The Only Monthly Digest of News About FLO, FTF, IMO, WFTO and Advocacy

Over 300 World Fair Trade Day events took place in the US & Canada from May 1-15. North America has already involved over 50,000 people - and we're still counting! See scores of WFTD photos from around the US and Canada.

See listings of the US & Canada events at the Events Calendar.

Visit WFTD to see the updated attendance count.

WFTD has been supported by the following:

Major Sponsors -  Ben & Jerry's, Catholic Relief Services, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, Fair Trade Apparel, Fair Trade Towns USA, Fair Trade USA, Green America, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Lucuma Designs and Wholesome Sweeteners

Regular Sponsors - Fair for Life Social & Fairtrade Certified, Fair World Project, Global Exchange, Indigenous Designs, Maggie's Organics, Theo Chocolate and WorldofGood.com by eBay

Partners - Alaffia Sustainable Skin Care, Alternatives Global Marketplace, CoffeeCSA.org, Ecoseed, Fair Trade Colombia,

Fair Trade Spirits, Fair Trade Sports, Ganesh Himal Trading 

Grounds for Change, The Hoop Fund, Jolica, La Chiwinha, Made By Hand International, MacroSun International, Mindful Hands and

Partners for Just Trade 

Chicago FTT advocates

Chicago Fair Trade coalition and city residents celebrated May 6 in Daley Plaza to commemorate Chicago's newest claim to fame. "We applaud the work that Chicago Fair Trade has done to build a network of citizens and businesses committed to social justice, environmental sustainability and the empowerment of farmers in the developing world," said William Linstead Goldsmith, National Coordinator of Fair Trade Towns USA. "Meeting the criteria to become a Fair Trade Town was not an easy feat for such a big city, but Chicago has proven that it's possible, and the city has set an example for other large metropolitan areas to follow."

The campaign to make Chicago a Fair Trade town has been underway for more than two years, an effort let by Nancy Jones, director of Chicago Fair Trade. Jones added, "As strategies for global stability are being re-assessed, we think the city's commitment to Fair Trade sends a significant message to our global trade partners that we are concerned about their development as well as our own." Chicago Fair Trade is a nonprofit organization made up of individuals, businesses, students and NGO's that are committed to raising awareness and support for Fair Trade within their community in order to make a larger impact on farming communities abroad.

There are now 21 Fair Trade Towns in the United States, including Boston, San Francisco, Madison, Burlington and Milwaukee. On June 4, 2011 the global Fair Trade community will celebrate the naming of the 1,000th Fair Trade Town. There are currently 40 active campaigns to create additional Fair Trade Towns in the United States, including campaigns in Austin, Oakland, Los Angeles and Seattle.

More at Chicago Fair Trade,or Fair Trade Towns USA.

10 BUSINESSES JOIN FTF AND FTF AWARDS GIVEN 

Since the end of March, 10 businesses became members of the Fair Trade Federation. See new members. Also, FTF announced the 3 winners of its annual awards.