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| the directory fairtrade |
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The range of Fairtrade products have increased enormously in the last couple of years, which is fantastic news. What does concern me a little are the large multinationals with otherwise dreadful reputations (yes I do mean Nestle) jumping on the bandwagon and launching a Fairtrade product to give themselves a little credibility. It's the Fairtrade equivalent of green-washing. Obviously it's good for the growers they're dealing with, but in most cases I still think it's better to buy from a company with a real Fairtrade ethos. For individual Cafes
serving Fairtrade products please look for the F in
the listing. |
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| campaigning groups | |
| Action Aid | |
| Action Aid are a international charity that have a child sponsorship programme to help children in the third world. Fairtrade Coffee Break  In the UK Action Aid promote the Fairtrade coffee break each year during Fairtrade Fortnight, why not hold an event in your workplace, school or even at home, for your friends. This years coffee break is on Saturday 4 March, if you don't fancy holding your own event, contact Action Aid and they'll let you know about events in your area. If you're outside the UK, I'm sure there are similar events in your country. |
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| The Fairtrade Federation (USA) | |
 The Fairtrade Federation is the organisation with the USA for promoting Fairtrade products and are the guardians of the Fairtrade mark within the USA. The website has lots of resources, links to events for World Fairtrade Day and links to Fairtrade organisations. |
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| The Fairtrade Foundation (UK) | |
 The Fairtrade Foundation are the guardians of the Fairtrade mark in the UK. For International links go to Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International. Look for this mark for Fairtrade products in your local stores. Also on the Fairtrade Foundation site are lists of products available from all the major supermarkets. The Fairtrade Foundation also promote Fairtrade Fortnight which is 1-13th March 2005, look out for Fairtrade events and special displays in your local food shops. |
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| Global Exchange (USA) | |
Global Exchange is a San Francisco based international human rights organization dedicated to promoting environmental, political and social justice. Since their founding in 1988, they have increased the US public's global awareness while building partnerships worldwide. They have an online Fairtrade shop selling a really good range of things. Take a look. |
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| Oxfam UK | |
| We all have a charity that hits home with us personally and for me it's Oxfam. I don't know if there's any defining reason why I pick them amongst all the others out there doing great work. I'm thinking about it as I write this. I suppose the things about Oxfam that appeal to me, they're secular I don't like the idea of giving with one hand and saying sign here with the other, they always seem ready to react, speed is so often imperative and I suppose I trust them. Yes that's it trust. |
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| People and Planet (UK) | |
People and Planet are a UK student group, set-up to encourage student action on world poverty, human rights and the environment. |
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| Trade Justice Movement | |
 The Trade Justice Movement is a fast growing group of organisations including trade unions, aid agencies, environment and human rights campaigns, fairtrade organisations, faith and consumer groups. The movement is supported by more than 70 member organisations that have over 9 million members, and new organisations are joining every month. |
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| World Fairtrade Day | |
 World Fair Trade Day is a celebration of Fair Trade internationally, with events organised worldwide. On and around May 8th, International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) member organisations based in 60 countries, along with Fair Trade shops and networks, hosted events with campaigning and lobbying - all with the aim of promoting fairer trade with marginalised and small scale producers in the majority world. |
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| fairtrade retailers | |
| British Association for Fairtrade Shops | |
| The British Association for Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS) is a network of independent Fair Trade or World Shops across the UK. BAFTS was established in 1995 and is an information, support and campaigning organisation for its members. |
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| BoBelle - Fairtrade Fashion Homeware & Gifts | |
 BoBelle sell a great range of Fairtrade and recycled fashion, home-ware and gifts. I also like the way they clearly state their ethos, so the customer can see exactly where they stand. They say "BoBelle is committed solely to fair-trade and strives to live and trade in an ethical manner. To the best of their knowledge, each one of their suppliers adopts a fair-trade attitude which comprises of working under suitable and safe working conditions, being paid at least the minimum wage and never negotiating on price. In order to maintain this, BoBelle have very close relationships with their suppliers; all of whom adopt this same positive attitude." Sounds good to me. I know BoBelle attend some markets in the London area, so if you're interested in seeing the goods hands-on it may be worth emailing through the website to see if they're going to be at a market near you. |
