Campaigning Archives - Fairtrade Foundation

Meet some of the farmers behind your Fairtrade cup of coffee

Fairtrade Foundation — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 13:22:03 +0000

Across the world we drink 2 billion cups of coffee daily, supported by a lucrative global coffee industry worth over $100 billion. Yet the average non-Fairtrade coffee farmer lives on as little as £1.37 a day.

What makes Fairtrade coffee different?

Fairtrade is the only global sustainability label that guarantees farmers and workers the Fairtrade Minimum Price protection: companies pay an agreed-upon Minimum Price for the coffee, plus an additional Fairtrade Premium for farmers to invest in their communities and businesses.

It takes a lot of expertise to produce the high-quality beans that end up as your favourite cup of coffee. But the life of the smallholder coffee farmer behind your morning brew is far from easy.

We focus our efforts on small producer organisations because 25 million smallholders produce up to 75 per cent of the world’s coffee. They struggle with low incomes due to perpetual price volatility and the ongoing challenges of the climate crisis.

Come and meet Angelica, Gerardo and María – three Fairtrade coffee farmers from Colombia and find out how Fairtrade has impacted their lives and communities.

Angelica María Escobar Valencia – a farmer who has hope for the future

We have grown coffee for a long time, and we are certain that market changes and all the differences can be overcome.

Angelica María Escobar Valencia, a dedicated coffee farmer from Palestina, Colombia, has spent her life cultivating coffee, following in the footsteps of her parents and grandparents.

She says that Fairtrade certification – which guarantees fair pricing and an additional Premium based on compliance with stringent criteria – is the way forward.

Not only does Fairtrade benefit individual livelihoods but it also supports collective efforts aimed at improving coffee quality and sustainability.

Angelica has witnessed the harmful impact of climate change on coffee production.

Angelica María Escobar Valencia, coffee farmer at Cooperativa Manizales, Palestina, Colombia

Coffee thrives in sunny conditions but struggles with too much rain or prolonged droughts. Recent years have seen erratic harvests due to phenomena like El Niño and La Niña, posing a challenge for coffee growers like Angelica, who says that they “are at the mercy of climate change”.

Fairtrade advocates for climate justice, requiring farmers to adopt sustainable practices and supports them to address climate change head-on.

Angelica and her fellow coffee farmers are encouraged to take proactive steps, strengthening their resilience against extreme weather events, and promoting a sustainable future for coffee production.

Improving coffee production

Being part of Cooperativa Manizales, a Fairtrade-certified organisation, has given her access to various programmes to improve coffee quality, economic stability, and environmental responsibility.

Angelica María Escobar Valencia, coffee farmer at Cooperativa Manizales, Palestina, Colombia

Angelica says that “Fairtrade has been really beneficial for this cooperative”, and she herself has benefited from Fairtrade-funded coffee drying projects, including the installation of solar dryers, which significantly improve coffee quality by maintaining ideal humidity levels.

Additionally, the Fairtrade Premium supported the installation of a secure chemical storage, reinforcing responsible farming practices.

Fair pricing

Fair prices are another priority for Fairtrade. By enabling farmers to calculate production costs per arroba [a Colombian unit of weight equivalent to 12.5kg] of coffee, Fairtrade ensures that even when the market price drops, farmers receive additional incentives per arroba, safeguarding their economic well-being. She says that “even if prices are low at the moment, being certified helps us”.

Despite challenges like market fluctuations and currency exchange rates, which are beyond their control, Angelica and her fellow coffee growers remain resilient and optimistic about the future of Colombian coffee.

They firmly believe that with Fairtrade’s continued support, ongoing improvements, and their expertise in coffee cultivation, Colombian coffee production will enjoy a prosperous and sustainable future. Angelica believes that “the future of Colombian coffee is good”.

María del Carmen Bedoya de Tamayo – nurturing coffee tradition and community through Fairtrade

María del Carmen Bedoya de Tamayo, a Fairtrade coffee farmer from Chinchiná, Colombia

Without the Fairtrade seal, without fair prices, we wouldn’t have so many benefits.

María del Carmen Bedoya de Tamayo, a seasoned coffee farmer from Chinchiná, Colombia, cherishes her family’s coffee tradition, handed down through generations.

She passionately advocates for Fairtrade certification, which has not only improved her family’s economic well-being but also brought transformative changes to her entire community, touching on social and cultural aspects.

María highlights the broader impacts of Fairtrade, such as the cleaner environment fostered by their cooperative’s clean field days and encouraged by Fairtrade’s environmental standards.

María del Carmen Bedoya de Tamayo, a Fairtrade coffee farmer from Chinchiná, Colombia

Nevertheless, she is faced with the harsh reality of climate change, with unpredictable weather patterns affecting both coffee yield and quality. She says that “there’s less coffee and the quality has gone down. In winter, there is a lot of illness [and] in summer, disease spreads much, much more”.

Benefits of Fairtrade

Despite these challenges, Fairtrade sales have bought satellite dishes and coffee processing equipment like driers and pulpers. Also initiatives such as health screening, funeral care and veterinary care. These programmes improve the community’s welfare and support the continuity of coffee cultivation.

María speaks about the economic fragility caused by international stock exchange fluctuations and says that “now coffee prices have gone down, things are really difficult”: yet she remains determined to constantly strive to improve the quality of her coffee.

She firmly believes that Fairtrade is the cornerstone of their cooperative’s prosperity, extending its reach not only to her community but also to small-scale coffee growers.

María’s story shows the impact of Fairtrade on individual lives and communities. It underscores the resilience of coffee growers in the face of adversity, united in their dedication to preserving tradition and building a sustainable coffee-growing future.

However, as she says: “The future is uncertain, and we don’t know what will happen. But we keep on going … ploughing, growing, doing our very best to improve the quality of the coffee”.

Gerardo Carbajal – Nurturing organic coffee and sustainability through Fairtrade

Gerardo Carbajal, organic Fairtrade coffee producer in Villa Maria, Colombia

On this farm, we produce organic coffee…and we care for the environment.

