This document provides a toolkit for establishing a Fair Trade town. It outlines a grassroots approach to build support from different community sectors to promote Fair Trade. The 5 goals are to 1) build a central team, 2) engage retailers to sell Fair Trade products, 3) engage the community, 4) garner media coverage, and 5) pass a Fair Trade resolution. Tactics include campaigns, events, and utilizing social media and print media to spread awareness of Fair Trade and recruit supporters.

1. BOOST YOUR IMPACT
Fair Trade
Toolkit
Modeled from Fair Trade USA’s Fair Trade
Town Toolkit

2. Lesson #1:
 Don’t try to reinvent the wheel!
 If it’s you on your own or as a small company use
EVERY available resource to your advantage
 Fair Trade USA is a global company with massive
resources and well-funded research – If they put it
out there for free – USE IT

3. The Approach:
 Utilizes a Grassroots approach to work from the
bottom -> up instead of top -> down
 Capitalizes on the local movement – Locavore
Challenge
 Economic Policy -> Social Movement
 Towns + Universities

4. Step 1: Build Your Team
 Reach out to different sectors – academia, faith-
based organizations, non-profits, university
students
 Maintain a manageable central group
 1. Identify Potential Supporters
 2. Build Diversity in Your Group
 3. Get Started Online
 4. Celebrate!!

5. Social Media:
 Blog
 Facebook
 Twitter
 Youtube + Flicker
 Online Petitions
 Email List

6. Goal 2: Reach out to Retailers!
 Figure out your city size
 Host a Scavenger Hunt to find FT products
 Create a Google Spreadsheet to track progress
 Build a “Where to Buy” List + Map
 Follow Up with Retailers
 Celebrate!!

7. Goal 3: Engage Your Town!
 Reach Out to Community Organizations
 Send a Letter to Each Person on Your List
 Follow Up!!!!
 Help Your New Partners Convert to Fair Trade
 Celebrate!!!!!!

8. Goal 4: Get Some Love from the
Media!
 Plan an exciting Community Event to publicize
your Campaign
 Create a Press Release
 Develop Relationships with Reporters
 Respect Deadlines and Follow Up
 Celebrate!!!!

9. Goal 5: Pass a Fair Trade Resolution
 Find a Legislative Champion
 Create a Resolution
 Show your Support
 Thank your Elected Officials
 Celebrate!!!

10. Fundraising with Fair Trade
 Step 1: Host a Fair Trade Fundraiser
 Step 2: Host a Fair Trade Event
 Step 3: Apply for Local Grants
 Step 4: Apply for National Grants
 Step 5: Secure a Fiscal Sponsor

11. Fair Trade Tactics:
 Live Campaigning
 Gathering e-mails for a mailing list (especially
outside establishments like Whole Foods or near
local farmers’ markets, where the clientele
generally pride themselves on being more
socially aware)
 Door-to-door campaigning

12. Print Media:
 Print Media
 Postcards
 Flyers
 Advertisements in women’s magazines
(Cosmopolitan, O, Allure, Martha Stewart Living)

13. The Internet:
 Internet
 Guest columns in alternative news media and blogs (in
Reddit.com, NOLA Defender, etc.)
 Fair Trade Blog (www.boostfairtradenola.com)
 Setting up this blog to address general information on
Fair Trade, frequently asked questions, myths, updates
on local events and community meetings, pickets, and
guest blog entries)
 Twitter
 Facebook
 Pinterest

14. Television/Radio:
 Guest slots on local radio/TV news programming
 Public service announcements (which may
double as a Youtube video series)