October is Fair Trade Month. As the month dedicated to encouraging consumers in the Western world to purchase products made by local farmers and artisans in the developing world draw to a close, the folks at Globe In came up with 10 ways to bring fair trade values into our everyday lives.

  Tip 1. Eat In Season. 

   Seasonal foods are fresher and gentler on the environment. 

  Tip 2. Go Car-Free.

   Petroleum is one of the world’s least fairly traded commodities, and that’s especially true right now. What’s more, getting around sans-car is one of those things that may sound daunting, but in reality, can be tons of fun. 

  Tip 3. Volunteer (Locally).

   You don’t have to fly to a foreign country, or even make a big time commitment, to make a significant impact. Volunteering in your local neighborhood will have that positive impact, and put you more in touch with your community and environment.

  Tip 4. Plant Garlic.

   Really? Garlic? Why?

Well, aside from the tastiness factor, garlic picking is one of the most physically damaging tasks for farm laborers to do all day. Plus, it’s one of the only things you can plant this time of year.

  Tip 5. Pick yer Own!

   Not garlic, of course … but fall’s aplenty with darn near everything from straw bales to strawberries. And what’s more fun than planting food? Eating it! October is the perfect time to enjoy the harvest and give your kids a small glimpse of what it truly means to put food on the table.

  Tip 6. Can Something.

   After you’re done pickin’, why not get on with the picklin’! Canning is another great, kid-friendly way to enjoy sustainable preserved eats throughout the winter.

  Tip 7. Fair Trade Your Halloween. 

   Plan to make a difference this Halloween. Hand out fair trade treats to the little guys and ghouls. You can get kits with fair trade candy and kid-friendly fair trade info.

  Tip 8. Read a Book.

   Get educated on the impact of food production and consumption. For an inspiring read, I recommend the “American Way of Eating“ by Tracy McMillan.

  Tip 9. Watch a Movie.

   With our hectic lifestyles, reading often comes more in the form of a movie. Food Inc is canonized in our society at this point. For a less conventional choice, Matt Damon in The Informant! is an entertaining dive into the creepy history of our mono-culture food supply chain.

  Tip 10. Win Fair Trade Goods

   Fairtrade.org is running daily giveaways of fair trade products. Visit their site and enter daily right from their home page. 

Again, if you’re interested in usable information on how to live a more “fair trade” lifestyle, sign up for our Fair Trade Lifestyle List.