Gerardo Carbajal, an organic coffee producer in Villa Maria, Colombia, is living proof of how Fairtrade certification can have a far-reaching impact on the coffee industry, the environment, and local communities.

Gerardo’s dedication to organic coffee farming, which avoids the use of harmful chemicals (in line with Fairtrade Standards), has not only enhanced coffee quality but also played a crucial role in preserving the environment. His farm stands as a testament to sustainable, eco-friendly practices.

Gerardo highlights the central role of Fairtrade in securing fair prices that adequately cover production costs.

Gerardo Carbajal, organic Fairtrade coffee producer in Villa Maria, Colombia

Benefits of fair pricing

Fairtrade’s fair pricing system not only brings stability to coffee growers but also helps to grow their economic power. He says it means that the market values their product and what they make on their farms more.

This support becomes especially critical in the face challenges caused by climate change. Gerardo describes how three years of excessive rainfall and the recent El Niño phenomenon caused crop losses. In such times, Fairtrade offers financial aid, access to drying facilities, and vital technical guidance.

Gerardo also emphasises the wider community benefits facilitated by Fairtrade. Initiatives such as clean field practices and responsible waste management are integral components of this approach.

He pinpoints the direct link between fluctuating coffee prices and economic hardship, often made worse by middlemen.

He says that the change in price of coffee directly affects their pockets, but cooperatives like the one Gerardo belongs to serve as a buffer against these uncertainties.

As for the future, Gerardo advocates diversifying agricultural production beyond coffee. He believes that growing food crops and fruit trees alongside coffee is essential for long-term self-sufficiency, but this is only possible with fair prices.

Without fairer prices they “can’t afford to improve the coffee fields, renew them and sow trees”.

Whilst telling his story, Gerardo expresses his gratitude to Fairtrade and the supporting companies for their contributions to the lives of coffee-growing families. Their assistance extends far beyond fair prices, encompassing vital technical support, financial aid, and environmental stewardship.

Gerardo’s story captures the intricate interplay between sustainable farming, Fairtrade values, and the well-being of local communities.

How you can support coffee farmers

Coffee

When you choose Fairtrade coffee, farmers can build a better quality of life for their families and communities.

International Coffee Day 2023

This International Coffee Day, join us in speaking out for coffee farmers around the world who have been denied a fair deal for too long.

Get Involved

Find out how to get involved with the Fairtrade movement.

Six facts you should know about Fairtrade coffee

We dispel six of the most common misconceptions about Fairtrade coffee.

How fair is Fairtrade coffee?

We spill the beans on how to tell if your favourite ‘fair trade’ brew is as ethical as it claims to be.

Four threats to your morning coffee

The life of a coffee farmer is far from easy. We look at four threats facing the people behind your morning cup of coffee.

The post Meet some of the farmers behind your Fairtrade cup of coffee appeared first on Fairtrade Foundation.

30 ways to celebrate 30 years of Fairtrade

Fairtrade Foundation — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 11:17:21 +0000

In 2024, we’ll be celebrating a very special Fairtrade Fortnight.

It will take place in the autumn for the first time when we will celebrate 30 years of the Fairtrade Mark here in the UK. This means 30 years of farmers using the power of Fairtrade to drive positive change in their communities.

Instead of waiting until September 2024, we’ve put together 30 ways you can get the ball rolling. How many can you finish before Fortnight 2024 ends?

1. Sign up to get our emails – never miss our latest news!

If you don’t already get our email updates, fix that today by signing up for our Fairtrade ‘Latest news’ emails. That way, you’ll never miss an opportunity to get involved in our work to build a fairer future.

2. Sign your local Community Declaration on Climate Justice

Over 15,000 people and over 1,000 groups have already signed our Community Declarations on Climate Justice. You can sign as an individual, a school, a Fairtrade group, or any other organisation.

Sign our Community Declarations on Climate Justice

Once you’ve signed, remember to share to get your friends and family to join you.

3. Say it with flowers

We all love to give and receive flowers to celebrate a special occasion. To mark 30 years of our Mark, you could send a friend a special thank you and, at the same time, introduce them to the benefits of Fairtrade flowers.

They deliver a fairer deal for thousands of farm workers in East Africa and Central America.

Find out where to buy these beautiful blooms

4. Write a letter

Thirty years in, people still need to find out why choosing Fairtrade is so important. The students at Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School have been working on how to persuade important people in business, politics and their community to join them in building a fairer future.

Their excellent guide on writing a persuasive letter includes great tips for everyone.

Download the guide (PDF)

5. Start a petition

Supporting us isn’t just about signing petitions – you can start one too! Get a bit of inspiration from the children at St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School – they started a petition urging the UK government to start including Fairtrade bananas in their Free Fruit and Vegetables scheme.

Watch the video from St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School

6. Quiz night? Try one of ours!

Everyone loves a quiz. We’ve created a few to try, or you can use the following information to make your own.

Fairtrade Quiz 2023

What Fairtrade product am I?

General Fairtrade product quiz

7. Make a smoothie

There is no better way to get your ‘5 a day’ than a nice smoothie. There are so many Fairtrade ingredients that are just perfect for smoothies: bananas, mangoes, orange juice, peanut butter, honey, nuts and spices.

Make your smoothie, then ‘smoothly’ start a conversation about how each of those ingredients means a fairer deal for so many farmers and workers all around the world.

8. Get creative in the kitchen

It’s been 30 years since the FAIRTRADE Mark hit UK shelves, and you can now cook up all sorts of tasty treats using the over 6,000 Fairtrade products available across the country.

Whether it’s banana brownies or pasta bakes, classy cocktails or coffee-flavoured cookies, the quickest way to the heart is through the stomach – so build your friends and family’s love for Fairtrade with some delicious dishes.

Check out our library of recipes for some inspiration

9. Make an exhibition of yourself – and us!

Whether it’s poetry, painting, music, or crafting, getting creative is a great way to spread the word about the difference choosing Fairtrade makes.

