Holiday tree at the Global Exchange Fair Trade store in San Francisco

I walked into the Global Exchange Fair Trade store in San Francisco last week to cross off the last of the names on my gift list. This holiday season I made a promise to myself; to only give socially responsible gifts. I made some, I purchased some from local artists and craftspeople, and I purchased Fair Trade gifts.

For many years now, I’ve purchased some of my holiday gifts from our San Francisco store. It is one my holiday traditions. I love seeing the giant tree with Fair Trade ornaments from around the world hanging proudly.

Jocelyn, Kara and Alex from the Global Exchange Fair Trade Store in San Francisco

The staff are always welcoming and friendly. Festive even! When I tell them who is left on my holiday gift list, they are always eager to suggest gift ideas. And when I leave, I feel good about my purchases. Because I know my gifts are great AND that my money was well spent because Fair Trade purchases help support hard-working artisans from around the world.

For those who are curious, here are a few of the holiday gift finds I’ve purchased from our San Francisco store:

• Set of vetiver placemats– (which smell great and come rolled up for easy shipping.) Surprisingly they are machine washable which is great, because my brother is a messy eater!
• Cruelty-free leather bracelets–These multi-strand leather band bracelets are really hip looking. Jewelry can be hard to pick out for someone else, but not these bracelets. Rockers, fashionistas, even hippies…they work for lots of styles. I’ve gotten a few of these for both friends and family. (Ok, and one for me too, I couldn’t help it!)
• 

  Tunisian pottery

  Tunisian pottery–there are lots of pieces in the collection, and they’re gorgeous! If you have a small budget, there are smaller pieces under $20. Even the larger pieces are responsibly priced.

• Soapstone heart-shaped rocks–you have to see these to appreciate their beauty. Amazingly, they are made without the use of any electricity. The artisans use only human-power to create these one-of-a-kind stones. They are super smooth, some are red, black, with various designs. Giving someone a smooth heart stone just feels right. I’ve given the same person one of these stones two years in a row, because you can’t have enough love in your life.
• Winter wear–Uber hip fingerless gloves, matching scarves and hats, there’s lots to choose from, and they’ve got sizes for kids and adults.
• Chocolate–You can never go wrong with Fair Trade chocolate bars, unless of course your gift recipient is a dog, since chocolate is not good for them:) I grab bars and attach them to the outside of some of my presents for that extra pop. I also help Santa out by putting some in stockings.
• Journals–This is an easy gift to give someone, because having a fresh new book to write in is never a bad thing.
• What About Peace? gift card sets–this is the first year Global Exchange put these out, and I love them. They feature artwork from our What About Peace? youth art contest. Call me old-school, but I still believe a nice hand written note beats email any day.
  

  What About Peace gift card set

• Stocking stuffers galore–our stores have tons of stocking stuffers under $10, too many to name! One of my faves is the little organza baggies filled with Equal Exchange chocolate minis.

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That’s just a few of the many gifts I’ve scored at our San Francisco Fair Trade store!

So if you live near one of our Fair Trade stores, (Berkeley, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Virginia) I encourage you to stop by and say hello, and find gifts for those still on YOUR list. You won’t regret it!

Whether you celebrate Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or none of the above, the Global Exchange Fair Trade Store Holiday Parties are a great time for socially responsible shoppers to come together and celebrate. And they’re coming up fast!

This year, all of our Fair Trade store locations will be celebrating on the same evening; Thursday, December 6th. (See below for more details.)

Party highlights:

• Enjoy some holiday cheer and find gifts for your loved ones, while creating a more sustainable and just world.
• FREE Fair Trade mug hand-painted in Tunisia FULL of steaming Fair Trade hot chocolate! *First 25 people to spend $25 or more
• Mix and mingle with new friends and old
• One-Night! 20% OFF Storewide for Global Exchange Members Only (Click here to become a member now). *Please bring your Global Exchange membership card to receive your discount.

