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To many, Fair Trade means "a little more expensive, but that little extra goes towards a better wage for the farm-workers".  Indeed it is that, but it is far more.  Fair Trade products are also about sustainability: Fair Trade products are made of materials that are locally and abundantly available. They can be made from recycled post-consumer products, or from natural and biodegradable materials such as banana stem woven baskets. Producers are careful to grow and collect these materials in ways that won't negatively affect the environment. Materials are most commonly collected by hand and transported on foot, by bicycle or very occasionally by motorised vehicle to producers nearby homes or workshops.

So, Fair Trade not just affects the pocket, it affects the environment.  This year's events are focused exactly on this: Fair Trade + Ecology.

Safia Minney, founder of People Tree and instigator of the World Trade Fair Day, explains what Fair Trade means:
Fair Trade showcases a "way of trading that puts marginalised people and the environment first. Fair Trade is also spurring new thinking in economic equity, sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, and ethical compliance."

The World Fair Trade Day is a way for shops and the media help to bring new customers to Fair Trade by promoting products which in turn promotes livelihoods for small-scale producers. "IFAT's Fair Trade members use World Fair Trade Day to celebrate and communicate their vision, to the larger community, and showcase itself as the Gold Standard for Fair trade, social justice and sustainability", Minney added.

Events are happening all over the world, but you don't need to travel all over the world to take part, Fair Trade markets are being run all over the country, just click here to find a local event.