Fair Trade: News & Updates

Join us at John Carroll University for the annual Ohio Fair Trade Expo, the state’s premier gathering for fair trade supporters, advocates, retailers, and ethical vendors. Building on the incredible energy of past years, this in-person event is a celebration of our vibrant local movement for global justice. Throughout the day, you can shop unique, ethically sourced goods at our bustling Global Marketplace, gain fresh insights from engaging educational presentations, and bring the whole family along for our hands-on Fair Trade Around the World kids' program. Come connect with fellow changemakers and help drive Ohio's fair trade movement forward!

To purchase tickets, click here

And please share our event online: https://www.facebook.com/share/1913p3Qauv/

Live Zoom Event

Equal Exchange and the Midterms:​
A first in 40 years

The U.S. democratic system is under sustained, ongoing, historical threat from one party that has been captured by a cult of personality. Many of our major institutions (media, political parties, corporations, universities) have shown themselves to be unwilling or unable in the task of defending democracy. Smaller institutions therefore need to do this work.

Please join us for an evening of discussion and reflection on Cooperative Culture!

The world we live in greatly favors domination culture. We see this culture in our work places, in our government, in our schools, and even in some of our houses of worship. We are constantly presented with organizational structures that divide, and alienate us. Ways of living and working that focus on control, authority, and management.

We’re excited to announce that Equal Exchange will be donating a portion of their sales to IRTF when you shop their online store during 2026. 

To shop Equal Exchange click here. Find organic and fairly traded coffees, teas, chocolate, cocoa, nuts, dried fruits, and even olive oil—all from small farmer co-ops, available by the case for stocking up.

Promo code:  IRTFDonate . Enter this code when you check out and Equal Exchange will donate 10% of your purchase back to IRTF!

Equal Exchange was founded as a solidarity organization in 1986 to support small farmers in Nicaragua by importing their coffee despite the US embargo.  Forty years later, this worker-owned co-op continues to prove that a more democratic food system is possible.

To shop Equal Exchange click here

Join Equal Exchange on June 12 for their annual Summit!

to regsiter click here

Join Equal Exchange at One World Shop on May 16, 2026 at 4:30 PM (Eastern Time) for a fun and eye-opening talk about how fair trade is changing farmers' lives. Stick around for a tasting session where you can sample some amazing fair trade coffee & chocolate. It's a great chance to learn, enjoy, and support a good cause in a relaxed setting. See you there!

Register at EventBrite.

 Celebrate 7 years of Cleveland Owns at our Annual Celebration: Growing the Fruits of our Labor!

How can members of a community take back control of the resources that shape their lives? Join us on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 7:00-8:30pm ET, for a free webinar with co-op developer and community organizer Jonathan Welle to explore this question.

to register click here