For example, in 2020, thousands of young people took part in our Choose the World you Want exhibition to mark Fairtrade Fortnight. Try running your own exhibition or competition in your community, school or university.

10. Get social – online!

Social media lets us connect with other Fairtrade fans from all over the country and beyond. It also tells people about the power of Fairtrade.

As we mark 30 years, take inspiration from the Felixstowe Fairtrade Forum’s excellent recent efforts in upping their social media game.

11-20

21-30

Find out more about what you can do to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight 2024

Fairtrade Fortnight

Get Involved

Let’s make Fairtrade flowers bloom

Buying Fairtrade

Fairtrade Communities

Fairtrade and climate justice

The post 30 ways to celebrate 30 years of Fairtrade appeared first on Fairtrade Foundation.

30 ways to celebrate 30 years of Fairtrade – Pt. 2

Fairtrade Foundation — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 11:17:02 +0000

11. Have a break – have a coffee morning

A classic with our campaigners, old and new, nothing gets people listening to the benefits of Fairtrade better than a break and a few top-quality coffees, teas and snacks.

Hosting our coffee morning in a local Oxfam book and record shop helped us reach the public, as people out shopping were attracted in by our free teas and coffees.
Anita Beer, a campaigner in Market Harborough

12. Be a star of screen – host a film night

There’s lots of films that showcase why choosing Fairtrade is always the best choice for people and the planet.

Have a look at our quick guide to running a Fairtrade Film Night

13. Take the taste test – run a tasting session of treats

Thirty years after our first products, some people still don’t realise Fairtrade goodies don’t just power positive change. They taste great, too!

While they are tasting, take the time to explain the positive effect these palate-pleasers have in communities worldwide.

Campaigner top-tip

Pair some Fairtrade wine with some chocolate. Did you know that lighter chocolate pairs well with lighter wines? Try out the Co-op for good value options for wine and chocs.
Lily in Belfast

15. Deck the halls with (recycled) bunting

Using recycled cotton, Linlithgow Fairtrade Partnership made beautiful bunting with local youth groups. But you can use any materials to make some Fairtrade-themed bunting – it’s a great conversation starter, brightens up any space, and crafting is a great way to bring people together.

16. Hold a Fairtrade fashion show

Joanna Pollard celebrated Great Big Green Week by inviting groups of activists to upcycle some old Fairtrade Foundation t-shirts made (of course) from Fairtrade cotton.

Working with the Reading Centre for International Solidarity (RISC), Joanna also live-streamed the event on social media so people from all over could get involved.

Find out more about the ‘How Green Is Your T-shirt’ fashion show

17. Make the flowers bloom in your area

Did you know it’s easier than ever for your local florist to start stocking Fairtrade? Let them know by ordering flower postcards from us and sharing them with independent florists in your area.

Because more beautiful Fairtrade blossoms in the UK means more flower farm workers with greater rights, higher incomes, and more security all over the world, and that’s a blooming good deal!

18. Make your area a Fairtrade Community

Fairtrade Community groups work to put fairness at the heart of everything happening in their area.

You only need two like-minded people to start a group and the enthusiasm to bring our message to local people.

Find out more about Fairtrade Communities and sign up

Already a Fairtrade Community?

Go even further by earning our special ‘Action Area’ badges.

Find more details in our Fairtrade Campaign Action Guide

19. Link up with a local sports team

Wolverhampton Fairtrade scored a Premier League partnership when they teamed up with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The local football group supported them in running an event that supported lots of local children to learn about us.

Find out more about Wolverhampton Fairtrade’s work

20. Hit the trail

Campaigners in Solihull created a Fairtrade Trail that delights old and young alike, introducing people to new places they can buy Fairtrade and the difference doing so can make.

Find out more about how they created their special treasure hunt in this local news article

1-10

21-30

Find out more about what you can do to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight 2024

Fairtrade Fortnight

Get Involved

Let’s make Fairtrade flowers bloom

Buying Fairtrade

Fairtrade Communities

Fairtrade and climate justice

The post 30 ways to celebrate 30 years of Fairtrade – Pt. 2 appeared first on Fairtrade Foundation.

30 ways to celebrate 30 years of Fairtrade – Pt. 3

Fairtrade Foundation — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 11:16:41 +0000

21. Get crafty with your campaigning

Rather than printing lots of leaflets and wasting paper, many campaigners have turned to making their own engaging campaign materials in recent years.

Lots of campaigners share top tips on everything from creating FAIRTRADE Marks with old potatoes to promoting collaborative crafting sessions in their local communities.

Check out our special crafty campaigning webinar

22. Make a Fairtrade display

Whether it’s a student union, a school notice board, your local community centre or just on your fridge, make a daily reminder about the power of the fairer future the FAIRTRADE Mark means.

Get some inspiration on what a top-notch notice board looks like from this Pinterest

23. Teach them a lesson – about Fairtrade

Calling all parents, teachers and students! Did you know your school can become a Fairtrade School? We have lots of things to help you get started.

Find out more about lesson plans, learning resources and fun games

24. Have a little faith, as a Fairtrade Place of Worship

Hundreds of faith groups of all types and beliefs have signed up as a Fairtrade Place of Worship.

All you need to do is commit to stocking essential goodies and spreading the word about the FAIRTRADE Mark among your faith community.

Find out more and sign up in minutes

25. Have a chat about Fairtrade with your local businesses

Speak to shops and businesses in and around your community, university, school or anywhere else about backing Fairtrade.

With over 6,000 products in the UK, it’s not just the usual suspects.

Schools could switch to Fairtrade cotton uniforms. Jewellers could start stocking Fairtrade gold. Even cafes aren’t limited to just Fairtrade tea and coffee – they could also start stocking fruit juices, lemonade and snacks made with Fairtrade cocoa or sugar.

Check out all the Fairtrade products and when to buy them

26. Make a Fairtrade Pledge – and ask others to do the same

Ask people in your community, school or university to pledge to do one thing differently that will make the world fairer.

Schools that have done this previously have got creative – asking people to draw or illustrate their ideas on paper leaves to create a ‘forest of ethical pledges.’

