News, Events & Blogs

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News, announcements, events and blogs related to the fair trade movement.

Grace Gardner and Her Work with the Children in Santa Cruz, La Laguna, Guatemala

Imagine living in a remote community where you have little education and a constant threat of hunger, and you hear that a deadly virus is now surrounding your village. The residents of Santa Cruz, La Laguna, Guatemala face that condition today and need your help.

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- FTPHL Team (5.25.2020)

What Is Fair Trade Fashion and What Makes it Different From The Fast Fashion Industry We Know Today?

Getting a great deal on a dress or a pair of shoes may feel good in the moment, feeling as if our money was spent wisely and now we can look great for half the price. However, there is much more behind the price of our clothing that we as consumers should be more conscious about. The objective of this article is to give insight on the negative side effects of the fast fashion industry and shed light on the positive impacts Fair Trade fashion has on our communities and environment.

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- Sylta (04.10.2020)

"Fair Her"

Drexel University’s Women in Business group at Le Bow School of Business in collaboration with the Fair Trade Philadelphia group hosted an event, “Fair Her” on November 6th at Drexel University to generate awareness about fair trade practices among the Drexel community.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019
6:00pm to 8:00pm at Le Bow School of Business of Drexel University

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- FTPHL Team (11.23.2019)

Made in Philadelphia: 2019 Fall Market at the Dilworth Plaza

We, Fair Trade Philadelphia, are made in the city of Brotherly Love, a 43rd Fair Trade Town in 2015. Our efforts were recognized at City Hall on Oct. 15, 2015.

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- FTPHL Team (10.16.2019)

Save the Date! Greenfest 2019

FTPHL will have its annual presence at the event! We'll be retailing an assortment of Fair Trade items from local Fair Trade retailers. Come visit our booth and say hello! More information to come.

Sunday, September 8, 2019
10:00am to 4:00pm at Bainbridge St., between 3rd and 5th streets, Philadelphia
Facebook Event
Greenfest web site

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- FTPHL Team (08.17.2019)

Fair Trade Spices: Building Equitable Supply Chains For Farmers and Cooks

Join chef and activist entrepreneur, Ethan Frisch, cofounder of Burlap & Barrel, for a discussion about spices, spice sourcing, and building new supply chains to connect smallholder spice farmers with high value markets. Supply chains for spices have unfortunately changed very little over the centuries since the colonial spice trade - until now.

Wednesday, September 4, 2019
6:00pm to 7:30pm at Philadelphia City Institute Free Library, 1905 Locust St., Philadelphia
Facebook Event

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- FTPHL Team (08.17.2019)

General Body Meeting (August 2019)

The next General Body Meeting will be Wednesday, August 21. Come join us as we continue planning innovative ways to promote Fair Trade throughout the Philadelphia region. We'll be discussing plans for the upcoming Fair Trade Spices and Greenfest events. We will also look further ahead to the potential of participating in the Fall Market at Dilworth Plaza.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Friends Center, 1501 Cherry St

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- FTPHL Team (08.17.2019)

FTPHL Summer BBQ

Last month, we convened at Rachel's shared community space to take a step back from our work and celebrate the burgeoning local Fair Trade movement. Members contributed a wide assortment of potluck dishes and beverages, with many Fair Trade choices in the mix. We had a very enjoyable time learning more about one another and discovering shared passions and interests.

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- FTPHL Team (08.01.2019)

Fair Trade & Social Justice Networking Night

Are you interested in working in fair trade or furthering your career path in social justice? Join Fair Trade Philadelphia on Wednesday, June 19 at 6:30pm for an evening of discussion and networking.

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- FTPHL Team (06.06.2019)

Made in Philadelphia: 2018 Fall Market at the Dilworth Plaza

We, Fair Trade Philadelphia, are made in the city of Brotherly Love, a 43rd Fair Trade Town in 2015. Our efforts were recognized at City Hall on Oct. 15, 2015.

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- FTPHL Team (8.12.2018)

Chocolate Industry Petition


Fair Trade Philadelphia has launched a petition among our members to advocate for transparency and better working conditions for those in the chocolate industry.

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- Barbara Donnini (10.3.2017)

Fair Trade Short Films

What do soccer balls, bananas, coconut oil, and clothing all have in common? Join Fair Trade Philadelphia for a film show t Friends Center on Wednesday, August 29 at 6:30pm to find out!

