Thanks to everyone who showed their support for a just, alternative economy by attending the Ohio Fair Trade Teach-In and Expo 2023 at John Carroll on October 7. We were really pleased by the large turn-out and the sales generated to provide vital income to fair trade artisans and farmers in the Global South. Special thanks to all our co-sponsors and volunteers (especially John Carroll students) who made this event possible. A big shout-out to the students from five schools (members of Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice) who modeled in our Fair Trade Fashion Show.
We’d love to hear your feedback. Could you take a couple of minutes to fill out this evaluation form? This will help us with planning for next year. Thank you.
In case you missed our educational forum with guests from Oaxaca, Mexico, and the University of Kentucky, here is a link to the recording of the webinar--enter Passcode: ^Xc3VKnk . They did a fantastic job of making the connections among native peoples’ reverence for the earth, sustainable agroecology, and women’s empowerment.
Here are some fresh fair trade announcements for Fair Trade Month.
1) Did you know that October is Fair Trade Month? FairTrade America and FairTrade Canada have partnered to bring us a series of info sessions, a digital campaign and info for retailers that we hope you can share in your community. Spread the word! Choose Fair Trade!
2) Celebrate Fairtrade Month by entering FairTrade America’s raffle for your chance to win a delightful prize pack filled with ethical and sustainable products made following our rigorous Fairtrade Standards. This giveaway includes a mural print, items from Ben & Jerry’s, Equal Exchange and Kicking Horse Coffee, a Fairtrade tote and a Fairtrade-branded lunch bag. We’re also including a Cuisinart food processor (y’know, for using Fairtrade ingredients in your favorite recipes)! Click here to enter by October 31, 2023.
3) One World Shop, a nonprofit store in Cleveland, is holding its online auction now (Oct 17-22). Your bids not only bring beautiful, ethically sourced products into your life but also empower artisans from around the world. And don't miss the chance to bid on a romantic date night with the Cleveland Pops, available right now!
4) Have you seen the new Maple Cocoa and Organic Dark hot cocoa mixes from Equal Exchange ? When you order by October 31, enter the promo code: SWEETTREAT to get 10% off.
5) Halloween is just around the corner. Big Chocolate still depends on the labor of the 1.5 million kids who work the cacao plantations in Ghana and Côte d’Ivôire. The problem has long been visible, and Big Chocolate isn't doing enough to stop it. Fortunately, we have an alternative. Equal Exchange chocolate is sourced from cacao grown on small farmer cooperative farms. The supply chain is 100% traceable and clean. When you order your Equal Exchange chocolates by October 20, use the promo code FAIRFALL23 to get 10% off Equal Exchange products.
6) Equal Exchange chocolate bars are listed among Sustainable Jungle’s eco-friendly candy for Halloween. Explore the sweet side of sustainable food. Click here to read about all 6 brands highlighted by Sustainable Jungle.
7) Meet fair trade farmers! FairTrade America is hosting the online program “This is the Future of Farming – A Conversation with the Next Generation of Farmers” on October 25 at 12pm EDT. Join the candid conversation with Ana Polo Aguilar, a banana farmer from Ecuador, Felix Tetteh, a cocoa farmer from Ghana, and Zuly Granados, a coffee farmer from Guatemala. Register free here.
8) Marketing and merchandising play important roles in ensuring the sustainability of food cooperatives. Learn more with Equal Exchange on October 25 at 1pm EDT. Register free here.
9) Fair trade and other alternative trade organizations (ATOs) like Equal Exchange work with small producers to create markets for their products. Hear from avocado producer Gustavo Vallejo Esquivel, who is president and member of the PRAGOR organic cooperative in Michoacán, Mexico. Join the webinar free on November 8, 12pm EST by clicking here
10) Learn about the cooperative movement in Honduras. In Cleveland on Sunday, November 12, IRTF will host Blanca Valladares from Red Comal, a national association of co-ops in Honduras. See more about this celebration of human rights (hybrid in-person/virtual event) at commemoration2023.eventbrite.com
THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS COMING UP
The holiday season is approaching! Would you like to host a fair trade bazaar at your school, community group, or place of worship? We’re here to help you organize it! Just let us know: OhioFairTrade@irtfcleveland.org or (216) 961 0003
Shop Fair Trade Ohio! We hope that as the holiday season approaches, you’ll ask your friends and family to support these fair trade vendors who were represented at the Ohio Fair Trade Expo:
Amani Beads
https://amani-market.square.site/
Canaan Fair Trade
Esperanza Threads
Esperanzathreads.com
Global Ties Akron
https://globaltiesakron.org/ at https://www.northsidemarketplace.com/
Holy Land Handcraft Society
https://holyland-handicraft.org/new/en/
IRTF: InterReligous Task Force on Central America
https://www.irtfcleveland.org/
INTO – The Hope Collection
Joyce’s Boutique
https://joycesboutiquehairsalon.myshopify.com/
Lavender Project
(no website)
MexicoConectaEnEspanol@gmail.com
One World Shop
https://one-world-shop-cleveland.myshopify.com/
Revy Fair Trade
Santa Rosa Stitches
https://santarosastitches.com/
Shema Global
Silk Road Market
Storehouse Tea
The Market Path
https://themarketpath.com/index.html
Women of the Cloud Forest
https://womenofthecloudforest.com/
Thank you for supporting fair trade and other alternative trade organizations.
Thank you to our co-sponsors of the Ohio Fair Trade Teach-In and Expo 2023:
Church of St Dominic, Church of the Gesu, Community of St Peter, Dover Congregational United Church of Christ, Equal Exchange, Fair Trade Federation, Ignatian Solidarity Network, InterReligious Task Force on Central America, INTO, John Carroll University, Kahiniwalla, Malia Designs, One World Shop, Presbytery of the Western Reserve, Revy Fair Trade, The Market Path
