For most of us, October simply means that school is back in full swing, the leaves are changing, and the days are getting shorter. The nights are getting longer and Halloween is fast approaching. For others, October (and fall/autumn in general) is also the time of year when our favorite sport picks up. Football and basketball, in particular, are perennial favorites.
For more and more folks out there, however, October has come to be Fair Trade Month. October is the month above all others in which we do our best to get out the message about Fair Trade. And this past month was a great success. We know that if people only knew about the horrific conditions and unfair treatment that workers and communities in impoverished countries receive that they would want to do something about it or contribute in some way. There’s no time like the present to let these people know the facts about Fair Trade and what it can mean to those people that need it the most.
Displays like the ones pictured above and below are good examples of how Fair Trade products can be displayed in a Fall theme that not only showcases the season and reminds folks about how it’s time to replace there worn footballs, but also gets across the message of Fair Trade and respect. Imagine walking past that window and simply seeing “RESPECT” printed across those footballs. It might make you wonder, “Hey, what’s that all about?” And that’s the point: to get people thinking and to get people talking—about Fair Trade.
As we now approach the Thanksgiving season here in North America, take some time to get the message out if you can. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant; just talk to some people. Let them know about how some of their favorite products might be exploitative and let them know that there are alternatives.
