What is a FAIR TRADE TOWN?

FAIR TRADE TOWN is a status awarded by Fair Trade Towns, USA describing an area which is committed to the promotion of Fair Trade certified goods. In order to be awarded Fair Trade status, an area must meet five criteria:
1. Local council passes a resolution supporting Fair Trade, and agrees to serve Fair Trade tea and coffee at its meetings and in its offices and canteens.
2. A range of (at least two) Fair Trade products is readily available in the area’s shops and local cafés/catering establishments.
3. Fair Trade products are used by a number of local work places (real estate agents, hairdressers, etc) and community organizations (churches, schools, etc)
4. Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign.
5. Establish a local Fair Trade steering group to ensure continued commitment to its Fair Trade Town status.

World Fair Trade Day (WFTD), the 2nd Saturday in May each year, is the largest Fair Trade event of the year in North America, and events take place May 4-19 in 2013. Around 100,000 people attend hundreds of celebrations to promote Fair Trade and campaign for trade justice together with farmers & artisans. WFTD itself falls on May 11.

Every year, individuals as well as organizations host nearly 1000 events in the U.S. & Canada, such as festivals, fashion shows, speeches, food and drink tastings, film showings, sports games, neighborhood crawls, and concerts, as part of WFTD. The more people participate in World Fair Trade Day, the more difference we can make. With over 1,000,000 producers around the world already benefiting from Fair Trade, it’s time to raise our voices and vote with our dollars until all trade is fair! We gather North American citizens, businesspeople, faith advocates, students, consumers and activists to celebrate the people who grow our food and produce our goods.

Photos & Videos from May 2012 at WFTD 2012 Facebook gallery.