RSVP On Facebook:

• Berkeley Store:  2840 College Ave (at Russell) Berkeley, CA 94705 510-548-0370
• San Francisco Store: 4018 24th Street (near Noe) San Francisco, CA 94114 415-648-8068
• Virginia Store (inside Busboys & Poets): Shirlington Village 4251 South Campbell Avenue Arlington VA 22206 703-379-9756
• Washington, DC Store (inside Busboys & Poets): 5 & K 1025 5th Street NW Washington, DC 20001 202-842-4525

 I seriously don’t think I’ve missed a single Global Exchange Fair Trade Store holiday party since I started working here waaaay back when. It’s such a fun night. I’ll be at the San Francisco party this year, hope to meet some of you there!

Happy Thanksgiving week everybody! In this Fair Trade Roundup, we’ve got a slightly new format aimed to provide you with more Fair Trade news and info. Each Fair Trade Roundup is now arranged into three sections:

1. Featured Update
2. Global Exchange Fair Trade Updates
3. Fair Trade News to Peruse
   

We’d love to hear what you think in the Comment section!

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FEATURED UPDATE: Two Ways to Shop Ethically this Holiday Season

There are many ways to shop ethically this holiday season; here are two:

1. Shop from the Fair Trade Federation’s 2012 Fair Trade Holiday Gift Guide.

From the Fair Trade Federation:

FTF is thrilled to bring you a collection of gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list! All of the gifts in this guide are sold by members of the Fair Trade Federation– businesses and organizations that are fully committed to fair trade and follow the Fair Trade Principles in every one of their business decisions. Shop with confidence, knowing that your purchases make a positive impact on farmers and artisans around the world. Click here to browse the gift guide.

2. Take part in #FairTuesday.

From #FairTuesday founders Global Goods, a New York-based nonprofit, fair trade organization:

Fair Tuesday (hashtag #FairTuesday) is a fair trade initiative created in response to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The goal of #FairTuesday is to inspire conscious consumerism and show how an everyday purchase can change lives in a whole community. We are featuring fair trade and eco-friendly brands and inviting other businesses to take a step towards sustainability.

You can read more about how to participate in this blog post.

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GLOBAL EXCHANGE FAIR TRADE UPDATES: Give the Gift of Membership AND You’re Invited to Attend Our Fair Trade Store Holiday Parties!

One of Global Exchange’s Gift Membership Packages

Give the Gift of Membership

There are six gifts to choose from, including “Support a Farmer” and “Stand for Human Rights.” You pick the gift and we’ll take care of the rest. We’ll send out the membership card and gift package, plus keep your recipient in the loop about Global Exchange programs and events with our newsletter and e-mail action alerts.

All Global Exchange Gift Membership Packages include:

• One-Year Membership to Global Exchange;
• Special Gift Certificate;
• Fair Trade Gift(s) that represent Global Exchange’s work towards a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world.

Grab yours today, while supplies last.

FREE mugs some will receive at our holiday parties

Global Exchange Fair Trade Store Holiday Parties

Every year our Fair Trade store extended community gets together to celebrate the holidays. We shop, sip, nibble and socialize with each other while celebrating the holiday season. This year all four Fair Trade stores will be celebrating on the same night, so if you live near one of our stores we hope you’ll be able to join us!   

Early attendees will receive a FREE Fair Trade mug hand-painted in Tunisia FULL of steaming Fair Trade hot chocolate! *First 25 people to spend $25 or more

One-Night! 20% OFF Storewide for Global Exchange Members Only (Become a Member Today).

Come enjoy some holiday cheer and find gifts for your loved ones, while creating a more sustainable and just world. You can RSVP on Facebook.

*Please bring your Global Exchange membership card for your discount.

“Shop for a Cause” Nights Support Bay Area Organizations

This year Global Exchange is partnering with FOUR inspiring organizations to host “Shop for a Cause” nights at our Fair Trade stores in the Bay Area. Our goal is simple and speaks to our vision for a better global economic system: give back to our communities while giving back to artisans around the world through Fair Trade.

During these special event evenings, you can shop for your friends and family and 20% of your purchase will go to the featured local Bay Area organization to help support their social justice work.

Find out which organizations we’re partnering with in this post.

