Fair trade Products

Great little documentary about Fairtrade Coffee by Luke Upchurch and "Just Coffee"

2010-09-16T12:21:00.000-07:00

Three Great Ways to Help People in Pakistan: Donate, Petition or Play!

2010-09-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

DONATE
More than 20 million people have been affected by flooding in Pakistan. Oxfam are already helping over 460,000 and aim to reach around 1.3 million with vital water, sanitation and hygiene. Help with a donation however big or small at http://www.oxfam.org.uk/

PETITION
Whilst tens of millions struggle to survive the flood devastation, 30% of Pakistan's budget revenue will be sent abroad to foreign creditors for massive loans made to dictators years ago. Sign the petition to stop Pakistan's crippling debt: http://www.avaaz.org/en/pakistan_cancel_the_debt/?cl=724330714&v=7058

OR PLAY!
... with a great little Fairtrade football from Pakistan...
http://www.fairgift.co.uk/view_item.aspx?uid=25foa2felprutr5531j0dlyy&itemID=1184&CategoryREF=25000

Fairtrade Chocolate Producer Video

2010-09-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

Nice piece from the BBC about Fairtrade cocoa producers in Ghana...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11139512

The Story of Fairgift

2010-08-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

The story of Fairgift is now available via podcast on a new website called 'Busibuddies'. Questions or comments welcome!

http://busibuddies.queo.pt/media/podcasts/Brian_Walmsley_mp3.mp3

3 Ideas for Eco & Fairtrade Happiness

2010-08-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

1. Sign-up at http://www.1010global.org/uk
Seven weeks to go until 10:10:10 - the global 'Day of Doing' to cut carbon pollution on 10 October.

2. Make it easier to turn your lights off!
Let's change the clocks in the UK to get an extra hour of sunshine in the evening. Sign the petition at lighterlater.org

3. Give a Flower with a Heart
Sales of Fairtrade flowers in the UK now over 30MM from suppliers like this one www.interflora.co.uk/category/fair-trade-flowers/

Producer Video - Myakka India

2010-08-02T14:32:00.001-07:00

Producer Video - Noah's Ark

2010-08-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

STOP SEX TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

2010-07-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

The Body Shop has launched an important global campaign to stop sex trafficking of children and young people all over the world.

As part of this, they have a petition calling upon governments to implement strict anti-trafficking policies and legislation, and dedicate more resources to help victims of trafficking. The signed petition will go to the United Nations in 2011.

Please take a moment to sign it online at http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/_en/_gb/values-campaigns/stop-trafficking-sign-petition-market.aspx

Summer Sale - Up to 50% off Fair Trade gifts & products

2010-07-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

Pick yourself up a Fair Trade bargain at the Fairgift Summer Sale...

As usual, free UK delivery on all orders of £30 or more.

New Arrivals

2010-04-22T13:42:00.000-07:00

Lots of wonderful new products launched as part of the Fairgift Spring Collection...
http://www.fairgift.co.uk/items_browse_by_category.aspx?CategoryREF=80000

And a few bargains too...
http://www.fairgift.co.uk/items_browse_by_category.aspx?CategoryREF=70000

Are you a Co-op customer? If so, get voting...

2009-06-21T03:19:00.000-07:00

The Co-operative Bank is inviting its customers to vote. Up to £100,000 is available, and the proportion each cause / organisation gets depends entirely on how many people vote.

It's very simple & quick and you don't have to give any personal details.

* Go to the Co-operative Bank's You vote, we'll donate page:
http://www.goodwithmoney.co.uk/you-vote-we-ll-donate/

The Great British Refurb

2009-06-10T15:03:00.000-07:00

Interesting campaign calling on government to offer new ways to pay for green refurbishment of their homes: www.greatbritishrefurb.co.uk

The theory is quite simple. We’ve got to massively reduce the amount of energy we use in the home and then try and source as much of the energy we do need from renewable sources. In practice, that’s quite a challenge across the UK’s 26 million homes.

The Big Lunch

2009-06-01T15:10:00.000-07:00

Imagine a summer's day on which millions of us, throughout the UK, sit down to have lunch together. Well it's happening on 19th July.

Check out the website to find out where your nearst lunch is or, even better, set it up www.thebiglunch.com

Women in Ethical Business Awards.

2009-05-28T15:12:00.000-07:00

Some inspirational people to read about and/or vote for at http://www.triodos.co.uk/uk/whats_new/events/WEBA

Had a great holiday recently?

2009-04-14T02:03:00.000-07:00

Nominations for the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards are now open.

The central tenet of the Awards is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people.

http://www.responsibletourismawards.com/

ethical.tv

2009-04-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

www.ethical.tv is the first dedicated global online TV website for films, stories, news and views about ethical lifestyle issues that affect people across the world.

