Manitoba Fair Trade Challenge

This past week, Fair Trade Manitoba posted their Fair Trade Challenge: For one month, beginning on Valentine's Day, they are asking people to pledge to drink only fair trade coffee and tea, and eat only fair trade chocolate for one month. You can sign up here.

There are many places to purchase fair trade goods in Winnipeg, but here are my favourites to get you started (they all sell coffee, tea, chocolate or all three): Blue Earth Organics has a little bit of everything including food, cleaning products, cosmetics, and gifts. The owner makes this store my favourite - she doesn't assume that I know everything about organic and fair trade (which is good, because I don't) and she answers all my questions. Eat It sells mostly food, and has a good selection of grains. Organza Market has a lot of vegetarian/vegan options. Ten Thousand Villages sells home decor, jewelry, purses, furniture, and some food including chocolate, tea, coffee and sugar.

I already drink fair trade coffee and tea, but I'm going to add fair trade chocolate and sugar and take the Fair Trade Challenge! I will let you know how it goes!

P.S. For those of you planning a globally minded wedding, consider serving fair trade coffee and tea, or giving out fair trade chocolate bars as favours.