Get involved

27. Celebrate World Fair Trade Day

On the second Saturday of every May, World Fair Trade Day is a great opportunity to listen to the voices of the people behind the products we use every day.

So, mark it in your diary as a major moment to celebrate fairer trade, and sign up for our emails to ensure you get all the tools you need to mark this special moment.

28. Try a new Fairtrade product every day or week

With over 6,000 Fairtrade products available, you could try a new Fairtrade product every day for over 16 years!

We don’t suggest you do it for that long, but perhaps try sniffing out a new treat every week for a year. Don’t forget to share the results on social media!

Check out the range of Fairtrade products and where to buy them

29. Have a bake-off

Get colleagues, classmates, or the whole community to come together and cook up some baked goodies.

The Oxford Student Union gave this a go in 2020, inviting students and staff to send their best Fairtrade efforts to a panel of hungry volunteer judges.

30. And lastly, but definitely not least – Fundraise

As a charity, we are hugely grateful for any donations – large or small. Anything you can give helps us strengthen Fairtrade all around the world and here in the UK – which means a better deal for farmers.

Our fundraising page has some ideas to get you started, but any individual or group is completely free to fundraise in whatever way they like – the more creative, the better.

Fundraise now!

1-10

11-20

Find out more about what you can do to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight 2024

Fairtrade Fortnight

Get Involved

Let’s make Fairtrade flowers bloom

Buying Fairtrade

Fairtrade Communities

Fairtrade and climate justice

The post 30 ways to celebrate 30 years of Fairtrade – Pt. 3 appeared first on Fairtrade Foundation.

Thank you to Fairtrade Fortnight 2023 campaigners

Stefan Donnelly — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:31:00 +0000

Photo credit: Rafael Ortiz Fábrega and Mayor Arif Hussain holding bags of the Grecia-High Wycombe Fairtrade Towns Partnership Celebration coffee.

From ferries to footballers, Fairtrade campaigners came together to support Fairtrade Fortnight 2023. Here’s just some of the amazing things they got up to.

Fairtrade Fortnight is the UK’s annual celebration of the impact of Fairtrade and took place from 27 February – 12 March 2023.

During that time our dedicated campaigners spread the word that choosing Fairtrade helps build a fairer future for food:

they ran an incredible 650+ events and initiatives
we estimate more than 10,000 people got involved in campaigning, both online and offline

A huge thank you to every single one of you.

We wish we could feature everyone, but instead spoke with a few Fairtrade campaigners about how they marked Fairtrade Fortnight 2023.

Aberdeen

Fairtrade campaigners at the University of Aberdeen

In Aberdeen, Transform Trade and the University of Aberdeen joined an online café to discuss unfairness in the fashion industry.

North Link Ferries, which sail from Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland, were just one of several businesses getting involved too.

They raised funds by adding a donation to all on-board sales of Fairtrade hot drinks.

Find Fairtrade Aberdeen’s film about Fairtrade Fortnight.

Gosport

Fairtrade Gosport brought local campaigners together to show politicians there is real local demand for action on climate.

Cllr Jamie Hutchinson, Mayor of Gosport, hosted a Fairtrade tea party at the Town Hall. A group of councillors and the Mayor himself heard how communities who did the least to cause climate change are feeling its worst effects, and that we all have a responsibility to take action.

Find Fairtrade Gosport’s Fortnight film.

High Wycombe

Campaigners in High Wycombe already have a long-term partnership with Grecia, a sister Fairtrade town in Costa Rica.

Working with a local roastery, Fairtrade High Wycombe produced a small batch of Fairtrade coffee grown in Grecia. The ambassador of Costa Rica joined a special event to celebrate the deep links between the two towns.

Portsmouth

More than 50% of Fairtrade bananas in the UK come through Portsmouth. Campaigners in the city put on a special ‘Banana Trail’ event at Portsmouth Museum and showed films about Fairtrade bananas on public big screens.

Supporters also hosted a special International Women’s Day event to show how choosing Fairtrade is one way to stand up for gender equality.

Watch Fairtrade Portsmouth’s film about Fairtrade Fortnight 2023.

Wales

All across Wales, schools, community groups, businesses and politicians were wowed by visiting Fairtrade farmers Nimrod and Jenipher.

Speaking everywhere from the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) to a special Fairtrade meal, Jenipher and Nimrod shared first-hand experience on the huge challenges of climate change and the difference more of us choosing Fairtrade could make.

Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton Fairtrade campaigners

Wolverhampton Fairtrade Partnership got the Fairtrade message in front of Wulfrunians with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC’s Wolves Foundation.

As well as a special event at the Premier League team’s Molineux stadium, the Foundation offered local children lots of opportunities to find out more about Fairtrade, including an art competition to design a new Fairtrade mascot!

Digital road signs also proudly proclaimed Wolverhampton’s status as a Fairtrade town.

Watch Wolverhampton Fairtrade Partnership’s film about what they got up to.

Become a Fairtrade campaigner

We hope these events inspired you as much as they inspired us.

Want to get involved? Our Fairtrade Fortnight Digital Campaign Pack includes lots of ideas, resources and tips on how to get started.

Photo credit: Rafael Ortiz Fábrega and Mayor Arif Hussain holding bags of the Grecia-High Wycombe Fairtrade Towns Partnership Celebration coffee.

Shoppers concerned over climate threat to favourite foods

Fairtrade Foundation — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 00:00:32 +0000

Survey for Fairtrade Fortnight 2023 shows that consumers would be ‘devastated’ to lose their favourite foods to climate change, with many already adapting the way they shop.

60 percent of British people would be ‘devastated, annoyed or upset’ if chocolate was no longer available to buy in the UK. Over half (54%) would feel the same about losing coffee or bananas.

Read the full report

In new consumer research, conducted by 3Gem Research & Insights for Fairtrade Fortnight 2023, it was revealed that approximately 80 percent of UK consumers bought at least one bar of chocolate and at least one banana in their weekly supermarket shop, and drank at least one cup of coffee a day.