There's some great clips to watch about Fair Trade, including the story behind Divine and Sir Steve Redgrave's experiences with the Fairtrade cotton farmers in Mali, like the ones that supply many wonderful products to Fairgift.

Nominations Open for Women's Social Leadership Awards 2009

2009-04-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

Great women in the world generate human and environmental wealth, across sectors.
These women are influential leaders, connectors and social entrepreneurs who change people’s lives for the better. We call them Social Leaders.

The Women’s Social Leadership Awards promote their talent.

Nominate yourself or another exceptional woman who has shown great social leadership through
1- A Social Business
2- A Network
3- An Employees’ initiative in a larger company

Show how this female social leader has contributed to generate a great positive social impact, how she is an inspiration for her peers and her communities, how she sustains her project, learns from it and is not afraid to be radical at times.

“Radical simply means ‘grasping things at the root’”. Angela Davis

To nominate, go to http://bit.ly/oI75g
Nominations open to UK residents only and open until 20th of April 2009.

Results will be made public on May 15th in London. Prizes involve unique learning opportunities.

“Growing according to ecological principles is key”. Julie Brown - Winner 2008 with Growing Communities

Fairtrade Fortnight Awards

2009-04-04T12:33:00.000-07:00

Did you organise an event in Fairtrade Fortnight? Did you take a photo that captures all the fun and frolics of Fairtrade Fortnight?

If so, you could be in with a chance of winning a fabulous prize - photographic equipment or a cash prize for your campaign group. Read more and download an entry form here.

Are you a Fairtrade Mastermind?

2009-03-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

Do you fancy giving Mastermind a go as a fairtrade expert? This just came through from the Fairtrade Foundation:

I am writing to let you know that we are producing a new series of the BBC Television quiz, Mastermind. We are currently welcoming applications and would be grateful of any publicity.
We are planning to hold auditions in London this week so for those wishing to apply, now is the time. The process is simple. Send us an application form or apply online and those who are invited for an audition will be asked 20 general knowledge questions, have a brief chat with the production team and be asked for their suggestions for specialist subjects that they would like to cover if they make it on to the programme. There is no need to revise specialist subjects prior to the audition.

I have attached copies of a Mastermind 2009 flyer as well as an application form and I would be grateful if you could pass on this information to your teams and contacts. If you require further information either email me back or contact Stuart Ellis on 0161 244 3575 or email stuart.ellis@bbc.co.uk.

__._,_.___

Wine Glorious Wine

2009-03-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

Fairgift has a new category devoted to all things related to wine. We'll be expanding this category in the coming weeks, so if you're into your wines then please do take a look.

The quality of Fairtrade wine is growing rapidly and my personal favourite is the Soluna Malbec, which Fairgift doesn't sell yet, but you can find it at http://ethicalwine.com/browse_36

If you're also interested in discovering high quality, greay value European wines off the beaten track then check out the specialist wine merchants - SIP.

Ideas for Greener Living

2009-03-05T14:51:00.000-08:00

The UK's green lifestyle exhibition for people who want to learn how to reduce their carbon emissions.

It's at Olympia in London on Friday 17 & Saturday 18 April 09 and loads more info is available at

http://www.ukaware.com/

Free tickets are available with the code UA09GF

It's Not Easy Being Green

2009-03-05T14:06:00.000-08:00

Interested in having a "Green wedding"? If so then checkout the recent episode of the BBC2 show, "It's Not Easy Being Green"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00hvbvf/Its_Not_Easy_Being_Green_Series_3_Episode_7/

The show follows the couple Jo & Martin in their attempts (with mixed success, especially on the honeymoon) to have an eco-friendly wedding. They had their wedding list with Fairgift and the TV show includes glimpses of the range available including the Fairtrade cotton towel bale.

21st Century Network

2009-03-01T14:13:00.000-08:00

The 21st Century Network was set up to "discuss the great issues of our millennium and bring back the hope that we can do something about it".

It's well worth taking a look at and if you're able, then to come along & participate in their outstanding events:

http://21stcenturynetwork.ning.com/

Eco-chic Weddings

2009-02-27T02:54:00.000-08:00

If you're planning a wedding & if you're interested ethical or eco matters, then the 2 best uk websites to take a look at are www.ethicalweddings.com and www.greenunion.co.uk

Others with a focus on North America include www.greatgreenwedding.com and www.blueplanetwedding.com

And there's also a growing number of great books on the subject, both in the UK & North America. For an overview, take a look at: http://ethicalweddings.com/blog/green-wedding-guides

If I've missed anyting out either online or in print, then please let me know.

The Age of Stupid

2009-02-26T01:01:00.000-08:00

Your invitation to the premier of a new film: http://www.ageofstupid.net/news/peoples_premiere

The Age of Stupid stars Pete Postlethwaite as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?

