The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) celebrates World Fair Trade Day on the second day of May as a global event drawing support from many different types of organizations that share common goals.
To name a few of these goals: improving economic conditions for disadvantaged producers; improving working conditions; paying a fair price for goods and services; helping to establish gender equity, and achieving accountability and transparency.
Coffee plays an important role in the economy since coffee is second to petroleum; worldwide, in terms of the total number of beans sold which is the main source of revenues for millions of people around the world. In celebration of this special day, there are literally hundreds of local events that take place in the US in what is commonly referred to as Fair Trade Coffee Breaks. By the way, these are not your everyday “coffee breaks.” Instead, they are community programs featuring music, coffee trade films, food, fashions, eco culture from different countries and ethnic groups, contests, children’s games and many family activities. They can be a great way to spend a day and could be taking place in your local area.
These “coffee break” events are a great opportunity to taste coffees featured on site and to learn about coffee culture from displays and shows featured at different sites. The list of events is almost endless. Some examples include:
Oakwood’s Fair (Poughkeepsie, NY): family activities, educational films, music, and food.
WFTD Celebration (Burlington, VT): this event includes a bikers race to Washington, DC, promoting WFTO goals along the bike route. On site, music and dance performances, coffee sack contest, food and games.
University of Maryland (College Park, MD): coffee tasting, sports, music and other events.
Fair Trade Celebration (Columbus, GA): music, coffee, gift shopping.
Lake Eola Fola Farmers Market Fair Trade Wine Tasting (Orlando, FL): live music, food, crafts, wine and coffee.
St Michael’s Church Third Annual Fair Trade Festival (Cary, NC): samples of coffee, coffee, tea, chocolate, games, music, children’s activities, and crafts.
5th Annual Craftsman House Teapot Show (St Petersburg, FL): artists, crafts, handmade teapots, coffee, tea, mints, chocolate, and music.
World’s Biggest Coffee Break (Maumee,OH): listed in the Guinness Book of World records, this event features gifts, coffee, tea, hand-made products and more.
Chicago Fair Trade Celebrates Becoming A Fair Trade City (Chicago, IL): gifts, coffees, chocolate, world music and family programs.
Midwest Fair Trade Fest (Columbus, OH): an all day festival featuring a global marketplace, local and international music, dance, food and conference speakers.
The Merc Coop (Lawrence, KS): films, coffee samples, tabletops sponsored by local groups, music and family activities.
Fair Trade Quinoa Tabouleh & Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies) in San Luis Obispo, CA: at Cal Poly State University. Cooking demos featuring fair trade products such as vanilla, sugar, Cal Poly chocolate, coffee and other organic foods. Music and other activities.
Heart Of The City Raffle (Fort Atkinson, WI): coffee, gift baskets, music and family activities, gardening themes.
Guardian Angels Catholic Church (Oakdale, MN): featuring films such as “Black Gold” and the “Dark Side of Chocolate.” Family activities, coffee sampling, and music.
