The Fair Trade Resource Network (FTRN) seeks to improve people’s lives through Fair Trade alternatives by providing information, leadership, and inspiration. FTRN gathers, develops, and disseminates educational resources to people and organizations interested in the movement to build a more just and sustainable world through Fair Trade.

FTRN empowers individuals in North America: primarily students and educators, members of faith communities, and politically engaged citizens. Consumers need straightforward information about the power of Fair Trade to transform lives. We use our web site, e-mail updates, coalition building, and public speaking to reach individual consumers and institutional allies.

FTRN is the American organizer of World Fair Trade Day, which is celebrated annually on the 2nd Saturday of May.

FTRN promotes the 3 Cs of Fair Trade: crafts, commodities and curriculum in order to build a comprehensive understanding of how Fair Trade operates and improves lives around the world.

Our fundamental belief is that if the consciousness of a consumer is engaged, s/he will choose Fair Trade as an alternative to sweatshops, corporate greed, and environmental destruction.

As a result of FTRN’s work, the Fair Trade movement will expand significantly in breadth and depth. More consumers and businesses will insist that the Fair Trade principles of accountability, transparency, cooperation, and respect for human labor be integrated into production, trade, and consumption activities.

We are committed to creating positive change in the world by empowering consumers with an understanding of the impact of their purchasing choices and by educating businesses about the impact of their trading practices. We believe that the resulting expanded economic opportunities created by Fair Trade will benefit all, particularly the world’s most disadvantaged

We at the Fair Trade Resource Network believe that a system of Fair Trade — built on mutually beneficial relationships that value integrity, accountability, and transparency — will:

1) Promote respect for the dignity of all human labor;
2) Produce models of economic equity and sustainability that can create broad positive social change;
3) Provide an opportunity to connect with others and preserve cultural diversity; 4) Align environmental sustainability with Fair Trade Practices; and
5) Encourage collaboration and cooperation to advance these principles.