Welcome to Chicago Fair Trade

Chicago Fair Trade Global Links

Global Handmade Hope, one of our new business members this year, sources fair trade products from Rwanda. Learn more about these producers!

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Campaign to Make Chicago a Fair Trade City

Our fair trade resolution passed unanimously Feb 10th by the full council after getting support from the Finance Committee. This moves Chicago an important step closer to its goal to become a fair trade city! Goals of fair trade towns USA include:

City Council Resolution
Fair Trade available in local shops
Fair Trade at work places, schools, faith communities and community organizations
Media attention
Formation of local fair trade steering group

Rick Bayless Supports FT City Campaign: "To me, sustainability is an approach to life. It's about taking care of the earth, but it also includes the well-being of the people that live on it. Fair trade does both of these things. Supporting the campaign to make Chicago a 'Fair Trade City' means that we become part of a larger movement to ensure we know where products come from, and that they are sourced with both the producer's livelihood and sustainability in mind." Rick Bayless, chef and owner of Chicago's Frontera Grill and Topolobampo restaurants.

View Letter of Congratulations from Fair Trade London

We still need your help to move our campaign forward:

· Introduce fair trade products to your workplace, local school, congregation or hospital.

View current list

· Map neighborhood cafes and fair trade outlets around the city. View current list

Our thanks to those who testified in favor of the resolution: Charles Manuel, Trade Consul at the S. African Consulate, Joyce Coffee, speaker for the City's Department of Environment, Cindy Pardo, co-owner of The Fair Trader store, and Amy Ellison, Co-chair of Chicago Fair trade!

Our thanks to the Alderman who provided leadership: Alderman Joe Moore who advised us in the early stages of this effort, Alderman Toni Preckwinkle for introducing the resolution and the 24 Aldermen who were co-signers.

Testimony Charles Manuel, South African Consulate

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Highlights of 2009:

Globalfest October : View Photos!

Carter O'Brien: First ChangeMaker Award

Cynda Perun, second ChangeMaker, accepts her award

Check us out on Facebook! Member of:

Fair Trade Resolution

Be sure to contact your Alderman to thank him or her for their support and suggest they begin serving fair trade coffee and tea in their office!

READ THE RESOLUTION

CONTACT YOUR ALDERMAN

Send Congratulations to Mayor Daley :

Global recognition of Chicago as a leader in Fair Trade is an important step for the Chicago. Remind Mayor Daley of these benefits with your personal letter of congratulations!

Fair Trade Sports Balls

Hurray for Chicago Soccer, the first sports store in Chicago to carry fair trade certified soccer balls! Previously they were only available at Green Heart Shop (where you can get the full line of sports balls) and on the web. Become part of Fair Play, our project to bring educational presentations about sports balls to schools and youth groups. Contact our volunteer coordinator, Beth Connor, at beth@8thdaycenter.org

Did you know that 70% of sports balls are prduced in Pakistan? Fair Trade sports balls guarantee a fair wage and that no child labor is used in production - here's another chance for you and your family to connect with a part of the world that needs the stability that fair trade brings. Check this out on YOUTUBE

Here's a profile story of Brazia
Buy Fair Trade Sports Balls