What Can I Do?

Think about it.

Practice thinking globally. When you hold your coffee cup, purse, chocolate bar or t-shirt think about whose hands it has passed through. Think about those people’s work and lifestyle; if you pray then maybe pray for them. Let your mind wander to the people who have built your surroundings. Learn more about what trade is and how you are already a part of it.

Discuss it.

Ask other people if they know about Fair Trade and what their thoughts are on it. Talk about it casually when you share tea with a friend or with your cashier when you buy chocolate. Create awareness around you.

Shop it.

Let your purchases reflect your values.Begin to make one or two changes in your routine shopping list, try a new coffee in the mornings, make a Fair Trade tea basket as a gift or bring Fair Trade chocolate to movie night. Be intentional about what you buy. Visit our “Links” page for more information on retailers.

Request it.

If you aren’t finding sufficient amounts of Fair Trade products in your stores or cafés, ask for it. Simply fill out a comment card, ask the cashier or manager, or call or email the corporate office. Stores and cafés want to know what their customers want. One or two customers can make a large difference.

Live it.

Choose to not purchase non-fairly traded products, make regular phone calls to local stores letting them know the values you shop by, sign or start petitions for your local markets, continue to learn and share with those around you.

Join GIFT!

Visit us at any of our meetings or events! Contact fairtradelv@yahoo.com for more information.