Over 60,000 people celebrated at more than 240 events across North America!

Once again, World Fair Trade Day was the largest Fair Trade event of the year in N. America. FTRN coordinated the campaign in N. America. World Fair Trade Day, May 8, 2010, was an international celebration and promotion of Fair Trade. Events were held in over 80 countries.

Businesses, nonprofit organizations, churches, student groups, civic associations, stores and activists hosted events - including Fair Trade food tastings, talks, music concerts, fashion shows and much more - to promote Fair Trade and campaign for trade justice together with farmers & artisans. Some key events in N. America included:

Poughkeepsie, NY- Fair Trade Mall Initiative

An effort to make Poughkeepsie Plaza the First Fair Trade Mall, has been able to get 285 signatures in support of fair trade. During a WFTD Fair, over 2,000 people attended.

Vancouver, BC, Canada - Guest Speakers

Several events celebrated Vancouver’s recently becoming the first major city in Canada to achieve Fair Trade Town status.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Product Fair

Celebrants enjoyed coffee, crafts and information about Fair Trade at a bilingual English / Spanish expo. Fair Trade Colombia also hosted two online conferences for WFTD with 120 people in Colombia, South America, who wanted to learn more about Fair Trade!

San Francisco, CA - Bike to Work Day

Over 5000 people participated in Fair Trade events during Bike to Work day, another 400 in Fair Trade Wine Night, and another 100 in the Fair Trade Berkeley Farmers’ Market with Divine Chocolate Farmers.

Norman, OK - Soccer and Picnic

During a picnic, an attendee reads “Think Fair Trade First!” while celebrating Norman’s new Fair Trade Town declaration with Fair Trade frisbee, chocolate and coffee.

Milwaukee, WI - Fair Trade Town Crawl

Around 500 people moved from place to place, visiting around 20 stores that celebrated WFTD for Milwaukee’s Third Annual Fair Trade Crawl.

U.S. - Ten Thousand Villages store celebrations

72 stores in many states hosted WFTD events that involved over 25,000 participants!

Canada - Ten Thousand Villages store celebrations

30 stores across Canada hosted WFTD events that involved over 5200 participants.

Long Beach, CA - Street Fair

Around 2500 people enjoyed pan flute music, dance performances and free coffee during this event which launched Long Beach’s Fair Trade Town coalition.

Fair Trade My Home

World Fair Trade Day in N. America was accompanied by the theme, “Fair Trade My Home.”

When we expand Fair Trade at home, we not only support the people who make the items we consume and enjoy, we also support the environment, women’s rights, children’s rights, cultural dignity and peace building. That’s a powerful thing to do by committing to use Fair Trade items at home.

Commit to expanding your use of Fair Trade soap, sugar, clothes, toys, coffee, chocolate, baskets, picture frames, bananas, rice, tea, soccer balls, flowers, wine and more! High quality, Fair Trade products are available for every room in your home. Retail sales in the U.S. of Fair Trade products surpassed $1 billion per year.