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FAIR TRADE NEWS TO PERUSE

• FairtradeInternational: Annual Report Reveals the Strength Behind the Sales
• Herald Online: Hershey Shareholders Allege Company Uses Cocoa Produced Through Unlawful Child Labor in Africa
• Fresh Fruit Portal: Fair trade transition picks up speed in the U.S.
  Raise the Bar Hershey! Breaking News: Hershey commits to certified cocoa
  
• New York Times: A Matchmaker Helps Artisans Find Luxury Jobs
• Crowdsourcing.org: Dr. Bronner’s Launches Crowdfunding Campaign and New Educational Video on Fair Trade Palm Oil
• CSR Europe: Nestlé UK & Ireland double commitment to FAIRTRADE as KitKat 2-fingers is certified
• Fair Trade Resource Network: Canadian Fair Trade Network Opens Membership & Conference Registration
  
• Chicago Fair Trade: African Fair Trade Convention to be Held in Ethiopia
• CRS Fair Trade: Time to Celebrate: Fair Trade Campaigning Together
• ABC News: Deepen the Holidays Through Fair Trade Gifting
• CBSNews: Palestinian farmers turn to organic farming
  
• GOOD: Want to Learn More About Fair Trade? Here’s a Primer
  
• Justmeans: Socially Responsible Food Is On the Rise in the U.S., New Report Says
  
• Fair Trade Colleges & Universities: Fair Trade Campaigns Conference
  
• The Packer: Organics marketing meshes well with Fair Trade-certified programs

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THE FAIR TRADE ROUNDUP AND YOU!
•    Subscribe to our Fair Trade blog to receive new Fair Trade blog posts automatically.
•    News to share? If you’ve got big Fair Trade news to share, email me.
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Happy (still) summer everybody! This month in the Fair Trade Roundup, there’s lots to share. So sit back, grab a cup of Fair Trade tea (or coffee, or vodka:) and catch up on what’s going on in the world of Fair Trade.

NATIONAL S’MORES LABOR DAY ACTION MONDAY

September 3, Labor Day, is the National S’mores Day of Action. So this Monday, join us in blitzing Hershey’s Facebook page with photos of Fair Trade s’mores eaters holding messages urging Hershey to end child labor and poverty in the cocoa fields.

Click here for directions on how to post photos to Hershey’s Facebook page.

Leading up to this day of action, we’ve almost reached our goal of registering 1000 fair trade s’mores by Labor Day. (We’re at 823 and counting!) We need your help to reach our goal by Labor Day. It’s not too late to register your s’mores!

While our goal is to reach 1,000 registered Fair Trade s’mores BY Labor Day, our goal ON Labor Day is to see a Hershey Facebook page covered in Fair Trade S’mores photos. Won’t you join us?

Here’s how to take part in National S’mores Day of Action:

1) Share Photo on Hershey’s Facebook: Photograph your Fair Trade s’mores festivities anytime now, then post photos of your action to Hershey’s Facebook page on Sept. 3rd. Directions on how to do this are here.

2) How to Register Your S’mores: Simply go to this page and enter your s’mores count.

Chain stitch pillows from India, on sale now!

GLOBAL EXCHANGE STORES ROCK BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR

All Global Exchange stores are having a sale right now. Through Aug. 31 shoppers can save 50% OFF selected items. But it gets better. Saturday, Sept. 1st through Monday (Labor Day) Sept. 3rd the savings jump to 75% OFF!

What’s on sale? Oh, a variety of items, including housewares, bedding, decorative art pieces, handbags, jewelry and lots more. Our SF store posted some photos of a few of the sale items if you care to peek.

Why the big sale? To make room for all the new items coming in. So stop by any GX Fair Trade Store location now through Labor Day to save big. I’ll be there, grabbing some early holiday gifts while they’re on sale, cuz, you know, every bit helps when it comes to saving!

FAIR TRADE YOUR HALLOWEEN

Halloween, you say? But it’s barely September! Yes, it’s true, summer isn’t over, but autumn is coming up quickly, the kids are back in school, and Halloween will be here before you know it. This year Global Exchange is working with partner organizations to present to you, Fair Trade Your Halloween– 31 days of Fair Trade Actions!

