Fair Trade Towns USA

Fair Trade Towns USA is an exciting new initiative that brings together local businesses, schools, communities of faith and nonprofit organizations to grow the fair trade movement and achieve special recognition for communities that value Fair Trade.

Fair Trade Towns mobilizes communities to create a better world and a deeper commitment to fair trade in their area through outreach to retailers, increasing consumer awareness in stores, and the education of children and adults about the producers who grow and make the things we buy.

The Fair Trade Towns movement in the U.S. finds its inspiration in a similar movement in the United Kingdom, where the first Fair Trade Town was recognized in 2000. There are now over 700 Fair Trade Towns in 18 countries and the movement is growing every day.

The five criteria for being recognized as a Fair Trade Town are:

• A local Fair Trade steering committee is formed that meets on a regular basis with the aim of increasing awareness of and demand for fair trade products through outreach and events.
• A range of Fair Trade products are available in local stores, cafes and other venues including both Fair Trade Certified products and products sold by retailers that are a member of the Fair Trade Federation.
• Fair Trade products are used by a number of local organizations, such as places of worship, schools, hospitals and businesses.
• The local campaign attracts media attention and visible public support including press and radio
• The town or city council passes a resolution supporting Fair Trade and the local campaign.

Fair Trade Towns campaigns are sprouting up all over the United States and already 13 towns have declared since Media, PA first began organizing in 2005, including Brattleboro, VT; Milwaukee, WI; Amherst, MA; Taos, NM; Northampton, MA; San Francisco, CA; Montclair, NJ; Ballston Spa, NY; Chico, CA; Bluffton, OH; Burlington, VT and Highland Park, NJ. Dozens more campaigns and coalitions in towns and cities of all sizes are already underway with new initiatives starting every day.

Ready to make your town the next Fair Trade Town? Check out our allies for inspiration and register to kick off your campaign with a Fair Trade event today! Starting your own local Fair Trade Towns initiative? Tell us about it by clicking the "Tell Us Your Story" button above.

For more information or help in identifying potential allies in your area please contact Billy Linstead Goldsmith, 510-844-1414, blinsteadgoldsmith@fairtradetownsusa.org or visit the Fair Trade Towns USA website at: www.fairtradetownsusa.org