Fair Trade Fest: World Fair Trade Day Celebration 2023

1457 North Halsted Street,Chicago IL 60642

13 May, 2023

Description

Each year, Chicago Fair Trade organizes the biggest World Fair Trade Day celebration in the US, and this year is no exception! Join us for our Fair Trade Fest at the newly-opened Chicago Fair Trade Museum, which will include crafting and grow-your-own demos, tasting sessions, and lively discussions led by fair trade experts. You can also browse our museum exhibits, shop for ethical and sustainable items in our fair trade store, and take part in a whole range of fair trade games, prizes, giveaways, and more! This event is free and open to all. However, as a non-profit organization, Chicago Fair Trade and our Museum relies on donations to make events like these happen. If you are willing and able to book a ticket with a $23 donation, we will thank you with a complimentary fair trade swag bag, including Chicago Fair Trade coffee and other fair trade goodies! Participating bakers in our Great Fair Trade Bake-Off will also receive a complimentary swag bag. Here's what we have planned for the day: 1:00 Seeds of Change: Grow Your Own Greens at Home with Davíd Toledo Join urban gardening expert Davíd, founder of Contemporary Farmer, Inc., to learn how to create an indoor garden that thrives all year round, even in a bustling urban city. David will share expert tips on soil, lighting, and watering, and you'll have the chance to get your hands dirty and plant your own seeds to take home. See if you have what it takes to be a fair trade farmer by learning to cultivate your own crops and reducing your carbon footprint! Please note: Bring along a clean jar with you so you can upcycle it as a planter to take home. 2:00 The Great Fair Trade Bake-Off with guest judges Jerome “Paul” McDonnell, Monica “Prue” Eng, and Tamiz “Noel” Haiderali Celebrate how delicious it is to bake using fair trade ingredients at our Great Fair Trade Bake-Off! Bring in your best bakes to showcase your talent and compete against fellow baking enthusiasts, then watch as our panel taste-tests your creations and gives their expert feedback. You’ll then have a chance to buy a slice yourself to raise money for Chicago Fair Trade, our small but mighty non-profit that works to promote ethical and sustainable businesses across Chicagoland. *Interested in taking part? Learn more and sign up here. Participating bakers receive a fair trade swag bag. 3:00 Brewing Change: Transforming the Tea Industry One Cup at a Time with Amelia Cochran and Giorgia Fiorani Sip on a cup of refreshing fair trade tea as you immerse yourself in this interactive session led by DePaul University's Amelia Cochran and Giorgia Fiorani, students of Dr. Howard Rosing's Food Justice Course. Discover the fascinating and complex history of the tea trade, learn about the environmental and social issues confronting the industry today, and learn how you can make a positive impact on farmers and the environment, one cup at a time. 4:00 Knit for Justice: A Hands-On Handcrafting Workshop with Kristine Brandel and Nilesh Kothari Take part in our Chicago-Chakouri Knitting project in solidarity with the talented women knitters of Himalayan Naari, a fair trade craft cooperative in Chakouri, India. Discover why traditional handcrafting techniques, so often dismissed as a relic of the past, are in fact key to the future of sustainable production. Then, try out the techniques for yourself with the guidance of knitting extraordinaire Kristine Brandel! Please note, knitting materials are limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. 5:00 Around the World in Fair Trade Chocolate: A Bean-to-Bar Tasting Exploration Join us for a journey around the globe to explore the diversity and deliciousness of ethically and sustainably sourced chocolate. Together, we'll learn about the unique characteristics of cacao beans grown in different regions and soil types. You'll gain expert tips on how to become a skilled chocolate taster and discover the benefits of supporting fair trade practices in the chocolate industry. 6:00 Fair Trade Wine Hour: A Co-operative Celebration with Dan Arnett Join us for an hour of sipping and learning as Dan Arnett, the Board President of Fairtrade America and General Manager of Chicago Market, guides us through the wonderful world of fair trade wine co-operatives. Discover the story of La Riojana, a pioneering Fairtrade-certified co-operative in Argentina’s beautiful Famatina Valley, and other co-operative wineries that prioritize ethical and sustainable practices. Savor the flavors and raise a glass to the cooperative communities who make it possible for us to drink responsibly! Want to know more about Chicago Fair Trade and our Museum? Keep in touch with us: Sign up to our newsletter (scroll down to the end of our homepage)Follow us on InstagramFollow us on FacebookFollow us on LinkedInFollow us on TwitterDavid Toledo aka the Contemporary Farmer The Great Fair Trade Bake Off Celebrity Judges: James Beard nominee Monica "Prue" EngWBEZ radio legend Jerome "Paul" McDonnell Chef Tamiz "Noel" HaideraliGiorgia and Amelia, our resident tea experts and students of Dr. Howard Rosing's Food Justice Course at DePaul University Celestine Mundi, a tea harvester for fair trade brand JusTea Learn about our collaboration with India Development Service, the Chicago-Chakouri Knitting Project. Join our knitting circle featuring fair trade yarn. Nilesh Kothari of India Development Service Fairtrade America Board Chair and General Manager of Chicago Market, Dan Arnett