Yet all of these favourite foods are threatened by climate change – from rising temperatures to more extreme weather – as well as a loss of biodiversity thanks to deforestation and use of pesticides.

In fact, Fairtrade cocoa farmers in Ghana told us, during their last harvest, that they don’t see a future in the crop because it’s so difficult to grow.

However, the research, which polled 2,000 people in the UK, showed many didn’t realise the looming threats to our food.

40 percent either ‘don’t care’ or ‘rarely check’ the country of origin for foods like bananas, coffee and cocoa
37 percent are either unsure, or don’t believe, that climate change will affect their weekly shop

The cost of living crisis is also having an impact, with 43 percent saying that paying their energy bills is ‘a bigger concern to them than climate change and damage being done to the planet’.

Small changes, big impact

But that does not mean that people don’t care:

38 percent are already making changes to their lifestyle and shopping habits to limit their impact on the planet
64 percent either agree or strongly agree that ‘buying sustainably sourced food in the supermarket is a lifestyle change you can make to help protect food grown in countries at risk of climate change’.

In fact nearly half (44 percent) of people choose products that are sustainably sourced when they go shopping, whether these are Fairtrade, organic, vegan or locally produced.

And the good news is, this does not have to be expensive. Fairtrade products such as tea, coffee and bananas are available at affordable prices nationwide including in own-label discount ranges.

You can find many Fairtrade supermarket staples in our blog Are Fairtrade products really more expensive?

This Fairtrade Fortnight, Fairtrade is highlighting these issues with our exciting Endangered Aisle pop up.

Open to the public from 28 February – 2 March, the store will bring alive the potential effects of climate breakdown on our weekly shop.

Find out more on our Fairtrade Fortnight page.

Why does choosing Fairtrade make a difference?

With Fairtrade’s support – including our Minimum Price, Premium, Standards and Programmes – farmers get better pay. The more money farmers have, the more they can build their resilience to the climate crisis.

Just look at Latin America and the Caribbean – in 2022, producers from more than 100 Fairtrade organisations across 20 countries planted more than 300,000 trees in six months.

This Fairtrade Fortnight we hope UK shoppers will back Fairtrade, and farming communities overseas. Together we can play our part in safeguarding their livelihoods, the future of the food they grow, and our shared planet.

Photo: Kenny Akande, a visitor at The Endangered Aisle as part of Fairtrade Fortnight 2023. Photo credit: Matt Alexander/PA Wire.

Go a little deeper…

Fairtrade Fortnight

10 February, 2023

Our next Fairtrade Fortnight will be from 9 September – 22 September 2024.

How campaigners are taking part in Fairtrade Fortnight

This Fairtrade Fortnight (27 February – 12 March 2023) our campaigners are springing into action to support Fairtrade – there’s still time to take part!

The post Shoppers concerned over climate threat to favourite foods appeared first on Fairtrade Foundation.

How campaigners are taking part in Fairtrade Fortnight

Fairtrade Staff — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 09:20:52 +0000

For over 20 years, Fairtrade campaigners have played a crucial role in demanding a fairer, greener, more sustainable future for our food.

This Fairtrade Fortnight (27 February – 12 March) Fairtrade campaigners are once again springing into action to support Fairtrade farmers and workers. There’s plenty to take part in across the UK.

Join Fairtrade campaigners

Newcastle-Under-Lyme: Fairtrade bananas doing parkrun

4, 11 March

At Hanley Park in Stoke-on-Trent and The Wammy in Newcastle-under-Lyme, campaigners will take part in parkruns dressed in banana suits.

Afterwards, there will be meet-ups in a nearby café, where runners can refuel with Fairtrade staples: a banana, coffee or tea.

A great example of how fun community events can bring people together to talk about trade and climate justice.

Hanley parkrun, Stoke-on-Trent: Saturday 4 March
Wammy parkrun, Newcastle-Under-Lyme: Saturday 11 March
For more information visit the Sustainable Exercise Partnership Twitter or Newcastle-Under-Lyme Facebook group.

Farming communities uniting online

10 March

The Scottish Fair Trade Forum are bringing together rural food-growing communities in Scotland and Malawi with the launch of a film co-made by farmers and community groups in the two countries.

They will discuss ways to tackle issues like food insecurity, climate change and unfair trade both locally and globally.

Harrow, London: Fairtrade Tea Party

4 March

The Stonegrove Community Trust in Edgware have partnered with GROW, Co-op and Harrow Fairtrade Association to host a family Fairtrade Tea Party on Saturday 4 March, 3-5pm. Head there to learn more about how choosing Fairtrade can help to save the future of our favourite foods.

Throughout Fairtrade Fortnight, the Stonegrove centre will be hosting an art exhibition, celebrating local artists inspired by nature and the environment.

Find out more on the Harrow Fairtrade Twitter account.

Wolverhampton: a Premier League Fairtrade partnership

1 March

Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership have partnered with Wolves Foundation, the official charity of the Wolverhampton Wanderers, to host a fantastic event this Fairtrade Fortnight.

Celebrate Fairtrade Day (10am-1pm) will include fun activities such as football sessions, Fairtrade workshops and a Molineux Stadium tour.

Follow Fairtrade Wolverhampton on Twitter for the latest updates.

Brent, London: Fairtrade film festival

5 March

Partnering with their local cinema, The Lexi in Kensal Rise, the Brent Fairtrade Network have organised a viewing of new documentary, Fashion Reimagined.

Hear from director, Becky Hutner, on what genuine sustainable fashion can look like. Brent Fairtrade group will also speak about how choosing Fairtrade cotton supports farmers severely disadvantaged by an unfair fashion industry.

Why not host your own Fashion Reimagined screening, and maybe your local Fairtrade group can get involved?

Across the UK: Co-op live events

Throughout Fortnight

Co-op is holding a range of events to showcase Fairtrade products and explain the positive impact of choosing to buy Fairtrade.

Stores will be hosting fun activities like Fairtrade treasure hunts, giveaways and displays of films and posters.

