About

About Fair Trade Milwaukee
The Milwaukee Fair Trade Coalition works to promote the benefits of buying fairly traded goods to the residents of the greater Milwaukee area.

We exist to bring increased visibility to the locally owned fair trade businesses and product distributors by educating individuals, businesses, and lawmakers in hopes of bringing a clearer understanding of the importance of buying fairly traded goods.

Milwaukee is the first large Fair Trade City in the U.S, following 2 smaller towns: Media, Pennsylvania and Brattleboro, Vermont. Fair Trade Towns is a campaign which began in the UK in 2000. It is organized by local and national Fair Trade coalitions and advocates whose mission is to support and grow the Fair Trade Movement in the U.S. In 2007, Mayor Tom Barrett, the Milwaukee Fair Trade Coalition, with the strong support of Aldermen Tony Zielinski succeeded in passing a Common Council resolution declaring the City of Milwaukee a “Fair Trade City.”

What do we have to do to be a Fair Trade City?
To be considered a Fair Trade City, Milwaukee has to continuously meet the following requirements:

1. Local council passes a resolution supporting Fair Trade.
2. Range of Fair Trade products are available in many local venues.
3. Fair Trade products are used by many community organizations.
4. The public has demonstrated their support for Fair Trade.
5. Fair Trade steering group is convened to ensure continued commitment to Milwaukee’s Fair Trade Town status.

Milwaukee and its residents should be extremely proud that we have been declared a Fair Trade City. It means we are a conscious and inspired community who use our buying power to improve the lives of others all over the world. There are now more than 25 Fair Trade Towns in the US and over 1000 in the world. Learn more about the Fair Trade Towns movement and the other towns and cities following Milwaukee’s lead at http://www.fairtradetownsusa.org

What we do:

May: The Greater Milwaukee Fair Trade “Crawl”
Each second Saturday in May, is World Fair Trade Day. More than 30 Fair Trade shops in the Milwaukee area participate in this yearly celebration by offering product specials, free samples and guest lectures. Learn about Fair Trade products available in Milwaukee, and get a special Mother’s Day gift as well!

October: Fair Trade Month: October is considered Fair Trade Month and it is the perfect time to start thinking about farmers and artisans around the world as we begin our busy season of holiday shopping. The Milwaukee Fair Trade Coalition sponsors a free calendar of events and special deals that promote Fair Trade around the city during the month.

Holiday Shopping Fairs:The Milwaukee Fair Trade Coalition also works with student groups and other organizations to promote fair trade on campus and in the community through holiday shopping bazaars on campuses, in church basements and at special events across the metro area.