According to a review in the Guardian it's "the first successful dramatisation of climate change to hit the big screen"

Let me know what you think.

Bargains & Money-off Vouchers Fairtrade style

2009-02-25T14:23:00.000-08:00

Make great savings at top ethical retailers by using a discount voucher to save on fair trade fashion, food and home essentials:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/4799340/Discount-voucher-codes-for-Fairtrade.html

Free Fairtrade Chocolate from Divine

2009-02-23T15:54:00.000-08:00

Get yourself a free bar of tasty Divine chocolate in return for filling out a short online questionnaire before 8 March...

http://surveys.verticalresponse.com/a/show/184455/fd8e3ad98f/0

2 for 1 tickets to Eco Wedding & Home Show

2009-02-21T08:07:00.000-08:00

Enjoy 2 for 1 tickets to the Ecochic Wedding & Home Show on 8 March.

Just quote 'ECWHS evite09' online at http://www.ecochicweddingandhomeshow.co.uk/ Or call 0121 454 1860

Recession = Fewer Weddings!

2009-02-19T04:45:00.000-08:00

The number of marriages is apparently closely tied to the fortunes of the economy. So, whilst weddings are already at a 100 year low, they are set to fall further in 2009. From The Times:

Married couples are in a minority for the first time since records began as fewer people choose to tie the knot, new figures indicate.
They showed that couples are less likely to get married now than ever before, with the number of weddings at a 100-year low. The marriage rate, a more accurate guide to the long-term trend, also fell sharply to a record low in 2007

However, although the average cost of a weddings is now £20k, there are also a thousand ways to avoid spending such a fortune when you say ‘I do’...

The world’s first Fairtrade Olive Oil

2009-02-17T08:58:00.000-08:00

“The olive trees root and anchor us in our land, provide a sense of belonging, home and hope, investing in olive oil is investing in our future.” - Abu Suleiman (farmer)

Discover more here about the world's first Fairtrade Olive Oil, made from Palestinian olives.

It's Not Easy...

2009-02-16T11:50:00.000-08:00

This Wednesday, switch the telly onto 'It's Not Easy Being Green' (BBC2 8pm). The team follow the lovely Jo & Martin in their attempts to have an eco-friendly wedding. Jo considered Oxfam Bridal for her wedding dress and they had their gift list with Fairgift. Will the programme include their less eco-chic choice of honeymoon destination I wonder?!

2009-02-14T08:36:00.000-08:00

The Fairgift team have an exciting few weeks ahead....

Come see us at the National Wedding Shows in Olympia (20-22 Feb) or NEC (13-15 March).

Or if you're anywhere near London on 7 March, then why not come along to the Ealing Fairtrade Fair from 11am to 5pm. It's free to attend, includes a funky Fairtrade fashion show and a mountain of bananas. Oxfam, Traidcraft & others will be there and Fairgift will be showcasing some new products as well as offering a few bargains from last year's range.

Win Tickets to See Wayne Hemmingway

2009-02-12T07:49:00.000-08:00

Fairtrade Fortnight starts on 23 February and our friends at Cafédirect, the UK’s largest 100% Fairtrade hot drinks company, are staging the first ever 'TasteFair'. That's nine days of exciting eco-lifestyle events at Whole Foods Market in Kensington High Street, London.

TasteFair will run from 21st February to 1st March and will feature an impressive line-up of some of the UK’s best-known ‘eco’ celebrities and experts including Wayne Hemingway and Oliver Heath. There will also be food tastings, music evenings, story time readings, coffee classes and a specially created photographic exhibition tracing the incredible journey of coffee. The full programme of events is available at www.tastefair.co.uk

One of the highlights is the daily ‘seed to cup’ sessions for coffee lovers and novices alike to learn about the coffee-making process, providing a unique opportunity to hand-roast and taste coffee beans under the expert supervision of Amen Mtui, coffee cupper from the KNCU coffee co-operative in Tanzania

Fairgift is offering a free pair of tickets to the Wayne Hemmingway evening or, if you can't make it to the event, a Kilimanjaro Gift Pack of fresh coffee & a lovely cafétiere. To be in with a chance to win, all you have to do is answer the following question: Amen Mtui from KNCU will lead seed to cup sessions at TasteFair. In which country is KNCU located?

Email your answer to competition@cafedirect.co.uk before midday on 16 February 2009 with 'TasteFair competition' in the subject line. Winners will be chosen at random. You can read the terms and conditions here:

http://www.cafedirect.co.uk/fairgiftnewslettercompetitiontermsandconditions/

Vote with Colin Firth

2009-02-12T03:38:00.000-08:00

Choose your favourite ethical retailer, campaigner or politician, or enter yourself in the ethical garden, conservation, big idea, ethical kids, business or fashion categories.