Location changed to: Rufus Jones room at Friends Center (1501 Cherry St, Philadephia, PA 19102)

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- FTPHL Team (8.2.2018)

Philly Greenfest 2018

What do soccer balls, bananas, coconut oil, and clothing all have in common? Join Fair Trade Philadelphia for a film show in Old City on Wednesday, August 29 at 6:30pm to find out!

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- FTPHL Team (8.2.2018)

Fair Trade Coffee Social

On the first Sunday of each month, the FTPHL community gathers to enjoy some Fair Trade beverages.

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- FTPHL Team (8.2.2018)

Sizzling Summer '18

Our Summer '18 newsletter discusses upcoming events, our fair trade coffee social and chocolate industry petition.

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- FTPHL Team (8.2.2018)

What Does Fair Trade Fashion Look Like?

The Fashion Revolution has come. Through films, a talk and a display of outfits, we will discover the state of the fashion world.

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- Hai Thai (3.22.2018)

Coffee Roasting Demonstration

FTPHL visited Philly Fair Trade Roasters with Joe Cesa during the coffee roasting demonstration.

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- Bhawna Kasliwal (05.08.2017)

Looking for Women’s Shoes, Tops, Dresses, Socks and alike, Experience of FTPHL members

So far, I have not been able to find fair trade certified socks, shoes, tops, pants or dresses yet in the Philadelphia stores. Let us know if you find them! So, for those items, I go online.

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- Bhawna Kasliwal (4.29.2017)

World Fair Trade Day Coffee Break Challenge

Fair Trade Philadelphia participated in the World Fair Trade Day 2016 by doing the World Fair Trade Coffee Break Challenge with Ten Thousand Villages, Center City Philadelphia.

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- Barbara Donnini (5.14.2016)

Fair Trade Sheets & Linens from Boll & Branch

Boll & Branch makes linens and sheets from organic cotton produced by Indian farmers who are paid a fair wage for their work.

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- Barbara Donnini (6.20.2016)

Walking Tour Spring 2016

Our second annual walking tour!

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- Barbara Donnini (4.24.2016)

Sustainable Consumerism Event at Penn State Brandywine

Bryan represents Fair Trade Philadelphia at Penn State Brandywine’s "Sustainable Consumerism" event.

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- Barbara Donnini (4.24.2016)

Philly City Council Passes Fair Trade Resolution

The Philadelphia City Council officially signed and passed the resolution on February 26th, 2015 recognizing and Commending Fair Trade Philadelphia for its Commitment to Economic Equality for Workers and Sustainable Production Practices for the Environment.

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- Ivy Hunter (2.29.2016)

Bryan at the Fair Trade Bootcamp

The Mid Atlantic Fellows in Washington D.C. for The Power of You: FairTrade Bootcamp.

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- Barbara Donnini (2.18.2016)

Valentine’s Day Chocolate Giveaway at Whole Foods

We went to the Philly Whole Foods to pass out free fair trade chocolates!

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- Barbara Donnini (2.14.2016)

Celebration at City Hall: Philadelphia is a Fair Trade City!

We had a wonderful time celebrating with City Council! Thank you to all who helped make Philadelphia a Fair Trade City!.

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- Barbara Donnini (10.15.2015)

The Grind: Connecting Over Coffee

Here’s Shawn Nesbit, owner of the Good Karma Cafe, which has 3 awesome locations in ‪Philadelphia‬ telling us about his recent trip to Chiapas, Mexico with ‪Equal exchange‬.

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- Barbara Donnini (6.11.2015)

Shop for a Cause with Ten Thousand Villages Stores in Philadelphia

There are two events coming up March and April at Ten Thousand Villages stores where you will have the opportunity to raise money for charities as you shop: Visit the CRS event page to get more details and store locations.

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- Barbara Donnini (3.02.2015)

Story From Local Radio Station (KYW) on 2013 Holiday Fair

Check out Yoko talking to KYW Radio about Fair Trade at Holiday Fair of 2013: We had a great Fairtrade fair for Philadelphia yesterday at Friend Center. KYW radio came and interviewed Yoko about fair trade.

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- Ivy Hunter (12.29.2013)