That’s all I’m going to share at this point, but stay tuned for details about how together we can make October an extraordinary time to spread the word about Fair Trade.

Details about this exciting month of activities will be coming soon; Subscribe to our Fair Trade blog to receive updates about this and other Fair Trade news.

Graphic credit: Fair for Life

FAIR FOR LIFE RECOGNIZED BY FAIR TRADE TOWNS

In an email sent out earlier this month, Fair Trade Towns’ USA National Coordinator Billy Linstead Goldsmith announced:

On behalf of the Fair Trade Towns USA National Steering Committee I am happy to share the news with you that the Fair for Life label, certified by IMO (the Institute for Marketecology), will now officially be included in Fair Trade Towns USA’s criteria.

 After much research and careful consideration, the National Steering Committee has concluded that the Fair for Life program meets many rigorous standards that are crucial to Fair Trade. From delivering impact to producers and farmers to evaluating the business practices of the companies using its label, Fair for Life indicates that strict criteria have been met to empower producers and protect the environment.

GREEN & BLACK’S FIRST GLOBAL BRAND TO ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP WITH FAIRTRADE INTERNATIONAL IN THE USA

Green & Black’s, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of organic Fairtrade chocolate, just announced plans to partner with Fairtrade International in the USA.

From Fairtrade International press release:

Green & Black’s is the first major global brand to announce it will carry Fairtrade International’s FAIRTRADE Certification Mark in the USA. The move further emphasizes Green & Black’s commitment to Fairtrade which benefits farming communities in developing countries, including cocoa farmers in the Dominican Republic and Belize and sugar farmers in Paraguay.

Photo Credit: Fair Trade Federation

TWO UPCOMING FAIR TRADE CONFERENCES 

1) Fair Trade Federation Annual Conference 2013

The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) has announced the dates for the 2013 FTF Annual Conference.  FTF reports:

The FTF is headed south. Join us for three days of fair trade fun in Raleigh, North Carolina. Mark your calendars now, and stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. Want a sense of what you can look forward to?  Notes from our 2012 conference are available online.

2) Fair Trade Towns Conference

Registration is now open for the Fair Trade Campaigns Conference 2012 taking place October 26 – 28, 2012 in Chicago, IL.

Fair Trade Towns USA describes the conference:

The conference will bring together leaders and organizers from Fair Trade Towns and Fair Trade Colleges & Universities campaigns at all stages, as well as newcomers to the Fair Trade movement. The goal of this conference is to deepen the local grassroots commitment to Fair Trade around the US and build partnerships locally that help facilitate life-changing benefits for farmers, workers and artisans in Africa, Asia, and Latin America & the Caribbean.

Register here for the Fair Trade Campaigns Conference or click here for more info.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

• The Nation: The Brawl Over Fair Trade Coffee
• Fast Company: Fair Trade USA’s CEO On Being A Better Social Entrepreneur
• The Independent: Harriet Lamb: Fairtrade moves to next level: Head of the Fairtrade Foundation is signing up big business to her ethical fight
• Brandon Sun: Olympics go green and fair trade
• Co.exist: A GPS Social Enterprise Finder To Find The Best Businesses Near You
• Fast Company: Find The Child Slaves Hiding In The Grocery Store
• Fair Trade at Penn State Brandywine: Seeking Ethical Chocolate – A Fair Trade S’more Event!

THE FAIR TRADE ROUNDUP AND YOU!
•    Subscribe to our Fair Trade blog to receive new Fair Trade blog posts automatically.
•    News to share? If you’ve got big Fair Trade news to share, email me.
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GLOBAL EXCHANGE IS HIRING A NEW DC FAIR TRADE STORE MANAGER. IS IT YOU?

Join the Global Exchange family! Our Fair Trade Store in the Washington DC area is in need of a new rock star Store Manager.

We’re looking for someone organized with retail management experience, excellent customer service skills, and knowledge of Fair Trade and a demonstrated interest in international and human rights and social justice work.

Are you or someone you know that person? Apply today, the deadline to apply is July 23, 2012 and you know what the earlybird gets! Job details, qualifications and application here.