The Observer Ethical Awards highlight the individuals and companies that have gone the extra green mile here in the UK.

Colin Firth, Ken Livingstone, Jo Wood and Deborah Meaden are just some of the judges confirmed for the Observer Ethical Awards 2009.

Are you getting married before May'09 or do you someone who is?

2009-02-11T08:32:00.001-08:00

We've just been forwarded this message...

"Channel 4 are making a unique observational documentary about weddings in the UK for the prestigious Cutting Edge series and we are looking for a huge cross section of couples to get in touch!

From traditional weddings to jetting off to Vegas or planning the alternative ceremony of the year, we would love to hear from you.

If you’re the lucky bride or groom, or you know someone who is getting married, get in touch now. By contacting us, you are not committing to being filmed, we are keen to speak to anybody for research.

Call Angela on 020 7749 3112 or email myweddingday@monkeykingdom.com"

Wayne Hemingway & Eco Design

2009-02-10T03:42:00.000-08:00

Wayne Hemingway discusses the future of the design industry in these testing times.

How does environmental design respond to the current economic landscape – is it possible to achieve ‘eco design’ on a budget?

For this & other interesting events in London during Fairtrade Fortnight (starting 21st Feb), check out http://www.tastefair.co.uk/

Ethical Wedding & Home Show

2009-02-08T13:17:00.000-08:00

The first ever Eco Chic Wedding & Home Show will take place in Birmingham on Sunday 8 March 2009.

Couples in search of inspiration for forthcoming nuptials can plan their "ethical wedding" and find out more at: 2009 Eco Chic Wedding & Home Show.

From Bling to Green Tip #5: Be a Local Yokle

2009-02-06T15:50:00.000-08:00

Thinking about location of your venue & suppliers is one of the biggest & best ways to be eco & ethical in your choices.

Companies like County Marquees supply the most amazing opportunities for couples to have a reception at home, and yet in amazing style - together with the flexibility to start & finish when you like. Asking local caterers and other local suppliers is a great way to make a wedding unique and special to you.

So if you're West Country, how about a toast with cider rather than traditional champers? Or serve your drinks in the handmade, recycled Bolivian glasses from Fairgift – and you even get to keep them for yourself to use after the wedding.

From Bling to Green Tip #4: Go Alternative

2009-02-03T15:41:00.000-08:00

If you're a surf dude at heart, then why not look into a beach wedding and/or reception. Or if you want a traditional wedding but don't know where to start then take a look at http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/

If green or global issues are important to you, then choose an Eco-friendly, Fair Trade wedding list rather than the usual High Street stores. It’s a great way to support marginalised communities around the world whilst also enjoy hundreds of beautiful & original gifts.

From Bling to Green Tip #3: Cut the Fluff

2009-01-31T18:38:00.000-08:00

If a Bentley isn’t important to you then stick a ribbon on a tandem or your friend’s Fiesta. On the other hand, if arriving in style is your thing – then invest the money on the perfect horse-drawn carriage and leave some other nice-to-have things off the list.

Think long about your invitation list too. If your preferred reception venue charges lots per head for food, then perhaps those long-distant second cousins are fine with just an evening invite...

From Bling to Green Tip #2: It's cool to recycle

2009-01-29T15:32:00.000-08:00

The old adage of something old, new, borrowed & blue has never been more appropriate.

As well as choosing some shiny new things if that's your style (conflict-free diamond anyone?), there are some amazing eco-friendly, recycling options to enjoy.

One inspirational example is the stunning dresses available from Oxfam Bridal, set up by the inspirational Barbara Walmsley. They now have a dozen or so branches around the UK & Ireland with hundreds of beautiful dresses, most donated by designers from end-of-line or from ex-catwalk designs.

From Bling to Green Tip #1: Go D.I.Y.

2009-01-28T14:11:00.000-08:00

Tip #1 - Do it Yourself

If you have a friend or relative who is a useful flower-arranger, photographer or musician – then why not ask them to play a part in your big day? Or alternatively, pick up some DIY tools yourself.

Be aware this isn’t for the faint hearted – you’ll need to be very clear about what you want & be prepared to go elsewhere if they or indeed you can’t deliver. However, it's a great way to avoid spending excessive amounts of money & resouces on professional services.

For example rather than thousands of pounts towards personalised stationery, you can now buy some beautiful outers such as the handmade, Fair Trade cards from http://www.fairgift.co.uk/ and then print the personalised inners at home.

Ethical Wedding Tips - From BLING to GREEN

2009-01-25T14:05:00.000-08:00

After years of ever-increasing BLING, many marrying couples now prefer GREEN. Or in other words to have a wedding that better reflects their interests and values. Given current economic woes, this is also a great way to be ‘lean and green’.

