Fair Trade for Thanksgiving!

Information from this alert came from Co-op America .
Posted November 6, 2004

This November 20th, join us in a day of action to make this Thanksgiving a celebration of justice, hope, and prosperity for farmers and artisans worldwide.

November 20th, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, is one of the busiest grocery shopping days of the year. And this year, concerned individuals, businesses, student groups, faith congregations, and community-based organizations are joining together to also make this a day to celebrate and promote Fair Trade.

Co-op America , the Chicago Fair Trade Coalition, the Fair Trade Resource Network, and Oxfam America are asking people all across the country to put Fair Trade products on their shopping list for the holidays -- whether they are buying coffee, tea, or chocolate to serve at their holiday meal, or they are purchasing gifts for friends and family.

What You Can Do on November 20th!

1) Shop Fair Trade

When you go to the supermarket on November 20th, make sure you put Fair Trade coffee, tea, chocolate, and fresh fruits such as bananas, pineapples, and mangoes on your grocery list. Look for the Fair Trade Certified (TM) label. To find stores that carry Fair Trade Certified(TM) products, visit TransFair USA 's web site, www.fairtradecertified.org.

If you are considering purchasing household or gift items for your Thanksgiving celebration, make your purchases from members of the Fair Trade Federation. Visit www.fairtradefederation.com to learn more.

2) Ask for Fair Trade.

Fill out a customer comment card and ask for Fair Trade products. Even if your store carries some products, ask them to do more! You can send a letter to your supermarket. Send a electronic letter to the following major supermarket chains, Cos tco , Safeway, Albertson's, Whole Foods, Target, Kroger, by going to www.fairtradeaction.org and clicking on "Promote Fair Trade for Thanksgiving."

3) Get Your Community Involved. Download our November 20th Action Guide (from www.fairtradeaction.org to help with your own community action.

a) Help spread the word! Get members of your student organization, faith congregation, or community group to pass out information about Fair Trade. Order copies of our Fair Trade Guide. Email fairtrade@coopamerica.org or call 1-800-58-GREEN.

b) Hold a letter writing drive. Get people in your community to send letters to your local supermarket asking them to carry more Fair Trade products. You can mail the letters to the corporate headquarters or deliver them to the store manager of your area store. Download our sample letter.

c) Host a Fair Trade coffee tasting or chocolate tasting. Bring great-tasting Fair Trade goods to your workplace, faith congregation, or to a community event. While people stop for a cup of coffee or a chocolate sample, encourage them to buy Fair Trade coffee, tea, chocolate and more for their Thanksgiving celebrations. At your tasting, you can also display Fair Trade crafts.

Get free copies of Co-op America 's Fair Trade Guide for your meeting or event. Email your name, address, and quantity desired to fairtrade@coopamerica.org. Or call 1-800-58-GREEN to order by phone.

Go to www.fairtradeaction.org to locate a store near you that carries Fair Trade Certified™ products.