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Faaiza Bashir, Campaigns Officer at the Fairtrade Foundation, updates us on the wider Fairtrade Campaign
Faaiza
Bashir, , Fairtrade Foundation
With an announcement this week that sales of Fairtrade products shot through the £1 billion mark in 2010, an increase of 40% over the last year, it’s clear that Fairtrade is a favourite amongst British shoppers. Fairtrade Foundation’s Executive Director, Harriet Lamb said: ‘Fairtrade is going from strength to strength because the public want it, it makes business sense, and most importantly because it’s working for the millions of farmers, workers and their families who see Fairtrade as their lifeline in these tough times.’
By choosing a product with a FAIRTRADE Mark you know that the farmer has received a stable, decent price for the product, enough to support their families and live a life of dignity. On top of that, farmers receive a Fairtrade premium, a little extra, to invest in their community or business – giving hope for the future too.
We’re in the middle of Fairtrade Fortnight which runs from 28 February to 13 March - when everyone from shopkeepers to schoolchildren, producers to politicians come together to talk about Fairtrade and take action.
With an announcement this week that sales of Fairtrade products shot through the £1 billion mark in 2010, an increase of 40% over the last year, it’s clear that Fairtrade is a favourite amongst British shoppers. Fairtrade Foundation’s Executive Director, Harriet Lamb said: ‘Fairtrade is going from strength to strength because the public want it, it makes business sense, and most importantly because it’s working for the millions of farmers, workers and their families who see Fairtrade as their lifeline in these tough times.’
By choosing a product with a FAIRTRADE Mark you know that the farmer has received a stable, decent price for the product, enough to support their families and live a life of dignity. On top of that, farmers receive a Fairtrade premium, a little extra, to invest in their community or business – giving hope for the future too.
We’re in the middle of Fairtrade Fortnight which runs from 28 February to 13 March - when everyone from shopkeepers to schoolchildren, producers to politicians come together to talk about Fairtrade and take action.
A great stitch up?
This year Fairtrade Fortnight focuses on cotton. Cotton should be lucrative for poor West African farmers as they produce the cheapest cotton in the world. But huge handouts from the United States and European Union to their own farmers is making West African cotton prices uncompetitive. The excessive subsidies are leaving West African cotton farmers unable to compete and restricting their ability to export their way out of poverty. Fairtrade is the only lifeline for many cotton farmers. In Mali, one co-operative of 8,000 members has been able to earn 50% more by producing and selling organic Fairtrade cotton. Read the Great Cotton Stitch Up report to find out more.
The Jewish Fairtrade campaign is contributing with the Fairtrade cotton kippot initiative. Harriet Lamb says: ‘It’s wonderful to hear that the Fairtrade cotton kippot are proving such a success, and that the Jewish community is swinging in behing the Fairtrade cotton campaign. This will help ensure that cotton farmers can earn a living in such difficult times when the global economic downturn and rising food prices means farmers are struggling to support their families. I urge Jewish communities to continue backing Fairtrade and to be proud of the change you are helping to make”.
Faith groups around the country are supporting Fairtrade. More than 6500 churches, mosques and temples and Synagogues have pledge to use and promote Fairtrade products.
The Jewish Fairtrade movement has grown into a vibrant campaign for greater equality in trade. Malcolm Clark, co-ordinator of the Fairtrade London campaign www.fairtradelondon.org.uk, said:
“The Jewish Fairtrade movement is making an ever-growing contribution to London’s status as the world’s largest Fairtrade city. There are over 20 Fairtrade Synagogues across the capital and we’re particularly excited that the Jewish Community Secondary School in Barnet and Clore Shalom recently introduced Fairtrade kippot into their school uniforms, with others set to follow.
What’s great about supporting Fairtrade is that anyone get involved. Why not include Fairtrade raisins, chocolate or fruit as part of your mishloach manot baskets this Purim? Or come Rosh Hashanah dip your apples in Fairtrade honey for an extra sweet new year? Or how about using Fairtrade chocolate coins as Hanukkah ‘gelt’?”
Jewish initiatives are having a real impact for poor producers in developing countries but for the great work can only continue if we continue to raise awareness and buy Fairtrade.
Juliana, a shea nut gatherer from Ghana is benefitting from the stable Fairtrade price. Initial funds from the Fairtrade premium were used to provide free medical care for the co-op members and their children. They have many more plans but they will only reach those goals if we keep buying and telling others about Fairtrade.
Faith groups around the country are supporting Fairtrade. More than 6500 churches, mosques and temples and Synagogues have pledge to use and promote Fairtrade products.
The Jewish Fairtrade movement has grown into a vibrant campaign for greater equality in trade. Malcolm Clark, co-ordinator of the Fairtrade London campaign www.fairtradelondon.org.uk, said:
“The Jewish Fairtrade movement is making an ever-growing contribution to London’s status as the world’s largest Fairtrade city. There are over 20 Fairtrade Synagogues across the capital and we’re particularly excited that the Jewish Community Secondary School in Barnet and Clore Shalom recently introduced Fairtrade kippot into their school uniforms, with others set to follow.
What’s great about supporting Fairtrade is that anyone get involved. Why not include Fairtrade raisins, chocolate or fruit as part of your mishloach manot baskets this Purim? Or come Rosh Hashanah dip your apples in Fairtrade honey for an extra sweet new year? Or how about using Fairtrade chocolate coins as Hanukkah ‘gelt’?”
Jewish initiatives are having a real impact for poor producers in developing countries but for the great work can only continue if we continue to raise awareness and buy Fairtrade.
Juliana, a shea nut gatherer from Ghana is benefitting from the stable Fairtrade price. Initial funds from the Fairtrade premium were used to provide free medical care for the co-op members and their children. They have many more plans but they will only reach those goals if we keep buying and telling others about Fairtrade.
What's newThe latest Fairtrade offering is Fairtrade and Fairmined gold from small-scale and artisanal miners in Latin America. Such miners live in high levels of poverty and often work in hazardous conditions. We can now have assurance our gold, rather than harming people and the environment, has improved the lives of the mining communities. Find out more at www.fairtrade.org.uk/gold
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How to get involved
Visit www.facebook.com/fairtrade to enter a new competition each day and win fabulous prizes, from a trip to the Windwards Islands to a years supply of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream
Visit www.fairtrade.org.uk/faiths to sign up to become a Fairtrade Synagogue and read the Jewish Guide to Fairtrade
Faaiza Bashir
Campaigns Officer
Fairtrade Foundation
Visit www.facebook.com/fairtrade to enter a new competition each day and win fabulous prizes, from a trip to the Windwards Islands to a years supply of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream
Visit www.fairtrade.org.uk/faiths to sign up to become a Fairtrade Synagogue and read the Jewish Guide to Fairtrade
Faaiza Bashir
Campaigns Officer
Fairtrade Foundation
