Reverse Trick or Treating -- Back for the Attack

Forget the trick-or-treating of the past, where kids went door to door collecting chocolate made under abusive conditions. This year, join schoolchildren, teenagers, and anyone else young at heart in uniting to:

• END poverty among cocoa farmers
• END abusive child labor in the cocoa industry
• PROMOTE Fair Trade
• PROTECT the environment

by giving Fair Trade chocolate back to adults...while trick-or-treating this Halloween. Each chocolate is attached to a card with information about social and environmental justice issues in the cocoa industry and how buying Fair Trade certified chocolate provides a solution.

You can participate in this action by requesting your Reverse Trick or Treating Kits here. The kits are free, but you do have to pay for shipping. Order them now before they sell out.

There's even more information about this action at the Reverse Trick or Treating website for those who want all the down and dirty deets.

Also wanted to give a shout-out to all the Fair Trade chocolate companies for their generous donations! I'm looking at you Equal Exchange, Alter Eco, Theo Chocolates & La Siembra.

So, start thinking about your costumes and get your Free Kits now before they're gone gone gone.

Reverse Trick-or-Treating is part of Sweet Smarts, Global Exchange’s national network of kids, parents and teachers whose simple, creative actions to educate and advocate for Fair Trade certified products transform communities and corporations to support small farmers’ efforts to build a better future for their families.

We Want More from Our S'mores!

The hot and hazy summer months inspire many to get outdoors, enjoy the summer sun, and partake in one of America's favorite past times, camping. Camping of course, inspires late night campfires which are incomplete without the one sticky, delicious, chocolaty treat that makes all of the mosquito bites worthwhile, the S'more.

Throughout August 2008, people nationwide will be joining together saying "We Want More from Our S'mores!" by making s'mores with Fair Trade Chocolate. The delicious action is an effort to celebrate and assist cocoa farmers worldwide who are living in grinding poverty, to gain access to education, health care, and humane working conditions.

Spearheaded by the upcoming September 19th release of Battle in Seattle, a new movie about the movement for Fair Trade starring Woody Harrelson, Charlize Theron and Andre Benjamin, the S'mores campaign is one of a number of campaigns aimed at providing an active way for the public to participate in making a difference.

To take part in this delicious, gooey action simply use Fair Trade Chocolate when making your campfire s'mores. Let the campaign know that you are participating in this National action by registering your s'mores by August 31. If you're feeling extra creative, you can videotape your s'mores action and submit your creative accounts to Global Exchange's S'mores Action YouTube group.

Attention Bay Area residents! Come join the Global Exchange 2008 Summer Interns on Wednesday, August 13th, where they will be hosting a "Fair Trade S'mores Happy Hour" in Dolores Park at 6pm. Free Fair Trade Chocolate will be provided, and delicious graham crackers and marshmallows can be purchased just across the street at Bi-rite or Rainbow markets.

So, come out and take this action. It's fair trade aaand delicious!

Two Great Blogs to Take a Look At...

Recently, the number of blogger’s writing about issues regarding environmental sustainability and global human rights has been on the rise. It’s great to hear perspectives, thoughts and stories from around the world that both inform and motivate us to continue to make choices that positively impact our world. Here at the Global Exchange Fair Trade Online Store, we would like to point out 2 exciting blogs that have recently caught our eye.

Green Blog is a fresh, articulate multi-author environmental blog that posts daily updates from authors around the world. Posts cover a diverse array of environmental topics ranging from business and politics to fashion and beauty, and come from numerous perspectives globally. Their section on Green Action tips is a particularly interactive look at how each of us can make small changes that have big impacts on the environment. You can check out Green Blog by clicking directly on the link titled Environmental Blog under our list of “Fair Trade Friends”.

mod*mom is another blog worth checking out, with stories and suggestions on ways to combine environmental awareness with modern style and design. Her weekly giveaways feature products ranging from Whole Foods organic eco-spa gift baskets to iPod's and cameras! Items from the Global Exchange Fair Trade Online Store have also been featured in Mod*mom’s weekly giveaways. Additionally, Mod*mom shares a variety of stories from her own life and experiences, including endearing stories of the adventures of her young daughter, mod*tot, and advice to other mother’s interested in pursing eco-friendly style. You can check out Mod*mom’s blog by clicking directly on the like titled mod*mom under out list of “Fair Trade Friends”.

These two blogs are only among an increasing number that open up the discussion about our own effect on the environment and the global community at large. We are excited to become associated Green Blog and Mod*mom, and look forward to increasing our number of friends who share an interest in the environment, human rights, and of course fair trade!