Lead for Change Blog

WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY: Get Your Bake On!

March 6, 2014

Samples, Event Resources & Materials Coming Soon! What better way to celebrate World Fair Trade Day than with deliciously baked goods! This year Fair Trade Campaigns encourages Towns, Schools, and Colleges & Universities to host bake sales, bake offs  and study breaks to honor this global celebration. Campaigns who host bake sales, bake offs or […]

VIDEO: Max Havelaar Fair Trade Label Turns 25!

February 14, 2014

Did you know that the first fair trade labelled product was coffee? It was first launched in the Netherlands in 1988 with the label of Max Havelaar. This name was taken from a fictional Dutch character who opposed the exploitation of coffee workers in Dutch colonies. Over the years, the Fair Trade movement expanded to […]

DOCUMENTARY: Stand With Me – One Girl’s Dream to End Child Slavery

February 5, 2014

If life gives you lemons, end child slavery Vivienne Harr, a 10-year-old girl from Fairfax, CA, set up a lemonade stand to fight child slavery. Her first audacious goal was to free 500 children with the proceeds. However, her dream took her much further. Vivienne kept up her lemonade stand for one whole year – […]

Fair Trade Schools Launch in the United States

February 4, 2014

Fair Trade  Campaigns Announces New Initiative to Empower K – 12 Schools Commit to Ethical Purchasing Fair Trade Campaigns, a national network of Fair Trade advocates in 170 towns and campuses across the United States, is proud to announce its newest campaign – Fair Trade Schools. Mirroring a growing demand for Fair Trade products, Fair […]

Campaign Spotlight: Dayton, Ohio

January 30, 2014

Read about the journey of the Dayton, Ohio, Fair Trade Towns campaign. Our guest bloggers are Lisa Von De Linde and Leslie Blaha. Breaking the Ice Peace on Fifth, a local Dayton slave-free and Fair Trade store, wanted to change the conversation about Fair Trade in Dayton, Ohio. Although many people could easily connect Fair […]

Share the Love this Valentine’s Day

January 23, 2014

Below we have compiled a number of ideas and resources (including discounts!) to help make your Valentine’s Day easy and educational. Valentines to Farmers and Artisans Wouldn’t it be great if you could send a note of personal thanks and gratitude to Fair Trade Farmers and Artisans? Well now you can! We are partnering with […]

VIDEO: The Merits of Fair Trade

January 15, 2014

This short video, entitled ‘The Merits of Fair Trade,’ takes viewers through an engaging overview of Fair Trade. Use it to educate and make the case for Fair Trade in your community. Help us spread the message and make the most of these new resources: 1) Watch the video here: http://bit.ly/10jjFhH 2) Share it with friends, […]

Media Recap November & December 2013

January 10, 2014

Local Media Hits Fair Trade Holiday Gift Fair Held in Center City Philadelphia CBS local, Philadelphia, December 18, 2013 Supporters of “fair trade” commerce held a gift fair in center city Philadelphia, hoping to get holiday gifts with the ethical stamp of approval in the hands of as many givers as possible. Fair Trade Philadelphia, […]

Reflections on Fair Trade in Mexico: Majomut Coffee Coop

December 24, 2013

In July, Fair Trade Campaigns took 12 organizers from across the country to Chiapas and Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, to visit Fair Trade farmers, artisans and producers.  We visited five  producer groups that are associated with the various third party labeling organizations in the US. Over the next few months we’ll be sharing one reflection on […]

Reflections on Fair Trade in Mexico: Manos Zapotecas Weaving Cooperative

December 4, 2013

In July, Fair Trade Campaigns took 12 organizers from across the country to Chiappas and Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, to visit Fair Trade farmers, artisans and producers.  We visited five producer groups that are associated with the various third party labeling organizations in the US. Over the next few months we’ll be sharing one reflection on each […]

Calling All Bakers! Submit Your #BakeFair Recipes

December 3, 2013

Submit Your #BakeFair Recipes for a chance to be featured on Fair Trade USA’s website, and to win a Fair Trade gift basket!     With the 2013 holiday season in full swing, we know that all you bakers out there have your oven mitts prepped and ready for some delicious, wintry treats. This year, show […]

#FairTuesday (December 3)- The Alternative to Black Friday

November 26, 2013

It is 4:30 am on the day after Thanksgiving. It’s dark outside, and you are standing in the cold, frosty air, surrounded by hoards of anxious shoppers waiting in line for the stores to open. It is crowded, yet vivid “Sale” signs beckon you in.  People are pushing and shoving, trying to work their way to […]

Fair Trade Your Holiday Events!

November 21, 2013

Here’s your chance to get hooked up with some great free materials for that final Fair Trade event of the year! The first 20 campaigns to provide a short explanation of their plans in the comment section below will recieve the following event package to help bolster their event:

Fair Trade Your Finals!

November 21, 2013

Share Your Plans and get Rewarded Here’s your chance to get hooked up with some great, free materials for that final Fair Trade Event of the year! A number of generous donations have allowed us to support campaigns hosting a Fair Trade Study Break. The first 28 campaigns to provide a short explanation of their plans in the comment section […]

GIVEAWAY – Dsenyo Fair Trade Gifts

November 20, 2013

All Dsenyo accessories are handcrafted in Malawi and Brazil. We work with several sewing cooperatives and are expanding our production in Africa.

Send us Your BananaGram Tally & Best Photos By November 8th

November 4, 2013

  At least 30 campaigns participated in this year’s BananaGram Challenge and Photo Contest. Make your hard work count! Get recognized nationally for your efforts – send us your BananaGram Tally and best photos by Friday November, 8th.   We’ll announce winners during the week of November 10th, and continue to update everyone over the […]

Late Night Snack- Results and Recap!

November 4, 2013

In the end, over 3,300 people from dozens of campaigns across the US took part in the Late Night Snack Photo Contest, making it our most successful national event to date! If you have time, please take a journey by searching for #FTSnack through Twitter and Instagram to see some of the incredible and creative ways […]

Handmade Expressions Giveaway!

October 28, 2013

Living Our Values, Making an Impact Through Fair Trade   By Handmade Expressions   This Fair Trade Month, Handmade Expressions is happy to share our story with you – as well as our products. To celebrate, through October 31st we’re offering a fair trade prize package to the customer and retailer whose photo of their […]