If you’d like to spread the word about this job to folks you think might qualify:

• Tweet this
• Use the Share and Retweet buttons on top right to share this blog post
• Share this message on your Facebook and/or LinkedIn Wall:

Attn D.C. Job Seekers (and friends of D.C. job seekers!) The Global Exchange Fair Trade Store in D.C. is hiring a new Fair Trade Store Manager. Spread the word! http://www.globalexchange.org/jobs#DC

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Thanks for helping to spread the word!!

FAIR TRADE PHOTO CONTEST: SUBMISSIONS ARE IN, TIME TO CAST YOUR VOTE

Have you seen the scores of beautiful photos now competing in the 4th annual Fair Trade Photo Contest yet? Only 12 will be chosen by you, the voters, to be featured in the 2013 Fair Trade Calendar. The top vote-getter lands the cover.

Each person can vote for up to 5 photos through July 16.

I voted and it was super easy. Well, the online voting system was. Choosing just 5 wasn’t!

Vote ballot here.

Last year over 2500 people voted for the 78 photos submitted in the contest, co-produced by Fair Trade Resource Network and Fair Trade Federation. This year there are over 80 photo submissions.

So check them out, vote for your favorite five through July 16^th, then look forward to the 4^th annual Fair Trade Calendar. Calendar shipping begins August 1th.

Oh, and by the way, if you want to purchase the 2013 Fair Trade Calendars and get the earlybird discount of 10-15%, order now through August 12.

S’MORES EATERS CALL ON HERSHEY TO GO FAIR TRADE

Global Exchange is joining activists nationwide in calling on Hershey and the rest of the cocoa industry to END grinding poverty and abusive child labor in the cocoa fields…by making a statement with our s’mores!

You can help share this important Fair Trade message with Hershey and contribute to Global Exchange’s goal of making at least 1,000 Fair Trade S’mores between the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend.

Check out this post to find out how YOU can get involved. And to see pictures of Fair Trade s’morctivists, visit our Facebook page.

FAIR TRADE IN THE NEWS …

• wibw.com: Obama Pushing For Fair Trade 
• Fair Trade Towns USA: Save the Date, National Conference
• Fairtrade International: New Fairtrade Chief Executive Announced
• Femalefirst.co.uk: Olympic hopeful supports Fairtrade food at London 2012 Games
• Fair World Project: Open Letter to Fair Trade USA CEO Paul Rice
• The Washington Post: Groups advocate fair trade in dairy industry, ask consumers to pay more for milk to save farms
• Co-Operative News: Trade Standard Draft of FTUSA Open for Public Comment Through August 3

THE FAIR TRADE ROUNDUP AND YOU!
•    Subscribe to our Fair Trade blog to receive new Fair Trade blog posts automatically.
•    News to share? If you’ve got big Fair Trade news to share, email me.
•    Enjoy this Fair Trade Roundup? Then click the Share and Tweet buttons on the top right of this post to share with others. Thanks!

Together our delicious s’mores will help raise awareness and hold Hershey accountable for failing to eliminate child and forced labor from its supply chain and encourage the company to achieve Fair Trade certification.

As part of this unique nationwide action, we’ve decided our goal is to register 1,000+ Fair Trade s’mores this summer. You can help, see below for details.

Fair Trade S’mores at SF Mime Troupe

Last week on the 4^th of July Global Exchange held a s’mores event at the opening show of the famous San Francisco Mime Troupe, a theatre of political satire which performs free shows in parks in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. The Mime Troupe estimates 3000-4000 people attended the 4^th of July show this year.

Over at the Global Exchange table, staff and volunteers were visited by about 50 adults and kids who stopped by to roast vegan marshmallows and make s’mores using Equal Exchange Fair Trade chocolate and organic graham crackers, and have their photos taken with signs urging Hershey to go Fair Trade and end forced child labor.

Global Exchange staff and interns working the SF Mime Troupe table

Definitely a tasty tactic to bring this very important message to Hershey’s headquarters! The pictures say it all; check them out on our Facebook page.