With that in mind, this blog will feature a series of tips on how to have a green & ethical wedding this year.

The Future of Fairtrade Part #3 - Reaching the Poorest of the Poor

2008-07-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

I met Malcolm Bruce MP recently, chairman of the International Development Committee. He is a supporter of Fair Trade but also challenged us: how do we reach the poorest of the poor?

Whilst the FAIRTRADE Mark is a important guarantee for consumers in the West and provides a huge contribution to development, it also requires a level of organisation & consistency that excludes many of the poorest people on the planet. Moreover many product categories such as stationery & jewellery defy the product-standard approach that the FAIRTRADE Mark currently requires.

The FAIRTRADE Mark is by far the most recognised symbol of the movement. But many organisations involved are seeking to go beyond this set of minimum standards. For example:

- Fair Trade pioneers like People Tree are so important as they go beyond the FAIRTRADE Mark and implement additional steps throughout their supply chain to ensure a broader definition of what it means to be Fair Trade.
- Fairgift takes a similar approach in homeware and are working hard to increase the range of products from poorer communities, e.g. in sub-Saharan Africa by provide design & production advice on products.
- Traidcraft Exchange does this on an event bigger scale: working directly with organisations that are currently too small to qualify for the FAIRTRADE Mark - such as small-scale tea producers in India.
- Divine Chocolate - provides a different model as it works closely with one large scale co-operative in Ghana that co-owns the UK-based company.

The future of Fair Trade must be to provide a guarantee to consumers in the UK that is as reliable as the FAIRTRADE Mark and at the same time accessible to producers in some of the poorest communities in the world that are unable to organise themselves into a product-standard approach. The international body IFAT is currently consulting on this very issue.

What are your thoughts?

The Future of Fairtrade Part #2: Producer-Consumer Connections

2008-07-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

Fairtrade has the biggest impact when producers and consumers connect.

When someone in a relatively wealthy country like the UK realises the difference their purchase makes to the lives of producers in some of the poorest communities in the world, this is the life-affirming experience that turns many people into loyal Fairtrade purchasers or campaigners.

And livelihoods & supply chains are transformed when producers in those marginalised communities are empowered with the necessary knowledge, investment and market access to sell their products to the relatively wealthy consumers elsewhere in the world.

This connection is how the Fair Trade movement started in the 1970s. Ordinary people in the UK & other countries responding to the news of workers conditions in countries like Sri Lanka and demanding a different approach to trade via campaigns & organisations such as Oxfam, Christian Aid and the World Development Movement

The Future of Fairtrade Part #1: Scale

2008-07-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

Fairtrade is tiny: despite recognition levels of over 70% and sales of £500million per year, it is just a small fraction of total retail spend in the UK.

Although it benefits 7 million farmers/producers and immediate family members - this number is also tiny in comparison to the 2billion people in the world living on less than $2 per day. Moreover, the UN estimates that the recent hike in food & fuel prices has pushed an additional 100 million people globally into extreme poverty.

In order for Fairtrade to have a real impact in tackling global poverty it must grow rapidly by several thousand percent. Or the movement must have an impact that reaches out far beyond just selling products that are Fairtrade certified.

One of the most pioneering organisations that seeks to do both these things is Traidcraft Exchange. For example, they have set up a three year project to help develop sales of Fairtrade within India. With a rapidly growing middle class, this could offer a huge opportunity to poor producers in India. Meanwhile in Kenya, they have a long-term project underway to protect and improve the livelihoods of thousands of small-scale dairy farmers and informal milk traders.

Only by initiatives such as these will Fairtrade reach the scale required in order to win the life-or-death global fight against poverty.

The Future of Fair Trade

2008-06-19T23:54:00.000-07:00

Last week I attended a conference on the future of Fairtrade organised by St Paul's institute. Attendees & speakers included Paul Chandler (chief executive of Traidcraft), Harriet Lamb (Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation), Safia Minney (founder of the People Tree), Patricio Angonoa (a Fairtrade wine producer La Riojana winery in Argentina), Sophi Tranchell (managing director of Divine Chocolate) amongst many other active and well informed people involved in the movement.

Five important themes emerged regarding what will be the key issues and opportunities facing the Fair Trade movement over the next few years. I will summarise in the next few blog posts. If you have any comments or questions on the posts, then please let me know & join in the debate!

Buy Local or Buy Fair Trade?

2008-05-23T13:16:00.000-07:00

Following on from the last post, I was discussing the issue of buying local or buying Fair Trade with a friend who runs My Greener Home.

