October is Fair Trade Month!

This October is 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.

One of the biggest events that takes place during Fair Trade Month is Reverse Trick or Treating, headed by San Francisco based Global Exchange. Instead of the usual Halloween routine, tables are turned and trick-or-treaters will be handing 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. To participate, order your FREE kit by the upcoming deadline of Oct 17th!

Just launched this month by Fair Trade USA, the US certifier for fair trade importers, is the Fair Trade Finder which is 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. We hope you will join Fair Trade San Diego in raising local awareness for fair trade by adding your favorite San Diego fair trade hot spots.

Also don’t forget to stop by this Sunday, October 16th at the La Mesa Fair Trade Gift Faire at St Martin of Tours Catholic Church at 7710 El Cajon Blvd, La Mesa between 8am and 1pm to celebrate local fair trade vendors and continue the celebration of Fair Trade Month here in San Diego.