On Monday 27 February, in Enfield, north London, Co-op members will be joined by Enfield Fairtrade representatives and the local mayor, Doris Jiagge.

Find out more about Co-op’s Fairtrade Fortnight events on the Co-op website.

Cardiff: Fairtrade Supper Club

10 March

Fairtrade Wales have organised a number of great activities across Fairtrade Fortnight 2023.

Their flagship event, organised in partnership with Cardiff refugee kitchen Oasis, features a night of delicious Fairtrade food and stories, as we learn about the people who produce the food and drink we consume every day.

The Fairtrade dinner will also include films of some of the producers behind the ingredients used.

Book your place for the Fairtrade supper club.

Leatherhead: free Fairtrade bananas for kids

Pupils of St Peter’s Primary School, a Fairtrade School in Leatherhead, started a petition to include Fairtrade bananas in the Government’s free fruit for schools scheme.

While this petition is now closed, it collected over 6,000 signatures and their local MP is now asking questions in Parliament. A demonstration of just how powerful collective action (of all ages) can be!

Watch the pupils of St Peter’s explain why they started the petition in their fantastic short video.

Photos:

Simon and Milton at The Wammy Fairtrade Fortnight parkrun 2022. Credit: STEP (Sustainable Exercise Partnership).
A Co-op stall with campaigners Barbara Judd and Mike DeVilliers.

Get involved, make a difference

Fairtrade Fortnight

Our next Fairtrade Fortnight will be from 9 September – 22 September 2024.

Fairtrade Fortnight for Businesses

10 June, 2020

Fairtrade Fortnight 2023 takes place from 27 February to 12 March 2023. This is how your business can get involved.

The post How campaigners are taking part in Fairtrade Fortnight appeared first on Fairtrade Foundation.

Fairtrade demands action from delegates at COP27

Fairtrade Foundation — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 11:14:37 +0000

In an open letter, Fairtrade calls on Member States at COP27 to ‘honour their climate promises’ and ‘act now’ for our planet’s farmers.

The climate clock is ticking

Dear government leaders, global dignitaries and United Nations delegates:

We demand action. As representatives of over 1.9 million Fairtrade farmers and the thousands of global businesses sourcing from them, we see first-hand how the climate crisis directly and disproportionately impacts the people in our supply chains.

Increasingly volatile weather is damaging crops and harming the livelihoods of farmers and agricultural workers. Extreme weather events are sweeping away farming communities. It is threatening the very products consumers around the world have long enjoyed..

Unless we clamp down hard and fast on global emissions and support farmers in low- and middle-income countries to build climate resilience, all of us will suffer.

That’s why Fairtrade is calling on you to step up, take action and honour your climate promises. We want you to ensure that the needs of farming communities in historically disenfranchised regions around the world are prioritised in the COP27 outcome and in your governments’ individual trade and Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) policies.

Listen to Fairtrade farmers

We welcome the climate finance commitments that Member States reconfirmed last year in Glasgow, Scotland at COP26.

However, we fear these announcements will not benefit the farming communities we work with unless those communities themselves are able to contribute to the design of the funds. 

Bringing farmers and their communities in at the design stage will help ensure that funding gets where it is needed.

Fairtrade farmers have unique insights into the climate adaptation and mitigation inputs they need. They have informed thinking on how external support can build their resilience, halt deforestation and prepare for changing weather. Farmers are also the ones on the ground during implementation.

Bringing farmers and their communities in at the design stage will help ensure that funding gets where it is needed and is used effectively.

Support human and labour rights

We also call on you to negotiate trade agreements that support human and labour rights and the highest environmental standards with a view to drastically reduce carbon emissions.

This is to:

Drive best practices and low-carbon innovation
Encourage the production and trade of sustainable products
Encourage the uptake of sustainable technologies along supply chains and
Encourage an investment in sustainable freight options.

All trade agreements must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to human rights, International Labour Organisation conventions, Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement through binding and enforceable requirements.

Tackle the root causes of deforestation

Finally, we urge you to set policies on HREDD that tackle the root causes of deforestation.

HREDD regulations must include robust measures to penalise companies that do not comply with climate regulations. They must ensure that smallholder farmers and workers are financially supported with the cost of complying with due diligence measures.

Smallholder farmers and workers cannot be left alone to shoulder the costs of a climate change they did not cause.

At Fairtrade, we are proud to take the lead in calling for a more equitable and sustainable trade system that delivers fairness and climate action to our planet’s farmers and their communities. And, together with our partners, we remain firm in our resolve as we call upon global leaders to do what is right at COP27 and beyond.

The time for action is now.

We are doing our part to ensure a sustainable and inclusive future for all. Now, it’s up to you to do yours.

Thank you,

Sandra Uwera, Global CEO, Fairtrade International

Fairtrade’s fight for climate justice

Fairtrade and climate justice

10 January, 2023

Join the communities living with the worst effects of climate change in fighting for Climate Justice.

COP26: Be fair with your climate promise

6 October, 2021

Farming communities are on the front line of the climate crisis. 1.8 million Fairtrade farmers and workers are calling for urgent action, asking governments at COP26 to be fair with their $100 billion climate promise. Sign the petition to support farmers around the world.

The post Fairtrade demands action from delegates at COP27 appeared first on Fairtrade Foundation.

How to support Fairtrade farmers this Great Big Green Week

Fairtrade Foundation — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 11:19:28 +0000

Sign our Community Declaration, plant some seeds – or simply pop something Fairtrade in your shopping basket.

This Great Big Green Week (24 September to 2 October 2022) the Fairtrade Foundation is asking people to ‘Sow their Solidarity’ with farmers overseas, who are already facing the worst impacts of climate change.

You can do this in three ways.

1. Sign your Community Declaration

We’re asking as many people as possible to sign their local Community Declaration. This will show local politicians in your area that there is real grassroots support for global action on climate justice. This is even more important as the COP27 climate summit takes place this November.

Sign your declaration

2. Plant wildflowers

This Great Big Green Week, thousands of Fairtrade campaigners are literally ‘Sowing their Solidarity’ by planting native British wildflower seeds in their community.

