World Fair Trade Day Fest 2026

Wake Up to a Fairer World: Celebrate World Fair Trade Day with Chicago Fair Trade

Ever dream of how wonderful it would be to rest assured that the items we rely upon every day – the mattress we sleep on, our morning cup of coffee, the olive oil in our lunch salad, the rum in our nightcap – were made by people who are treated fairly for their labor? If you dream of a fairer world, join us for a joyful World Fair Trade Day celebration!

On Saturday, May 2, the Chicago Fair Trade Museum is throwing open its doors for an all‑day celebration spotlighting inspiring ethical businesses that are reshaping their industries, featuring:

🍹Tasting sessions featuring rich fair trade coffee, exquisite olive oils, and small‑batch rum

🛏️A fascinating presentation on sustainable, ethically made mattresses

🤝A lively, insight‑packed panel conversation exploring what ethical business looks like in practice

Between sessions, guests can check out our museum exhibits, shop our fair trade gift store, enjoy refreshments, and play fun games to win prizes. And don’t miss our grand prize drawing—one lucky attendee will take home a brand‑new Earthfoam mattress!

With a $20 donation to join the event*, you’ll receive an entry into our raffle for a free Earthfoam mattress in any size. It’s a win‑win: support fair trade and maybe head home with the dreamiest prize of all!

Everyone who registers will receive one entry to our Sleepstakes—one lucky winner will take home a brand‑new fair trade Earthfoam mattress!

Not able to attend? You can still join in on the fun by entering our fair trade Sleepstakes! Each raffle entry is $10. The grand prize winner can choose any mattress from Earthfoam.

Here’s what’s happening throughout the day:

11 am: ☕ Let’s Spill the Beans: Coffee and chat with Andrea Woolverton, co-founder Twin Engine Coffee

Twin Engine Coffee champions Nicaraguan coffees crafted entirely at origin. Their model centers farmers, fair wages, and environmental stewardship while celebrating local expertise, keeping value in Nicaragua, and delivering delicious coffees with a mission rooted in dignity and sustainability.

12:30 pm:😴The Ethics of Zzzzs: Presentation and Q&A with Karl Shevick, co-founder/CEO Earthfoam

Earthfoam is dedicated to transforming sleep through truly ethical, fully traceable natural rubber mattresses. Earthfoam partners directly with smallholder farmers, ensuring fair wages and clean supply chains while delivering exceptional comfort and championing environmental responsibility, worker dignity, and transparency in the mattress industry.

2 pm: 💼Building Better Businesses: ethical business panel discussion with moderator Shelly Ruzicka

Take part in a discussion with ethical business leaders and learn how companies build transparency into their supply chains, ensure fair wages, and create worker ownership; explore topics like regenerative agriculture, circular‑economy design, community‑rooted entrepreneurship, and what it takes to scale ethically; and hear real‑world examples of challenges, innovations, and visions for a more just economy.

Shelly Ruzicka is a labor‑rights advocate and longtime communications leader at Arise Chicago. She amplifies worker voices, advances fair workplace policies, and builds powerful coalitions for economic justice. She was also a 2026 CFT Changemaker Award recipient.

4 pm:🫒 Drizzle & Delight: Olive oil tasting with Karmel Abufarha, marketing manager, Canaan Palestine

Canaan Palestine is a pioneering fair-trade food company that uplifts Palestinian farming communities through regenerative agriculture. Working with thousands of small‑scale growers, they produce exceptional artisanal foods while preserving cultural traditions and centering land stewardship and economic resilience.

5:30 pm: 🍹Justice on the Rocks: Rum tasting with Daniel Reguiera, co-founder Chicago Cane Cooperative

Chicago Cane Cooperative is a worker‑owned venture bringing transparency and justice to the rum supply chain. By partnering directly with sugarcane farmers, the cooperative ensures fair wages, regenerative agriculture, and community investment. Their craft rums celebrate culture and offer a new model for ethical, people‑powered spirits.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you! Come for the fair trade magic, stay for the tastings, and leave with your heart (and maybe your sleep!) transformed.

*If a donation is a barrier for you to attend, please contact us, and we will make it work!