“Mime Troupe audiences are a great group to inform about Hershey’s use of child labor,” said Jenny White, Global Exchange volunteer. “We couldn’t handle people fast enough in the hour and a half before the show started.  A number of people signed our petition too.”

Jenny White, Global Exchange volunteer, at the SF Mime Troupe 4th of July S’mores Action

Those are the best s’mores I ever ate,” said 7 year Guillermo Krebs-Alonzo of San Francisco. “That’s because the chocolate wasn’t made by children who should be in school, not working,” added his grandmother, Gloria Alonzo.

The best part, aside from enjoying tasty Fair Trade s’mores is that photos from the action will be posted on Hershey’s Facebook page, (which is currently promoting s’mores made with Hershey’s chocolate), flooding the fan page with messages demanding that Hershey once and for all go Fair Trade in its cocoa harvesting and production.

Want to make your voice heard and your sweet tooth sing?  You still have time to catch us at 2 more Mime Troupe Performances, this Sunday, July 15th at Cedar Wood Park in Berkeley; and Sunday, August 5th, at Live Oak Park in Berkeley.

GET YOUR S’MORES ON!

You can help share this important Fair Trade message with Hershey and contribute to Global Exchange’s goal of making at least 1,000 Fair Trade S’mores between the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend.

How to participate:

1. Include Fair Trade s’mores in your barbeques and campfires this summer. Or plan a We Want More from Our S’mores picnic in the park (or in the kitchen) or other event with friends, family, coworkers, or the neighborhood.
2. Let the s’mores be counted! Count the s’mores you eat and register them online.
3. Collect petition signatures asking Hershey to step up and become Fair Trade Certified during your s’mores gatherings.
4. Share a photo on Hershey’s Facebook page. Whether you take and upload your own or share one of Global Exchange’s photos, don’t forget to share it, along with your message, on Hershey’s Facebook page. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Despite the heat, many people turned up at our booth to demand “We Want More from our S’mores!” Visitors cooked up S’mores and posed with signs such as “Hershey: Children are More Important than Chocolate!”

Global Exchange and our Raise the Bar Hershey Campaign allies have been pressing Hershey to end child labor in its cocoa supply chain and start sourcing Fair Trade certified cocoa.

Global Exchangers Kirsten and Jenny taking part in the action

This summer we are once again calling on Hershey and the rest of the cocoa industry to END grinding poverty and abusive child labor in the cocoa fields…by making a statement with our S’mores!

That’s why last weekend we took to the heat and served up Fair Trade S’mores. Lots of people joined in for some delicious fun in the sun.

Check out the S’mores pictures! Photos from the day are on our Facebook page.

TAKE ACTION!

• Send a petition to Hershey CEO John Bilbrey saying…Raise the Bar Hershey! We Will Not Tolerate Child or Forced Labor in Cocoa!

• Plan your own S’mores action: Download this step-by-step checklist available here. 

1) FAIR TRADE PHOTO CONTEST ACCEPTING ENTRIES NOW
Source: Fair Trade Resource Network

Fair Trade Photo Contest Accepts Entries June 1-26: 
The 4th annual Fair Trade Photo Contest has begun!

Fair Trade Resource Network and Fair Trade Federation, co-producers of this only photo contest in N. America about Fair Trade, welcome anyone to enter photos from producer or consumer countries. The 12 winning Fair Trade photos will be featured in the 2013 Fair Trade Calendar.

Why enter? To educate others about Fair Trade, and/or to help spread the word about your business or organization and the beauty of Fair Trade. Last year over 2500 people voted for the 78 photos submitted.

To learn more visit the Fair Trade Photo Contest web page, or email photocontest@ftrn.org.

2) FAIR TRADE “FAIR OLIVE HARVEST” TOUR TRIP TO PALESTINE

Palestine Fair Olive Harvest
October 26, 2012 – November 4, 2012
You are invited to join Global Exchange for a very special “Fair Olive Harvest” Reality Tour.

