6 Fun Ways to Fair Trade Your Summer

1. Make a batch of fair trade sun tea using one of Fair Trade Winds’ favorite recipes.

There is something extra-special about sipping iced tea brewed by the sun!

2. I scream, you scream, we all scream for fair trade ice cream!

Ben & Jerry’s is committed to sourcing fair trade certified ingredients for all of its products, and by the end of 2014 the global transition will be complete. Pick up a pint of Ben & Jerry’s at your local grocery store. Look for the fair trade logo on the container — our favorites are Peanut Butter Fudge Core, Late Night Snack, and Chunky Monkey (made with fair trade bananas!) For instant gratification, cool off at a Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop.

And in Seattle, WA, Molly Moon’s Ice Cream uses fair trade Theo Chocolate in its Melted Chocolate flavor.

3. Throw a Pocket Disc or two in your beach tote for some fun!

Pocket Discs crocheted cotton discs are made by hand in Guatemala and are available in all seven of our stores across the country. They are more fun, more versatile, and more eco-friendly than a plastic frisbee. Try these games with your buddies:

Juggle Toss

Each player starts with one Pocket Disc. Toss it to a friend and look quick because one will be flying your way! Make the pair, triangle, square, etc. as close or far as you like.

The Sea Monster

Pick a target, and your buddy is the sea monster who springs from the depths and tries to block your shot.

Beach Shuffleboard

Create a shuffleboard in the sand and throw Pocket Discs instead of bean bags. The disc with the highest number of points wins! Our take on creating a shuffleboard: draw a rectangle about six feet long (or bigger!) in the sand; draw lines at various intervals along the length of the shape. Assign point values to each space (higher number of points the future away you toss).

And when you’re packing up for the day, the Pocket Disc is great at removing the pesky beach sand from your skin!

4. Accessorize at the pool, beach, or splash park with Zulugrass.

Stretchy strands for your wrist, neck, ankle, or for keeping back your hair are made by Maasai community in Kenya are waterproof and colorfast. The elastic has a memory of over 6 years — the same elastic was used in the movie Spiderman. The strands can endure sun, showers, pools, ocean, and lake water. Learn more about the Leakey Collection and shop our selection of vibrant colors!

5. Adorn your home and garden with capiz shell wind chimes made in Indonesia.

In the early 1900s, fisher families moved to Java’s eastern coast to take advantage of the plethora of sea life. During stormy weather, the families would mend their nets and make crafts from discarded shells. Capiz shells (also called “jingle” shells) grow like weeds in shallow sea beds. The shells that were once discarded are now given new life and nothing is wasted.

6. We all search for gifts and souvenirs during summer travels. But of course, they must be fair trade!

Whether on a day trip or a longer journey, fair trade is not hard to find. We spotted a wide variety of fair trade products so far this summer during our own travels (jewelry, ornaments, fun gifts for kids, customized tree-free paper, and beautiful home decor pieces). There are also plenty of fair trade cafes to visit! Our Fair Trade Winds store in Bar Harbor, Maine is a tourist destination this time of year and we have plenty of handmade, fair trade products to remind visitors of their seaside, nature-inspired trip. We also recommend the gifts shops at the San Diego Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Look for these labels as you shop.