Companies like Fairgift sell beautiful fair trade furniture or you can find a local supplier at directories such as UK Furniture Stores

It's an important topic and clearly one that defies a black & white answer. Much of the debate was prompted by the Soil Association's announcement last year that they were reviewing the organic status of all air-freighted products. At their debate entitled "The Fruits of Development” in London, Seth Dei, a director of Ghanaian fresh-cut fruit firm Blue Skies, argued:

“Our fresh-cut organic pineapple, which is certified to Soil Association
standards, may soon be refused entry to the UK because of concern over air
miles. However, we only use aircraft which are already flying passengers to and
from the UK, so are not contributing directly to carbon emissions. If the
UK goes ahead with this potential ban being threatened by the Soil Association,
then 1 per cent of Ghana’s export industry would be lost, and our growers would
lose their livelihood and be forced back into poverty,”

In response, Francis Blake, the Soil Association’s standards and technical director said

“Airfreight produces 150 times more carbon output than seafreight. We certainly
do not want to close down the operations of firms like Blue Skies and its
farmers, who have done so much to help poverty in developing nations, but
neither can we ignore carbon emissions. To that end, we have embarked on a
two-stage consultation, and next spring should have a proposed standard
available, which could suggest anything from labelling airfreighted products, as
Tesco and Marks & Spencer are already doing, to carbon offsetting, to a
complete ban, with stations in-between to help farmers in Africa find viable
alternatives to airfreighting to the UK.”

Then in The Observer in March of this was a compelling article called "How the myth of food miles hurts the planet" which investigated the different factors came to the following conclusion:

But a warning that beans have been air-freighted does not mean we should
automatically switch to British varieties if we want to help the climate.
Beans in Kenya are produced in a highly environmentally-friendly manner.
'Beans there are grown using manual labour - nothing is mechanised,' says
Professor Gareth Edwards-Jones of Bangor University, an expert on African
agriculture. 'They don't use tractors, they use cow muck as fertiliser; and
they have low-tech irrigation systems in Kenya. They also provide employment
to many people in the developing world. So you have to weigh that against
the air miles used to get them to the supermarket.'

What are your thoughts?

Is Fair Trade Environmentally Friendly?

2008-05-09T15:41:00.000-07:00

How can you combine a support for Fair Trade with environmental sustainability, or is it impossible to reconcile the two?

Today is 10 May and is World Fair Trade Day . The theme is Fair Trade & Ecology and although Fair Trade is primarily a campaign for trade & social justice, it also has a long history of having a powerful & positive impact on the environment.

Here are three examples of what is being achieved:
- There are two internationally recognised standards for Fair Trade: FLO which predominantly covers commodity items such as tea, bananas, cotton etc and IFAT which covers everything else. Both organisations include environmental sustainability as a vital element in their criteria for bestowing Fair Trade accreditation.

- Moreover, organic & Fair Trade production often go hand in hand: for example the cotton production by Agrocel in India which was the first cotton producer to achieve Fairtrade status and now supplies Marks & Spencer in the UK with a large amount of high quality Fairtrade certified, organic cotton. Even with smaller producers that are not yet or able to achieve organic status, many have been newly trained in important agricultural techniques such as crop rotation and natural alternatives to harmful pesticides. Also the success of rural co-operatives & other fair trade organisations also frequently helps attract workers to stay in the countryside & not join the rush to urbanisation.

- Fair trade producers are frequently creative and resourceful with the limited tools available to them, so this has lead to a huge growth in products that are made out of recyled materials - from glass to elephant dung.

Here are five great examples:

1. Stunning recycled glass tumbers & other glassware from Bolivia.

2. Newspaper bags that are made by an NGO whose main objective is to provide education and shelter to street children. This eco-friendly product is made from recycled Indian newspaper. The newspapers are collected by one man on his bicycle rickshaw calling at residential homes for any read newspapers. So sometimes your bag will have a completed crossword!

3. The Silver Sequin Photo Album
is skilfully hand embroidered onto recycled silk, using ornate silver thread and delicate silver sequins. The embroidery is hand sewn by skilled artisans from within the local community. This creates a unique feel to every product. The cotton fabric pages of the album are made using recylced cotton fabric which is then coloured using natural dyes.

4. Recylced Tin Lamps that are made in West Bengal out of recycled oil tins. The lanterns run on lamp oil/ paraffin and are functional.

5. Elephant Dung Photo Album that takes recycling to a new limit. A beautiful photo album that contains paper made from 80% elephant dung and 20% recycled paper. Elephant brass design on the front.

Top 5 Fair Trade Father's Day Gifts

2008-05-05T05:31:00.000-07:00

Sunday 15th June is Father's Day this year and if you're looking for a perfect fair trade gift for your one & only pa, then take a look at these five outstanding products:

1. Dad the Chef: Fiesta Striped Apron (£8)
This brightly striped cotton apron is skilfully hand-woven by producers in Tamil Nadu, India, benefiting from fairly paid work opportunities at Co-optex. 100% cotton and machine washable. With front pocket and waist tie fastenings. 97 x 76cm. Matching tea towels also available just in case you dad ever gets close to the sink.

