Local Advocacy

Advocacy around fair trade can take many forms. While buying fair trade products is a direct endorsement of equitable trading relationships, you can also make an impact by raising awareness and organizing or joining with other like-minded fair trade advocates. Below are just some of the many options to encourage fair trade in your local community. 

1) Promote fair trade among local retailers. Visit shop keepers in your community, such as coffee houses and independent boutiques - go prepared to discuss the benefits of and growing demand for fair trade products. To get started, visit the Fair Trade Resource Network for the basic information you’ll need when speaking to local merchants.

2) Write a letter to the editor of your local paper. Newspapers may be declining, but they are still an incredibly effective way to get the word out on important causes like fair trade. Check out the Learn section of our website for information that can help you craft your letter, or ask us to send you a sample letter.

3) Organize to make your community a fair trade town. There are already 10 localities in the U.S. - and counting - that have achieved the five major guidelines required to become a certified fair trade town. Among the guidelines are a minimum number of local fair trade vendors, a certain number of organizations and social groups that use fair trade products at their events and an ordinance passed by the town council in support of fair trade. For more information, check out the organizers of the national campaign.

4) Look for a Fair Trade Network near you! Many areas in the country already have their own organizations advocating for fair trade on a local level. TransFair USA keeps a comprehensive list of local fair trade networks here - maybe there’s one near you! If not, think about starting your own network.