Fairtrade Fortnight – 26th Feb to 11th March

Especially in the coming weeks, as you reach for the teapot or savour your next cup of coffee give a thought as to how the leaves and coffee beans arrived to your table.  There is an alternative approach to conventional trade.  It is based on a partnership between some of the most disadvantaged farmers and workers in the developing world and the people who buy their products.  At the heart of  this ‘fair trade’ are farmers and workers  who can sell on Fairtrade terms.  This  provides them with a better deal: an opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future.

When a product carries the ‘Fairtrade Mark‘ it means it was produced according to international  Fairtrade standards. These standards ensure that the products are socially and economically fair and environmentally responsible. Key standards include: the payment of a minimum price which protects farmers and workers from fluctuations in the market prices of the products they grow. It means that they can have an assured and stable income.

Over the past 12 months, Fairtrade Ireland have made some amazing progress through developing meaningful trading partnerships with key consumer outlets in Ireland. see their website and check out their Facebook Page for up and coming events such as ‘Hot Coffee: From disposable cups to disposable lives’ on 28th February.    SDG’s – The Case for Partnership

What can you do?

• Check out your local supermarket and ask them about Fairtrade products?
• Check-out and change over to as many Fairtrade items as you can in your regular shopping basket.
• Switch to using Fairtrade Tea, Coffee or Sugar if you are not already using these.
• Host a ‘fair trade’ event and share it during this fortnight.
• Take to Social Media (Twitter, Faceboook, Instagram, Snapchat) and share posts with friends not forgetting to use #checkoutfairtrade.