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| Co-op (UK) | |
If you are going to shop in a UK supermarket chain the Co-op is probably the one to choose. They have a great selection of own brand fair-trade goods including coffee, tea chocolate, orange juice, wine and a really great chocolate cake. There is a list on the website showing all the Fairtrade products available. Make sure you become a member though it enables you to have something of a say in the way the Co-op is run. Their dividend card also gives you money back on all your purchases and you can always donate a percentage to charity. |
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| Ethical Shopper | |
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| Fair Deal Trading | |
 Suppliers of Wildberry's fairtrade sneakers. Why buy shoes produced in a third world sweatshop when these great fairtrade sneakers are available to be delivered direct to your door. Also they're 100% vegan. |
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| FairGanic | |
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They also have the iconic
'Nuclear Power? No Thanks' design. |
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| People Tree (UK) | |
The statement on their website says "People
Tree is a pioneer in Fair Trade and Ecology Fashion. We work in close partnership
with 70 producer groups in 20 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America,
helping some of the world's most marginalised communities to improve their
lives through Fair Trade. We provide product design skills and assistance,
a fair price, regular orders and advance payment as needed. We also support
village welfare projects and schools for our producers' children." That
pretty much sums it up for me. |
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| Starbucks (UK) | |
| I'm not sure about the situation outside the UK, but certainly in the UK the coffee giant has started to offer Fairtrade coffee in it's stores. I went to my local Starbucks yesterday (29 March 2005), to check it out and they had Fairtrade filter coffee available! I'd like to see it all Fairtrade, bit it's a start. - Since writing the above we've spoken to Starbucks, and they say all their coffee is Fairtrade, but not all of it carries the Fairtrade mark! As far as I'm concerned that means it's not Fairtrade. |
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| Tam & Rob | |
Tam & Rob produces fashionable and stylish fairtrade womenswear which seems a bit more (how do I say this...?) interesting than some of the rather 'worthy utilitarian' fairtrade clothing that is available. The clothes are designed in London and created in India and Nepalusing fairtrade and organic cotton. The clothes are available to buy online from their website. They also post their clear ethical policy. |
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| Traidcraft | |
| In the introduction to their website they say, 'Traidcraft fights poverty through trade. We were established in 1979 as a Christian response to poverty. Traidcraft plc - our trading company - buys from poor people helping them build better lives through fair trade. Traidcraft Exchange - our charity - works with poor people to help them win their share of world trade.' They have a large online shop selling fairtrade foods, gifts, wine, fashion and all sorts for the home. |
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| fairtrade products available in the UK | |
At the moment I'm afraid I don't have the time to write reviews for all of the following, but I wanted to give you a feel for the number of products available. |
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| Cafe Direct | |
The UK's largest suppliers of Fairtrade tea, coffee and hot chocolate, available from most supermarkets in the UK. |
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| Divine Chocolate | |
 The story of Divine has the commitment to product excellence, and ensuring a better deal for Ghanaian cocoa farmers, at its heart. It is a story of a pioneering model proving that Fairtrade is a viable and sustainable way to do business in a major world market. And it is the story of an idea whose time had come amongst UK consumers keen to make better choices…. |
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| Percol Coffee | |
 This is the coffee of choice here at Wildberry's and boy I've tried quite a few. Percol's Guatemalan coffee is a past winner of the Soil Associations Organic Food Awards and fairtrade to boot. Highly recommended!
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| Clipper Teas | |
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| Green and Blacks | |
 Green and Blacks are makers of fine quality chocolate, unfortunately recently (early 2006) bought by Cadbury Schweppes. Their Maya Gold bar is the only one that's Fairtrade. |
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| Fruit Passion | |
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| Grenada Chocolate Company | |
 Said to be some of the best chocolate in the world, the thing that sells it for me is it is made by a co-operative owed by the farmers who grow the cocoa. The Grenada Chocolate Company Ltd.
was founded in 1999 with the idea of producing high quality Organic
dark chocolate in Grenada using local cocoa. Our factory is nestled
in lush cocoa groves in Grenada's pristine rainforest. |
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