October was the 8th annual Fair Trade Month in the United States. Fair Trade month was started by Fair Trade USA, Fair Trade Federation and Fair Trade Resource Network to raise awareness of the positive impact purchasing fair trade products has. The main reasons why fair trade is important, is the opportunities it offers to producers (mainly in developing countries) to earn a sustainable wage and invest in the social development of their communities while decreasing the environmental harm caused by other production methods.
Generally throughout the month, fair trade and ethically minded consumers and fair trade vendors join forces to celebrate and promote Fair Trade. Numerous education events, and other product focused activities proliferate during the month to help increase awareness and sales of Fair Trade Certified products, with the end goal of improved livelihoods for farmers and workers in developing countries. A few highlights included:
- Reverse Trick-or-Treating: Tables were turned and trick-or-treaters handed Fair Trade chocolate back to adults, with informational cards attached, to explain the problems of the cocoa industry and how Fair Trade presents a solution.
- Fair Trade Finder App: the first-of-its-kind crowd-sourced directory that lets you find, add, tag and photograph Fair Trade Certified products wherever you are. The new “Fair Trade Finder” Facebook and mobile (iPhone and Android) application is FREE and can be downloaded at Android and iTunes.
- La Mesa Fair Trade Gift Faire: We had a wonderful turn out and would like to thank vendors: Around the World Fair Trade Gifts, Ben & Jerry's Fair Trade Ice Cream, 7 Hopes United Fair Trade Gifts, Revisit Sustainable Fair Trade Gifts, Dr. Bronners Fair Trade Soaps, Angell Organic Fair Trade Candy Bars, Spacebar Internet Cafe for Fair Trade ACAI, Pallas Athene Soaps, Cafe Virtuoso-Fair Trade Coffee, Plant with Purpose, 5th grade parents for support of Fair Trade as a fundraiser and the Guatemala Project.
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