GONNA MAKE A CHANGE? |
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| Features - Earth | |||
 Fairtrade Fortnight The theme of this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight, 26 February – 11 March, is ‘Change Today. Choose Fairtrade.’ With more retailers than ever before stocking Fairtrade products and introducing their own lines, it has never been easier to do just that. Let Stranger be your guide... Words by Lotte Mahon
With more retailers than ever before stocking Fairtrade products and introducing their own lines, it has never been easier to do just that. Sales of Fairtrade products in the UK increase by around 40% each year but Fairtrade Foundation Executive Director Harriet Lamb wants to see a real progression in the Fairtrade movement: “Fairtrade has demonstrated its potential to help producers improve their livelihoods, strengthen their businesses and benefit their communities, but compared with what is needed in the poorer countries of the world, we’ve really only begun to make a dent in the struggle against poverty and unfair trade.” So we thought we would give you a helping hand with finding Fairtrade companies who can show you how and why to choose Fairtrade whenever you need some retail therapy. CO-OP Co-op is the leading retail supporter of Fairtrade Fortnight; it’s been heavily involved in promoting Fairtrade products since way back in 1992 when it became the first major retailer to sell Cafédirect coffee. Since then its Fairtrade range has increased to include no less than 110 Fairtrade product lines.  Fairtrade Argentine Wines
ADILI Adili takes its name from the Swahili word for 'ethical and just' and it believes that it is possible for fashion to be both stylish and made in an ethical and just way. They stock a variety of brands including Stranger favourites howies, Patagonia and Tonic along with a whole host of other cutting edge names in ethical fashion and jewellery design.  Ascension Jeans Ascension is a progressive street wear brand that use only organic Fairtrade certified cotton in all its designs. Their Fairtrade jeans offer a fashionable and affordable alternative to the mass-produced denims that flood the high street. What’s more, all profits from Ascension sales go directly to build schools, orphanages and health centres in India. The money will be used to improve the quality of life of its poorest people. Heavenly indeed. £49.95 www.adili.com
Ganesha import quality fairly traded home furnishings and accessories from India sourced and developed with co-operatives and producer associations. They support an alternative vision of trade, extending markets for marginalised producers and supplying the UK with life-enhancing goods. Their aim is that the producers should receive an income that improves their standard of living and community, and they work to increase wages in India.  Wola Nani Bowl The Wola Nani Project in Cape Town, South Africa creates these chic and eye-catching bowls. Established in 1994 as a non-profit organisation to help bring relief to the communities hardest hit by the HIV crisis, through their income generating activities the project supports women in the production of a variety of crafts including these papier-mâché bowls. A great product and a fantastic project to support; why not buy two? From £7.99 www.ganesha.co.uk TRAIDCRAFT  Geobar Celia Gonzalez keeps bees and is a member of Apicoop, the Chilean co-operative that supplies Traidcraft with honey. She believes that without the fair price and secure market for her honey, she would have had to break up her family and move to the city to try to earn enough money to provide for them. Her honey is used in Traidcraft’s Geobars, which are the UK’s best-selling fairly traded health snack, and the profits from these sales have helped Celia finish her high school education. From £9.00 for a box of 24 www.traidcraftshop.co.uk
For more information on Fairtrade Fortnight please visit www.fairtrade.org.uk |
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