World Fair Trade Day is an international celebration of the worldwide effort to create a global economy based on justice, dignity and sustainability. This year, on and around May 13th, Fair Trade supporters worldwide will celebrate the many ways that Fair Trade creates economic opportunity and development for people and communities most disadvantaged by conventional trade.

This year's theme is the unique role of Fair Trade organizations, which range from producer and consumer cooperatives, shops and collectives to advocacy groups, unions, producer groups, NGO's, and regional and national networks. World Fair Trade Day calls on all of us to celebrate Fair Trade organizations, buy more Fair Trade goods and encourage conventional companies to sell more Fair Trade products.

Here are ten ways to celebrate World Fair Day:

1. Educate yourself and your community. Read up on Fair Trade on the Café Campesino website or visit the About Fair Trade page of the Fair Trade Federation's website. Display copies of the Café Campesino catalog at your church or office. Make your own posters or leaflets and help spread the message!

2. Buy Fair Trade Products. Be informed when buying products. Fair Trade products help disadvantaged artisans and farmers lift themselves out of poverty. Fair Trade only works if empowered consumers buy Fair Trade products!

3. Take Part in World Fair Trade Day Events. The Fair Trade concept/movement will be celebrated worldwide throughout May. Attend an event to learn more about Fair Trade and how you can actively contribute to the Fair Trade movement. There are World Fair Trade events happening throughout the country, or check out Community Caravan for events that Café Campesino is either taking part in or hosting.

4. Hold Your Own Fair Trade Day Event. Sponsor your own event at a local library, conduct a "teach in" at an educational institution or promote Fair Trade at a business event. Download a handy Fair Trade Day kit to get started.

5. Make plans to host (at some future date) a Fair Trade Fair featuring fairly traded handcrafts, coffee, tea and chocolate from around the world. Every sale benefits the artisans and farmers who made the items—and your parish and community members get high-quality products. Contact our own Three Frontiers Trading Company at info@cafecampesino.com.to find out how to include products from Café Campesino and Three Frontiers Trading Company.

6. Host a Fair Trade coffee hour/coffee break at your church or office. Brew up a pot of Café Campesino coffee and share information about Fair Trade with your friends and colleagues.

7. Start a Fair Trade Buying Club so members can purchase Fair Trade coffee, tea and cocoa to use in their homes and offices. Surf on over to Café Campesino’s Coffee Club information on how to join.

8. Write a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper about the benefits of Fair Trade.

9. Organize your campus, community, local schools, and faith-based groups with the Fair Trade Action Pack (PDF) from Global Exchange. Advocate for Fair Trade in campus dining halls, businesses, companies, faith-based groups, workplaces, and more. Ask your local grocery stores and cafés to carry Café Campesino coffee, tea and cocoa.

10. Stock up on Fair Trade gifts for upcoming special occasions—weddings, confirmations, baptisms, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. Our own Three Frontiers Trading Company has some excellent ideas. Check out the Three Frontiers website or stop by their Christmas in July sale at Rylander Park on May 13th (see Community Caravan)

For other Fair Trade resources, check out the list offered on the Fair Trade Resource Network website.

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