Travel to Palestine and Israel, and learn how fair trade cooperatives are restoring hope and providing economic alternatives to a population under occupation. Harvest olives with Fair Trade farmers, use organic farming practices, witness the community building strengths of Fair Trade cooperatives, and cultivate a greater appreciation of Palestinian traditions, food and people. You will also discuss integral human rights issues with Palestinian and Israeli organizations, as well as observe first-hand the effects of occupation on the Palestinian economy, tourism and life.

More information about this trip is available on Reality Tours’ website.

3) WEBINAR “What is the State of Fair Trade & the Movement in N. America?”

Source: Fair Trade Resource Network

Webinar Coming June 12: Fair Trade Resource Network (FTRN) Webinar #123 is happening June 12 to discuss “What is the State of Fair Trade & the Movement in N. America?” The webinar is for the public to learn about recent developments and ask questions to 2 panelists:
1. Jeff Goldman, Fair Trade Resource Network, Executive Director
2. Sean McHugh, Canadian Fair Trade Network, Executive Director

More details on FTRN’s website.
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FAIR TRADE IN THE NEWS …

• The Independent: Willy Wonka goes to Davos: secretive world chocolate summit to decide snack’s future
• Fair Food: Calling on food companies to ‘open up’ their supply chains!
• Independent (Ireland): Healthy eating: Susan Jane White says bananas are good for guys, and Fairtrade ones are good for us all
• Retail Times: Sunmagic launches 200ml cartons of Fairtrade Orange Juice and juice drinks
• University of San Diego: Fair Trade: USD Recognized for Commitment to Social Justice and Sustainability
• ABC Online (Radio) Bean there, done that: Fair Trade coffee
• New Hope 360: Behind-the-scenes benefits of the Fair Trade label
• Triple Pundit: The Future of Fair Trade
• AP Associated Press/Bloomberg Businessweek: Fair trade purists cry foul at including big farms
• Co-operative News: Santiago Paz Speaks About Authentic Fair Trade

THE FAIR TRADE ROUNDUP AND YOU!
•    Subscribe to our Fair Trade blog to receive new Fair Trade blog posts automatically.
•    News to share? If you’ve got big Fair Trade news to share, email me.
•    Enjoy this Fair Trade Roundup? Then click the Share and Tweet buttons on the top right of this post to share with others. Thanks!

Mother's Day Gift Membership Package

This Mother’s Day (which is Sunday May 13^th in case it slipped your mind:) the folks here at Global Exchange are making it super easy for you to shower your Mom with Fair Trade love.

How, pray tell?

Well, our development team has put together a sweet package called the Mother’s Day Gift Membership Package. It’s a unique gift containing selections made by women for women.

Cool, huh?

The package comes with Fair Trade items from across the globe, and includes a one-year membership to Global Exchange. The membership alone usually costs $35 bucks, but you get the whole Mother’s Day package for just $50 bucks. So it’s actually a pretty sweet deal.

Here’s what the package includes:

• Customized Global Exchange tote bag from Handmade Expressions women’s Cooperative in India
• 3.3 oz. Fair Trade Earl Gray Tea from Rishi Tea
• Handcrafted necklace from Ember Arts Jewelry, made by women artisans from Ugandan refugee camps
• 3.5 oz. Fair Trade chocolate bar from Divine Chocolate, a cocoa cooperative from Ghana
• Women of the World CD from Putumayo Music
• 1 year membership to Global Exchange

Membership to Global Exchange includes the following benefits:

• 10% discount at our Fair Trade Stores
• Timely E-mail Action Alerts and Mailed Newsletter
• Free Entrance to the Green Festivals

Ordering is a breeze; you just go online here, fill out the shipping/payment info, then sit back and relax knowing your Mom is about to be showered with Fair Trade gifts from YOU!

So click here to give this special gift to your mom. Oh, and do it soon. The last day to order for guaranteed Mother’s Day delivery is May 7^th.

My mom and me on a ferris wheel. Circa 2009

To my mom and all the moms out there, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Fair Trade Mothers Day Gift Package

Mother’s Day Fair Trade Gift Membership Package

Mother’s Day is Sunday May 13th and the folks here at Global Exchange are making it super easy for you to shower your Mom with Fair Trade love. Our development team has put together a sweet gift idea called the Mother’s Day Fair Trade Gift Membership Package. It’s a unique gift package with Fair Trade selections made by women for women.

