As part of our
Lift the Label campaign, we have been asking students and young people in the UK and Ireland to make a noise about fair trade and request that it be stocked in the school or uni canteen/tuck shops.
If you are a Catering Manager or Shop Retailer that has been petitioned, then thank you for taking the time to look into this matter. We hope you begin to understand how fair trade guarantees a better future for third world producers.
Your decision as to whether to stock fair trade items could make a big difference to the lives of many people living in poverty in the developing world.
To receive a complete list of fair trade suppliers and products available for your canteen or shop, download our Lift the Label ethical directory and visit The Fairtrade Foundation website www.fairtrade.org.uk for regular updates on new products and suppliers.
FAIRTRADE FAQs
What is fair trade and why should I stock Fairtrade food items?
International trade affects the lives of millions of the world’s poorest people every day. When commodity prices fall it can have a catastrophic effect on millions of small-scale producers, forcing many of them into crippling debt and causing them to lose their land and their homes. Fair trade works by paying small-scale producers a secure, guaranteed price for their crops and giving them the security of knowing that they can plan for their future.
How can I tell which food items are fairly traded?
The Fairtrade Foundation, which was set up by major development agencies in 1992, launched an independent Fairtrade Mark in 1994. This mark guarantees that people producing the food we buy are guaranteed a fair wage and that they and their environment will be treated with respect.
What if my supplier doesn’t stock fair trade?
Either ask your supplier to stock it or consider changing to one who does! It is now easier than ever before to use fair trade products for catering purposes. More than 20 national suppliers offer a wide variety of fair trade products and services to the catering trade. Visit www.fairtrade.org.uk for a full list of fair trade suppliers and all of the products available. When contacting suppliers, please specify that you are interested in products carrying the Fairtrade Mark, and say that you saw their company listed in the Fairtrade Foundation’s catering directory.
Does fair trade coffee or chocolate cost a lot more?
Not necessarily. In the case of coffee it depends on the type of coffee and service the venue normally gets. Some fair trade coffees currently on offer are cheaper than some well-known brands. Even if fair trade coffee is as much as 10 per cent more expensive than the venue's current coffee, that would still probably work out at no more than a penny per cup more. Our research shows that selling fair trade products will be viewed positively by young people and students – and you may find that it attracts more customers and encourages more business as a result.
Isn’t fair trade food too expensive for young people and students to buy?
As the results of Tearfund’s lifestyle survey show, even though fair trade food items may cost a little extra – young people and students feel it is worth paying extra to know that the poor will benefit as a result. The more young people and students understand about the issues involved and the difference fair trade makes, the more likely they are to choose fair trade when they shop.
How can I promote Fairtrade products throughout the year?
The Fairtrade Foundation offers a range of free promotional materials, which publicise the availability of Fairtrade products, and explain what fair trade means. They include posters (various sizes), tent cards for tables, postcards and leaflets. Fairtrade Fortnight is organised each year in March – to draw attention to the issue of fair trade and encourage more people to choose Fairtrade products when they shop. You can order a Fairtrade Fortnight pack with ideas and resources for promotion in your school or uni from the Fairtrade Foundation.
For more information
Call:0207 405 5942
Email: mail@fairtrade.org.uk
Web: www.fairtrade.org.uk
Further information is available from the Tearfund trade campaign web pages: www.tearfund.org/campaigning