Lead for Change Blog

Share the Love: Valentine’s Day 2020

January 14, 2020

On February 14, many of us take time to show extra love to the special people in our lives. This Valentine’s Day, we’re partnering with Alter Eco and inviting you to share the love with the farmers behind your Fair Trade chocolate. Why Chocolate? The global cocoa market’s value is estimated at almost $10 billion […]

Year in Review: Top 10 Achievements of 2019

December 20, 2019

2019 was an exciting year for Fair Trade Campaigns! Let’s take a look back at the Top 10 Achievements of the year. 1) We welcomed nearly 400 advocates, supporters and partners to the 2019 National Conference in Chicago, IL. In March 2019, we spent three inspiring days learning from leaders from across the Fair Trade […]

Fair Trade Your Holidays – 2019

November 14, 2019

To help take some of the stress out of your holiday preparations, we’ve rounded up a collection of Fair Trade gift guides and recipes right here. Did we miss your holiday favorites? Share in the comments below! The holiday season is a time to gather and give thanks with family and friends. However you celebrate, […]

Meet the Speakers: Fair Trade Campaigns 2020 National Conference

October 31, 2019

Innovating for a Just and Sustainable Future Conversations at Fair Trade Campaigns 2020 National Conference will highlight intersections between sustainability, social justice and Fair Trade, and explore solutions for a just and sustainable future with advocates, brands, nonprofit organizations, and producers themselves. The program will feature inspiring keynotes, engaging breakout sessions and interactive networking with […]

Farewells and Welcomes: Fair Trade Campaigns Fellows

October 31, 2019

As the Fair Trade movement continues to grow across the U.S., we are more grateful than ever for the strength of our regional networks. In the Mid Atlantic, Northeast, Southwest and Great Lakes, these networks bring together town, college and university, school and congregation campaigns to learn from and collaborate with one another. None of this […]

Fair Trade Finals Fall 2019

October 16, 2019

Fall 2019 Fair Trade Finals Sign-up by Nov. 11th: http://bit.ly/FTFinalsSIgnUp Always wanted to host a Fair Trade Event? Here’s your chance to get free materials for a Fair Trade event this semester!  Donations from a few generous Fair Trade partners make it possible for us to support campaigns hosting a Fair Trade study break or […]

Bring Your Campus to LA for #FTConf2020: A Student Perspective

September 27, 2019

Last spring, I had the opportunity to attend the Fair Trade Campaigns National Conference alongside other University of Iowa students and Fair Trade advocates. Our student organization, Fair Trade at Iowa, was able to take advantage of the Campus Partner Program, which allowed us to bring 13 students from Iowa City to Chicago!   We […]

Campaign Spotlight: Quincy, MA

September 16, 2019

Fair Trade advocates and campaigners tend to share one desire, and that is to spread Fair Trade awareness to their neighbors and friends. As most of you already know, this is not always as easy as it sounds. Between coordinating with campaign members, finding time and space for community outreach and attracting participants, hosting events […]

Petition | End the Humanitarian Crisis in the Coffee Industry

September 6, 2019

Sign the petition to demand better for coffee farmers and call on coffee companies to pay fair prices. “When the price is good, we have work, but when it isn’t, we have no money to pay the rent, no money for food, no money for the doctor,” said Angela Poló Gámez, a coffee picker from […]

Campaign Spotlight: James River High School

August 13, 2019

As a recent graduate, I can still remember that bitter-sweet feeling of wanting to see my friends, but not wanting to take exams. Since I won’t be heading back to school this fall, the feelings I have are all sweet as I think about what our student advocates are planning for the upcoming year. To […]

Partner Spotlight: Ten Thousand Villages

July 22, 2019

Ten Thousand Villages is a strong ally in the Fair Trade movement and, with thoughtful organizing, can be a game-changer in the progress of a Fair Trade Town campaign. When people think of Fair Trade items, they often think of coffee, tea and chocolate; the three classics. However, there are also plenty of opportunities to […]

Bringing Fair Trade to Campus

July 12, 2019

University of California Santa Cruz student reflects on her Fair Trade journey and starting her school’s Fair Trade University campaign. My name is Saajia Bidar and I am a senior at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). This is my second year working on our Fair Trade campaign. I was introduced to Fair Trade […]

Academic Year in Review: 2018-19

June 17, 2019

Now that we’ve reached the end of the 2018-19 academic year, it’s time to look back on our accomplishments. We are so happy to see how much our work has grown over the past year, thanks to our amazing Fair Trade advocates across the country! Fair Trade Campaigns is always growing. Throughout the last year, […]

Campaign Spotlight: Burlington, VT

May 31, 2019

I originally got involved with Burlington’s Fair Trade Town campaign as a student at Champlain College, where I worked on the Fair Trade College campaign through the college’s Center for Service & Sustainability. As a member of the Eco-Reps program at Champlain, I learned about the dynamic approach of Fair Trade and grew inspired to […]

Campaign Spotlight: Arizona State University

May 23, 2019

The Fair Trade Campaigns Regional Fellowship program is special for many reasons. Having the opportunity to work with such a vast network of advocates introduced me to some of the most dedicated and compassionate people, and I am inspired by their work every day. My role as a Southwest Regional Fellow has allowed me to […]

Celebrate World Fair Trade Day 2019

April 29, 2019

Each year, on the second Saturday of May, Fair Trade supporters and advocates around the world come together in celebration of World Fair Trade Day. This year, the World Fair Trade Organization has chosen the theme Fair Trade Innovates. Join us in celebrating how Fair Trade delivers solutions for people and planet. Looking for ways to get involved? We’ve […]

Campaigner Spotlight: Anne Lemke

April 18, 2019

During my time as a Fair Trade Campaigns Fellow, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know many Fair Trade advocates all doing amazing work in their communities to advocate for Fair Trade and to highlight other important issues that Fair Trade strives to address.  Among the advocates in our region, I wanted to highlight […]

Campaign Spotlight: Fair Trade Los Angeles

April 11, 2019

I have a unique experience as one of the Southwest Regional Fellows. Not only do I get to work with college campuses, congregations, and schools, but since I am based in Southern California I also get to work with some incredible Fair Trade Town campaigns – including Los Angeles, CA. Fair Trade LA (FTLA) is […]