Archive for the 'Events' Category

UGH! I can’t believe I really wrote that! But, hey, it is part of my job to help you shop your values. I know so many of us want to be thoughtful, responsible consumers, and the upcoming holiday season can full of distractions and temptations that take us of our path. But [...]

Read the entry: Only 49 shopping days until Christmas →

Although Fair Trade is considered by some folks to be a development tool, meaning a set of principles and practices that help disadvantaged people increase incomes, invest in communities and protect the environment in sustainable ways, the fact is I don’t get to hang out with development practitioners all that much. Sure, Catholic Relief [...]

Read the entry: Fair Trade: Feel-good fad or best-kept development secret? →

One of our most popular CRS Fair Trade resources is the document connecting Fair Trade to Catholic Social Teaching. The parallels between the criteria for Fair Trade actions, such as participatory decision making, and treasured church principles such as subsidiarity, are instructive and inspiring for folks interested in economic justice. Truth is, though, [...]

Read the entry: Happy Anniversary to “Populorum Progressio” →

Ever had that feeling when you were really tired and really excited at the same time? Your bones kinda ache but your spirit soars? That pretty much sums up how we are feeling at CRS Fair Trade these days. The Fair Trade month celebrations and activities that are happening, from a CRS [...]

Read the entry: Fair Trade Month Events continue for CRS and Partners →

With live music playing, local farmers selling, and socially responsible vendors trading everything from body lotion to coffee beans, the Fair Trade LA “Just Lives” Festival at the Hollywood Farmers market this Sunday was a great kick-off for Fair Trade month activities. CRS was a major sponsor of the event, thanks to the Fair [...]

Read the entry: Fair Trade LA Kicks Off Fair Trade Month for CRS →

Today is the first day of Fair Trade month in the United States and marks the official launch of the Fair Trade Towns campaign for the United States. A key objective of the Fair Trade movement in the United States is to educate consumers about the importance of purchasing Fair Trade products. Already [...]

Read the entry: Fair Trade Towns in the US launches today →

One of the best parts of a social justice movement is when you take time to sit back, reflect on your efforts, and CELEBRATE the successes. October, deemed Fair Trade month by TransFair, the U.S. third party certifier of Fair Trade products, gives you 31 opportunities to do just that. There are [...]

Read the entry: Fair Trade Month is Just Days Away! →

As Labor Day approaches, some of us look forward to three day weekends and final opportunities to enjoy the summer. That’s only natural, and I hope you do find ways to rest and rejuvenate before the long sunny days and light work and school schedules slip away. For myself, I have a whole [...]

Read the entry: Celebrating Labor Day the Solidarity Way →

On my morning commute today, I experienced some rare moments of silence. There were no traffic jams for me to jay-walk through and few subway riders to jostle me. Not a single horn honked this morning! The lazy days of summer are really here in the Baltimore-Washington DC area, with many folks [...]

Read the entry: Lazy days of summer are almost over →

When some folks think Fair Trade sales, their minds go to the holidays. Purchasing fairly traded handcrafts and gourmet foods at Christmas, for example, is a wonderful way to shop your values and give gifts that give in multiple ways. This summer Fair Traders around the country are making sure Fair Trade is a [...]

Read the entry: Christmas in July? →