The package comes with Fair Trade items from across the globe, and includes a one-year membership to Global Exchange. The membership alone is usually $35 bucks, but you get the whole package for just $50 bucks.

Here’s what’s in the package; a customized Global Exchange tote bag from Handmade Expressions women’s cooperative in India, a box of Fair Trade earl grey tea from Rishi Tea, a handcrafted necklace from Ember Arts Jewelry made by women artisans from Ugandan refugee camps, a yummy 3.5 oz. Fair Trade chocolate bar from Divine Chocolate, a Women of the World CD from Putumayo Music, plus the 1 year membership to Global Exchange which comes with lots of additional benefits.

Ordering is a breeze; you just go online here. The last day to order for guaranteed Mother’s Day delivery is May 7th.

Finalists for “Best in Fair Trade” Awards 

Fair Trade Resource Network Executive Director Jeff Goldman shares news about the Best in Fair Trade Awards:

Congratulations to the 14 finalists of “Best in Fair Trade” Awards! Finalists were selected from 46 organizations suggested by 60 public nominations. Public voting to pick 1 winner for each category runs through today (April 30.) By May 5, we’ll announce the winners on our website.

FTRN created the contest since no awards existed to honor organizations across all major Fair Trade recognitions. Winners will be celebrated during World Fair Trade Day in May.

The 2012 Fair Trade Spring Gift Guide is Out

Thanks to Brittany Smith, Fair Trade Federation’s Administrative Assistant for sharing this one:

An exciting publication has been just released by the Fair Trade Federation (FTF).  Our 2012 Fair Trade Spring Gift Guide is a collection of Fair Trade gifts especially for Mother’s and Father’s Day.  These stylish gifts are handmade by craftspeople and farmers in developing countries and produced under fair trade principles.

All of the gifts in this guide are sold by fully committed Fair Trade Organizations — members of the Fair Trade Federation — so you can feel confident that they make a difference in lives of artisans and farmers around the world.  These gifts are a great way to show appreciation for parents, grandparents, and other loved ones this spring, while making a positive impact on mothers, fathers, and families across the globe.

FTF’s gift guide can be found here.  So all you Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gift Shoppers check out the 2012 Fair Trade Spring Gift Guide, a handy resource for spotting ethically produced gift ideas that rock.

World Fair Trade Day is Coming up Fast

World Fair Trade Day is the largest Fair Trade event of the year in N. America. So when is it?

World Fair Trade Day falls on May 12th this year, but events will be taking place from May 6-20th. According to FTRN, a record # of events and participants are expected for World Fair Trade Day 2012.

Here’s a great place to go if you’re looking to get involved in WFTD 2012.

FAIR TRADE IN THE NEWS …

• Co-operative News:  Starbucks first in Fairtrade fund to help farmer co-operatives
• DW (Deutsche Welle): Fair trade isn’t meant as a donation
• Easy Bay Express: Fair Trade USA’s Coffee Policy Comes Under Fire
• Ecologist: Ethical jewelry: what to ask and what to buy
• Entreprenuer.com: Fair Trade’s Growing Pains: Pivoting a Successful Model
• Fair Trade Judaica: Next Year – Fair Trade Kosher for Passover Chocolate
• Fresh Plaza: Fairtrade growing in Germany 
• Glam.com: Club Monaco’s Fair Trade Beach Boutique
• Global Exchange’s Fair Trade Blog: MADE IN CHINA…Or Is It? The Outsourcing Rabbit Hole
• Just Means: FLO, Fair Trade USA, and Starbucks: A Critique (Part 4)
• MarketWatch:  Fairtrade Access Fund To Provide Long-Term Loans To Smallholder Farmers
• MarketWatch: Hershey’s Second CSR Report Shows Substantial Progress on Sustainability Initiatives
  
• The Packer: Fair Trade USA produce imports post huge increase
• Treehugger: Fair Trade Chocolate, Tea, Spice and Coffee Sales Jump 75 Percent, Study Says

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