By joining them, you can:

Protect and enhance local biodiversity
Show your solidarity with farmers in low-income countries who are already working hard to tackle the worst effects of climate change.

We recently gave away about 5,000 packets of seeds, which we can’t wait to see being planted. If you missed out, you could pick up some seeds from the RSPB shop or the Oxfam shop.

Don’t forget to share your amazing planting with the hashtags #GreatBigGreenWeek and #SowYourSolidarity.

3. Make a Fairtrade purchase

A coffee farmer at the Combrifol co-operative in Honduras.

Picking up Fairtrade teabags, chocolate or even a bunch of Fairtrade flowers is better for humanity – and the planet.

Around the world, Fairtrade farmers are already investing in climate-smart farming techniques, planting trees, and protecting their communities against extreme weather.

Choosing Fairtrade means choosing more power and more income for farmers taking on the climate crisis.

Your voice matters

Right now, communities in low-income countries that have done the least to cause the climate crisis are seeing its worst effects. They are also often the same communities unable to earn enough for a decent life due to unfair trade and extreme global inequality.

By taking part in our ‘Sow Your Solidarity’ campaign, you are supporting our efforts to challenge the governments of wealthy and high-polluting countries – including the UK – to stick to promises made at COP26 in 2021. These governments promised to fund the work agricultural communities are already doing to take action on the climate crisis.

A year on, many of these communities, including Fairtrade farmers and workers, are still waiting.

We are running out of time to get this right. our global food supply is threatened by climate change. Communities here in the UK are playing their part – now our political leaders need to do likewise.
Stefan Donnelly, Campaigns Supporter Engagement Manager at the Fairtrade Foundation

What is Great Big Green Week?

The Fairtrade Foundation is an official partner of Great Big Green Week, which is run by the Climate Coalition. It’s the UK’s biggest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.

Dozens of Fairtrade campaigners are running events during Great Big Green Week to highlight how fairer trade is crucial in tackling the climate crisis. Check out six of our favourite events so far, and visit the Great Big Green Week website for many more.

Find out more

Fairtrade and climate justice

10 January, 2023

Join the communities living with the worst effects of climate change in fighting for Climate Justice.

The post How to support Fairtrade farmers this Great Big Green Week appeared first on Fairtrade Foundation.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2022 highlights

Fairtrade Foundation — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 14:10:15 +0000

by Caroline Hillam

This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight was a huge success. Thousands of campaigners across the country came together with speakers from around the world to campaign for fairer pay for farmers and combat climate change.

We wanted to showcase some of our amazing activists in the hope of inspiring future campaigns. This is just a selection of the hundreds of events that took place and the many ways Fairtrade campaigners are backing farmers’ demands for climate justice, as well ideas for how you can get involved.

Fairtrade London walk

Campaigners taking their message across Tower Bridge

On 25th February, campaigners took to the streets of London for a three hour walk through some of the city’s most historic areas.

They learned about London as a global trading centre, the history of some of Fairtrade’s most popular products, such as coffee, tea, and sugar. They also learned about the transatlantic slave trade and the links to modern day inequalities that Fairtrade’s supply chains are seeking to address.

Looking at the walkways linking the wharfs in Shad Thames on our #Fairtrade #London walk. Great turnout and good weather #FairtradeFortnight #Fairbruary pic.twitter.com/w9lDaWKo2X
— Fairtrade London (@FairtradeLondon) February 25, 2022

Why we love this

Walking around your local area is not only a great way to raise visual awareness of Fairtrade within your community, but it is also a socially distanced way to campaign together and get your steps in!

How to get involved

Explore Fairtrade London’s website for resources and upcoming events in your local London borough.

Visit Fairtrade London’s website

If you want to put on your own walk but don’t live in London, don’t worry; use our map to find your local Fairtrade community.

Use the Fairtrade Communities Map

Arts University Bournemouth

On 4th March, the Arts University of Bournemouth put on a Willy Wonka inspired Chocolate Farm display to help educate people about cocoa supply chains and choosing Fairtrade chocolate.

Students came together to create their own interpretations of a cocoa farm and included facts about the cocoa industry.

People were invited to come along and add to the ‘wish tree’ to demonstrate how they want the world to look in the future. Wishes ranged from eradicating global poverty to combating climate change.

Other displays put on by the university students included informative tents about production chains including bananas, coffee and cotton.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fairtrade Chocolate Farm (@fairtradechocfarm)

Students set up stalls around campus to educate passers by.

Why we love this

We love this because it’s a creative way to show you care! You can create something visually beautiful while raising awareness at the same time. This is a great activity to do with your local community and fun for all ages.

How to get involved

To get your institution involved, visit the Fairtrade Universities and Colleges webpage

If you simply want to get involved with some creative ways to spread the message, explore our resources library where you can find inspiration for your next project.

Visit the Fairtrade Resources Library

Fair Fashion? A conversation on fashion, race and climate justice, Fair Trade Wales

On 2nd March experts came together to discuss fashion, race and climate justice alongside the Sub Sahara Africa Panel (SSAP). The panel included a fashion designer activist, an educator and campaigner, and Fairtrade’s Senior Cotton and Textile lead.

The conversation centred around facts about the fashion industry’s contribution towards global carbon emissions, and therefore climate change. The fashion industry’s impact doesn’t stop there, it also has a huge human impact and has often relied on the exploitation of workers, 80% of which are women of colour.

Thank you for coming to our event: Fair Fashion? A conversation on fashion, race and climate justice. Keep an eye on our socials for the recording

Diolch am ddod i’n digwyddiad: Ffasiwn Teg?. Cadwch lygad ar ein sianeli am y recordiad#FairtradeFortnight #PythefnosMasnachDeg pic.twitter.com/jCF1GELzOM
— Fair Trade Wales (@FairTradeWales) March 2, 2022

Fairtrade supports cotton farmers disadvantaged by global trade, enabling them to sell their goods at a decent price so they can provide for themselves and their families.

