Lead for Change Blog

3 Ways to Support Mexican Farmworkers

December 19, 2014

Last week, the Los Angeles Times revealed a wrenching four-part documentary series called “Product of Mexico,” in which two reporters traveled throughout Mexico to interview farmworkers at produce farms many American retailers source from. They found living conditions were oftentimes bleak, and food, ironically, scarce. These intimate stories capture the day-to-day trials of our farmworkers; the […]

A November in Fair Trade Campaigns

December 11, 2014

 November has been a busy month! Let’s see what’s been happening on the campaign trail… Campaign Badges and Declarations 4 Declarations! 1. San Ramon, CA – Fair Trade Town 2. Chelsea, MI – Fair Trade Town 3. Hartwick College, NY – Fair Trade University 4.  Seattle University, WA – Fair Trade University 11 Badges Earned! 1. […]

Fair Trade Holiday Gift Guide

December 4, 2014

Tis’ the season for Fair Trade! Use our holiday Gift Guide when you start shopping for gifts and discover some great brands that are already supporting Fair Trade products.   Click on the image of the Fair Trade Campaigns Holiday Gift Guide  so that you can follow links to all the products you see below!     Check out […]

Giving Tuesday – Let’s Grow the Fair Trade Movement Together!

December 2, 2014

  Dear Friends: It is the final week of the 2014 Skoll Social Entrepreneurs Challenge and the Skoll Foundation is committed to doubling every dollar we raise this week!  The team at Fair Trade Campaigns (Billy, Courtney and Parker), are asking for your support during this final push. We Need Your Help Now! Our goal […]

October Campaign Achievements: Our Campaigns are Going Strong

November 7, 2014

 Let’s hear it for October! We’d like to take a moment to reflect on the success of our campaigns throughout the month. Campaign Badges 11 Badges Earned! 1. Houston, TX – Engage Your Town 2. Lawrence, KS – Engage Your Town 3. Chelsea, MI – Get Some Love from the Media & Reach out to Retailers 4. […]

Town Tip #2: Engaging Your Local Government

November 5, 2014

Reaching Goal #5: Engaging Your Local Government Goal #5 is about citizen engagement. To reach this goal you will need to complete the following: Pass a Fair Trade resolution, or even better a more formal procurement policy. There may be instances where passing something is not immediately possible, but this must be discussed with the National Organizer.   […]

SCHOOL TIP #2: Committing to Fair Trade Education & Events

October 20, 2014

Reaching Goal #2: Commit to Fair Trade Education & Events   Goal #2 is all about Fair Trade education and events at your school. To reach this goal you will need to complete the following: Bring Fair Trade into at least two classrooms or events.  Empower students to be conscious consumers. The Obstacles The Solutions Making connections with […]

Get Inspired By Those Who Took A Step For Fair Trade In September!

October 3, 2014

We’d like to take the opportunity to recognize all of our campaigns that have worked so hard to make this past month a huge success! Campaign Badges & Declarations 8 Declarations Earned! 1. Alexandria, VA – 35th Fair Trade Town 2. Our Lady of Assumption (CA) 3. 2nd Congregational/1st Presbyterian Church (IL) 4. St. John’s Episcopal Church (MN) 5. […]

UNIVERSITY TIP #4: Committing to Fair Trade Education

October 1, 2014

Reaching Goal #4: Commit to Fair Trade Education   Goal #4 is all about Fair Trade education on your campus. To reach this goal you will need to complete the following: Sponsor Fair Trade educational events and activities on campus and work with faculty to bring Fair Trade into the classroom.   The Obstacles The Solutions Knowing […]

August Campaign Achievements: Making Progress

September 7, 2014

We would like to take a moment to recognize all of our campaigns hard at work making this summer a huge success! Badges and Declarations: Altadena, CA – Reach out to Retailers Lawrence, KS – Reach out to Retailers; Get Some Love from the Media Metuchin, NJ – Engage Your Local Government Penn State University, PA – […]

Two Ways to Put Pressure on the Cocoa Industry with Catholic Relief Services & Global Exchange

August 19, 2014

There are a lot of great organizations that are supporting the Fair Trade movement and putting pressure on the cocoa industry. Here is information on two of our partners for the Back to School cocoa program; Catholic Relief Services and Global Exchange. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Background Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian […]

TOWN TIP #1: Engaging Your Town

August 19, 2014

Reaching Goal #3: Engaging Your Town   Goal #3 is all about engaging community organizations. To reach this goal you will need to complete the following: Based on population size, your town will have a certain number of community organizations offering a Fair Trade product. This means getting a commitment from community organizations like schools, places […]

SCHOOL TIP #1: How Do I Build My Team?

July 22, 2014

Reaching Goal #1: Building Your Team  Goal #1 is all about building your team. To reach this goal you will need to complete the following: A teacher and/or student-lead group should be formed to implement the campaign. The Fair Trade committee provides leadership and direction for your campaign objectives and drives awareness. Parents can and should […]

Q&A With The Fair Trade Campaigns Interns!

July 10, 2014

They’re here! We’ve got a great and talented bunch of interns working with Fair Trade Campaigns this Summer. Take a look below to familiarize yourself with the folks who work to keep us connected, prepared, and moving forward. Fair Trade Campaigns’ Summer 2014 interns! (Left to right: Stephanie, Lena, Alison) Lena Crown (Washington University): Social Media Intern […]

Fair Trade Schools: How Millennials are Combatting Child Slave Labor

May 12, 2014

Every child deserves an education.  But, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), child labor is a reality for 168 million boys and girls in Latin America, Africa and Asia.  Can you imagine your son, daughter, niece, nephew, neighbor or YOU picking cocoa beans instead of going to school? It’s easier than you think to […]

FORUM: Interactive Q&A on Community Grounds

April 16, 2014

Welcome to the New Fair Trade Campaigns Forum!   Our new Forum is now live and campaigners are able to educate one another about their personal experiences, ask questions, and find answers to everyday campaign issues. Everyone with a Fair Trade Campaign user account can participate   Check it out!   How to Use the Forum: […]

Campaign Spotlight: John Carroll University

March 18, 2014

Exploring the Roots of Fair Trade  Read about the journey of the John Carroll University students and their trip to Nicaragua. Our guest blogger is Grace Donnelly – a member of the Fair Trade Colleges & Universities National Steering Committee and a leader for Fair Trade John Carroll.   Visiting Nicaragua This past January I traveled to Nicaragua […]

REGISTRATION OPEN: Mid-West & Mid-Atlantic Gatherings

March 8, 2014

Fair Trade Campaigns is hosting two Regional Gatherings this Spring in the Midwest & Mid-Atlantic and you’re invited! Fair Trade Town and Fair Trade College & University campaign organizers and supporters will come together to establish regional support networks, build and grow our campaigns, and learn from our peers. Mark your calendars! Midwest Regional Gathering […]