2. Dad the Wine-buff: Mixed Fairtrade Wine - Six Bottles (£38)
1 x Chilean Chardonnay, 1 x Chilean Cabernet Merlot, 1 x South African Pinotage, 1 x South African Sauvignon Blanc, 1 x South African Chenin Blanc, 1 x Argentinian Torrontes

About the producers...
Argentinian Fair Trade Wine: The fair trade organization La Riojana Cooperativa, has more than 600 members, it produces wine by means of the traditional techniques and the most advanced technology.
Chilean Fair Trade Wine: Vinos Los Robles is 200km south of Santiago in the Curico valley, where wine production plays an important part in the local economy. The 50 strong co-op, along with El Corazon, a member of Los Robles, guarantees the farmers a fairer price for their grapes.
South African Fair Trade Wine: Citrusdal Cellars is a co-operative in the Citrusdal area of the Western Cape, South Africa. This is an area where the history of colonialism and apartheid have left the wine industry with many problems.
The Cilmor estate is based in the Western Cape and it is here where the renovation of homes and the building of a creche have brought major improvements to the workers.

If you're feeling generous, then give the wine together with fair trade wine glasses from Bolivia - £12 for 4.

3. Trendy Dad: Fairtrade Hoody (£36)
Brushed back heavy cotton fleece, ideal for protecting your privacy from big brother. Made using Fairtrade and Organic cotton from Agrocel in India. Available in Chocolate, Indigo & Red

4. Creative Dad: Kubu Leather Album (£20)
This stylish photograph album is bound in supple, chocolatey leather and finished with a practical leather tie. To enhance this natural look the cotton paper has been finished with hand-torn edges. The leather is coloured using natural vegetable dyes. The paper inside is handmade from cotton and has a smooth luxurious finish, ideal for holding photographs. The separation sheets are made from banana skin, which is crushed into a pulp to produce a soft textured paper. Gift wrapped in a beautiful, handmade box made of recycled cotton paper. This album is also great as a journal or for sketching, oil painting, pastels and as a scrap book. 23.5cm x 18cm. 36 pages + interleaves.

5. Sunday Morning Dad: White Cotton Bathrobe (£42)
Created with maximum indulgence in mind, these super-soft and fluffy hooded bathrobes in a contemporary wide rib design make a fantastic gift. Available in medium (fits chest 97-102cm / 38"-40") and large (fits chest 104-109cm/41"-43"). Machine washable up to 60°C and can be ironed on a high setting.

Top 5 Reasons to Buy Fair Trade

2008-04-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

1. Help End World Poverty
"El comericio justo es mucho mas que comprar y vender café”. In the words of a producer: Fair trade is more than just buying & selling coffee. Fair trade is a way to help reduce poverty every time we shop; it is practical action and a campaign towards building a better world.

According to the UN, one billion people still live on less than $1 a day. Current international trade rules & practices have contributed to the growing income gap between rich and poor both between and within countries. Fair trade is a direct way for consumers in richer countries like the UK to interact with producers in some of the poorest parts of the world and to help them overcome the obstacles of international trade rules, by ensuring a fair wage and acceptable working conditions.

2. Every Product Makes a Difference
“We are building, little by little, a different world based on human relationships. It is a permanent process” - Nelly Canepa & Maria del Carmen de la Fuenta from Allpa, Peru.

In comparison with all the world's commerce, fair trade is currently tiny. According to the Fairtrade Foundation, sales of Fairtrade certified products in the UK reached £500million in 2007, which is less than a quarter of the organic market by comparison. However, it is growing rapidly (doubling in size every two years), awareness is strong (e.g. 57% aware of the certification in the UK) and the quality & range of fair trade products now huge and better than ever (over 3000 Fairtrade certified products currently available). Over 7 million farmers, workers & their direct family members are already benefiting. Each and every fair trade product sold has an inspirational story of it's direct benefit to workers & their families in some of the poorest communities in the world.

3. Trade, Not Aid
"We are not asking for help, we want people to feel good about our chocolate. We're the very best. That's what is important." - Ohemeng Tonyase from Kuapa Kokoo cocoa collective in Ghana.

By trading with people in many of the poorest communities of the world, fair trade reduces reliance on charity and fosters long-term development and independence. Fair trade is an investment in society that enables marginalised members of the community to have access to world markets. Long-term contracts and the growth of fair trade overall ensure that the benefits continue to multiply.

