognizing and celebrating the Fair Trade relationships of the FTF community. The FTF community works to open doors for artisans and farmers across the world through their strong dedication to Fair Trade.


Attend an Event Near You

Here are just a few of the World Fair Trade Day celebrations taking place around the country this month. Are you hosting an event you’d like to share? Register your campaign’s event (find out how here) or leave a comment below.

World Fair Trade Day Festival
Chicago, IL | May 3 & 4CFT-WFTD

Join Chicago Fair Trade for the biggest Fair Trade event in the USA! Their annual 2-day World Fair Trade Day festival and market will take place at Daley Plaza from 9 AM to 6 PM on Wednesday, May 3, and Thursday, May 4. Shop from the collections of over 30 locally-owned ethical vendors, featuring products made by artisans in Nepal, Ghana, Colombia, and more!

World Fair Trade Day Celebration
Burlington, VT  | May 13

Join Fair Trade Burlington and the Peace & Justice Center at Burlington City Hall park for a celebration of all things Fair Trade. The event will feature Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, free Fair Trade smoothies, Lake Champlain Chocolates, West African Dance Troupe Jeh Kulu, Nomad Coffee Cart, and local Fair Trade vendors – as well as opening day for the Farmer’s Market!

Cafe Culture Grand Opening Celebration
Pasadena, CA | May 13

Join Fair Trade LA and Fair Trade Pasadena as they celebrate World Fair Trade Day at the Grand Opening of Cafe Culture, the “Only Fair Trade Coffee Shop in Pasadena!” There will be a variety of Fair Trade artisan products sold, as well as speakers, musicians, artists, face painting for children, henna tattoos, and complimentary Fair Trade coffee and tea to sample.

World of Fair Trade Exhibit
Dayton, OH | May 13 – August 5

Beginning on World Fair Trade weekend, May 13- August 5 Christ Episcopal Church in downtown Dayton, Ohio, presents a World of Fair Trade Exhibit. Spring and summer are great seasons to learn more and add more Fair Trade to your life. The exhibit will teach how to find Fair Trade labels, show examples of Fair Trade products, and you will learn how you can incorporate more Fair Trade into your everyday life.

NYCFT-WFTDFair Trade Day Festival & Celebration
Brooklyn, NY | May 13

Celebrate Fair Trade Day with the NYC Fair Trade Coalition and the Domestic Fair Trade Association. Shop small, local, and ethical businesses, and hear stories, talks, and other entertainment from Fair Trade advocates

World Fair Trade Day in Downtown Staunton
Staunton, VA | May 13

Celebrate World Fair Trade Day with three Fair Trade stores in historic downtown Staunton, VA.  On May 13, World Fair Trade Day, Staunton’s Fair Trade retailers will be offering samples of Fair Trade foods and beverages, discounts off select Fair Trade products, educational materials about Fair Trade, and drawings for Fair Trade prizes.

World Fair Trade Day at Harvest Natural Foods
Hockessin, DE | May 13

Harvest Market Natural Foods invites all  customers and community members to celebrate Fair Trade and certified Fair Trade products during their World Fair Trade Day celebration. They will also have a Fair Trade Gift Basket to raffle off and a variety of chocolate, coffee, and other Fair Trade samples on hand to enjoy.

We’d love to see how you celebrate!
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 #FTCampaigns.


Host an Event in Your Community

There’s still time to organize an event! Plan a bake fair at your school or host a film screening in your community. Looking for ideas for fun and informative Fair Trade events? Check out our event guides for hosting a Fair Trade Fashion Show or a Roast-N-Roll coffee tour.

And if you can’t attend or organize an event this year, there are still simple ways for you to get involved and show your support of Fair Trade on May 13.

  • Sign up for the World Fairtrade Challenge, as a group or an individual.
  • Start a conversation with a friend, family member, or colleague about the importance of Fair Trade.
  • Try a new Fair Trade product, or enjoy an old favorite.

However you mark the occasion, thank you for your commitment to making the world a better place, one purchase at a time.

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FT Campaigns Intern,