Why we love this

We love this because it delves into the deeper issues surrounding the relationship between race and fair pay, while also addressing fast fashion and the impact it has on the 350 million people working in the cotton sector, the majority of whom come from Central and West Asia and Africa.

How to get involved

Learn more about how Fairtrade works with cotton workers

Get inspired by watching more events from this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight

Fairtrade trail, Reigate Fairtrade community

Fairtrade campaigners in Reigate organised a ‘Fairtrade trail’ tour around the town, showing off the great local businesses where we can buy and try Fairtrade.

They were even joined by the Mayor, who announced the winner of a competition to win a Fairtrade hamper.

Rachel and I had a fun morning supporting Cllr Ritter with the launch of Reigate Fairtrade Fortnight. We visited all the shops taking part including the Rose room, the Cook shop, Simply Sport and Oxfam. pic.twitter.com/Z5yswEbBL0
— Mayor of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead (@RBBCMayor) February 28, 2022

Campaigners gathered in Reigate to spread information about Fairtrade and visit local businesses.

Why we love this

We love this because it not only helps you learn where you can source Fairtrade products locally, but it also shows support for the businesses who sell Fairtrade products.

How to get involved

Discover which businesses partner with Fairtrade and where to find Fairtrade products.

Visit the Buying Fairtrade webpage

Or if you’re a business owner, learn how your business can get involved.

Visit the Fairtrade for Business webpage

Coffee ceremony, Harrow Fairtrade community

As part of Fairtrade Fortnight, on 22nd February visitors to Café Connect, part of Stanmore Baptist Church in London, were treated to a Fairtrade chocolate and coffee.

There was also a demonstration of traditional Sudanese coffee which was served in little glass cups from a traditional East African coffee pot called a Jabana, with dates and popcorn.

Coffee is served in a Jabana, a traditional East African coffee pot.

Why we love this

We love this since it’s a fantastic opportunity to bring your community together while also learning about other cultures. Not to mention enjoying delicious Fairtrade coffee and chocolate at the same time – yum!

How to get involved

Learn how you can involve your faith group with Fairtrade campaigning

Hear from Fairtrade coffee farmers about their industry and experiences

Flying the Fairtrade flags, ReCreate Mossley

Mossley celebrated 10 years of Fairtrade status by literally flying the flags for Fairtrade Fortnight. These beautiful silk, batik flags were designed and created by the local community in creative workshops.

Since then, they’ve been brightening up the centre of the town, providing a talking point for the local community to find out more about the people behind our favourite products and choose a fairer deal for them through their consumer choices.

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT continues & we may feel overwhelmed & powerless in the face of crises like war & climate change

but we do make choices every day about the kind of world we want to live in

Choose FAIRTRADE#givefairtedawave #FairtradeFortnight2022 pic.twitter.com/jDHvhl9hop
— ReCreate Mossley (@recreatemossley) March 1, 2022

Why we love this

We love this because its celebrating shared history with campaigners and seeing how much of a difference people make over the years. It’s a bold statement and a way to get your town talking about Fairtrade.

How to get involved

You too could celebrate milestones campaigning with Fairtrade by getting involved with some of our campaigns now.

Visit our Campaigns webpage

Find out how together, our impact has improved the lives of so many people over the last 25 years.

Read about the history of Fairtrade

Vox pops, Brent Fairtrade community

Campaigners in Brent visited local shops to ask people in their area what Fairtrade meant to them.

‘Vox Pops’ are a short videos made up of interviews with public, literally meaning ‘voice of the people’. These videos are a great way to find out how your community sees Fairtrade and an opportunity to give people more information about how Fairtrade works and what products are available to buy.

After being asked what Fairtrade means to them, one person said: ‘From the source to the supermarket, it’s produced in a way that’s not exploitative. Everyone within that chain is being paid fairly and it’s ethically sourced.’

Another said it means ‘trade that does not damage the planet and it’s fair for consumers and producers alike.’

This is just one example of how social movements and Fairtrade activists can harness the power of social media to influence the market.

Why we love this

We love this because it’s involving the public in the conversation. This opens up discourse around what people know about Fairtrade already and creates the opportunity to educate about the importance of fair pay for farmers.

How to get involved

Film your own vox pops or community action and share it with the world!

Remember to tag us or use the hashtags #Fairtrade or #ChooseFairtrade when you post so we can see all your creations.

Informing the communi-tree, Skipton Fairtrade & Water Street Primary School

Local children from Water Street Primary School wrote special messages directed to world leaders for Fairtrade Fortnight. The tree guards were decorated with messages urging MPs to deliver on promises made at COP26.

As a result, these messages will be shared with the local MP. What great campaign work from such young campaigners.

‘Keep your promises to people and the planet’, one message reads.

Why we love this

We love this because the new generation are game changers. Young people are at the forefront of fighting climate change because they are the ones it will affect the most.

How to get involved

Find out how to involve your school and include Fairtrade within the curriculum.

Find information and resources on Fairtrade Schools

The banana campaigner, Croydon Fairtrade community

Fairtrade Fortnight wouldn’t be right without a dancing banana. And that’s exactly what one brave campaigner in Croydon decided to take on to raise awareness.

https://twitter.com/AnnieSalte/status/1497131354936467470?s=20&t=CMICpKSQ1o08sLgpR0svjQ

Why we love this

We love this because campaigning can be silly! Don’t be afraid to dress up, put your game face on and show the world how much you care about fighting global poverty and climate change, even if that is through interpretative dance!

Feeling inspired?

Campaigning doesn’t stop at Fairtrade Fortnight! If you’ve been inspired to get started then explore our website for upcoming events and resources.

Visit our Campaign webpage

Spread the word on why fairer trade is a critical part in winning climate justice!

Join your local Fairtrade community

If you have any questions please contact us and our team will be happy to support you getting started.

5 ways choosing Fairtrade supports farmers to adapt to climate change

30 April, 2021

20 years of Fairtrade Communities: the power of collective action

22 November, 2021

The post Fairtrade Fortnight 2022 highlights appeared first on Fairtrade Foundation.