4. Envinronmental Sustainability
"Aren't you afraid to eat chocolate?" - worker on a cocoa plantation in Brazil

Cotton and cocoa receive heavier doses of agrochemicals that any other crop, including many of the most powerful and dangerous pesticides. Studies by Friends of the Earth in the past few years have identified that many of these remain in through to the final product. It is bad enough to think of the impact this has on the health of consumers but, with health & safety regulation often weaker in developing countries, it is the workers and producers that suffer the most.

In contrast, fair trade farms rely mainly on natural and organic methods and fair trade criteria requires sustainable production and positive environmental policies including protecting workers from harmful agrochemicals. Producers are predominantly rural, using high proportion of recylced products and handmade processes in production and packaging, with transportation predominantly via land & sea.

5. Quality
"Through Fairtrade, we have been able to change our agricultural techniques to improve the quality of our teas." - Silver Kasoro-Atwoki from the Mabale Growers Tea Factory in Uganda.

Rather than having to sell to powerful middlemen and the entire transaction being focused on lowering the price, fair trade producers are able to have a longer-term and more equal partnership with buyers: often through co-owernership structures such as at Divine Chocolate and Cafe Direct. This relationship leads to greater investment in production quality and organisational improvements such as important training and product development.

Because Fair Trade producers have a genuine stake in their product through self-ownership structures and funding of social benefits through the Fairtrade premium, there is huge pride and a great additional incentive to ensure the quality of the end product.

Fair Trade Timu Leather Journal

2008-04-24T17:00:00.000-07:00

This stylish journal is bound in leather. Perfect for travelling, sketching and just holding memories, the leather enhances with time.

The paper inside is handmade from cotton and has a smooth luxurious finish, suitable for all pen types, painting, pastels and drawing. Gift wrapped in a handmade box, made with recycled cotton. Plain pages. A6.

Fair Trade Products Price: £22.95

Beautiful Fairtrade Mocha Duvet Cover

2008-04-24T15:38:00.000-07:00

Let your body relax and breathe in this gorgeous, organic fair trade cotton mocha bed linen.

It is made with outstanding quality, 200 thread count organic, which makes it exceptionally soft and strong. Machine washable.

Fair Trade Products Price: £52.50

Trendy Fairtrade Bamboo Handle Storage Case

2008-04-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

This jute bag is screen printed by hand. It is a stylish option for storage or organising your recyclable materials. With sturdy bamboo carrying handles and plastic inside lining.

Fair Trade Products Price: £12

Fair Trade Spotty Apron

2008-04-22T15:52:00.000-07:00

100% cotton, black apron with white spots.

Machine washable.

Oven gloves also available in same range.

Fair Trade Gifts Price: £13.00

Fair Trade Towels

2008-04-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

A bale of outstanding quality, soft and fluffy towels, beautifully presented in a cotton ribbon.

Each bale consists of a large bath towel (100 x 165cm), a bath towel (70 x 140cm), a hand towel (50 x 100cm) and two face cloths (31 x 31cm). Machine washable up to 60 degrees and can be ironed on a high setting.

For environmental reasons, we recommend washing bathroom linen at lower temperatures and line-dry where possible.

Fair Trade Gifts Price: £48.00

Fair Trade Moroccan Style Lantern

2008-04-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

This large, impressive lantern looks great both lit and unlit.

Fair Trade Gifts Price: £45.00

Fair Trade Table and Chairs

2008-04-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

A classic table with chunky appeal - sturdy enough to cope with the rigours of day-to-day life. This package includes four Delhi style chairs. Additional pairs of chairs can be purchased separately. Also avilable with Cross back chairs.

100% Sheesham wood (Indian Rosewood) imported directly from Northern India.

Fair Trade Furniture Price: £599

Fair Trade Bolivian Wine Glasses

2008-04-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

This beautiful set of wine glasses is perfect for introducing friends and family to some fair trade wine!

Handmade with recycled glass. Dishwasher safe.

Fair Trade Products Price: £12.00

Fair Trade Bookcase

2008-04-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

This bookcase is so functional, there's a space for one in every home!

It offers great storage with the four, fixed height shelves; the open back gives an airy feel and ensures it doesnâ€™t overpower the room; the slat sides allow it to co-ordinate beautifully with both the Mallani Console Tables and Slat Coffee Tables; and finally, the size is perfect - not too big and not too small!

100% Sheesham wood (Indian Rosewood) imported directly from northern India.

Fair Trade Furniture Price: £329

Thakat Mirror

2008-04-11T02:44:00.000-07:00

This beautiful mirror with solid wood frame is decorated with iron rivots - the finishing touch to any room.

Designed for either portrait or landscape hanging - wall fixings not included.

Fair Trade Products Price: £69.00

Mother of Pearl Frame

2008-04-10T02:38:00.000-07:00

This beautiful photo frame is handcrafted from pieces of mother of pearl, skilfully mounted onto a sheesham wood base.

Gift wrapped in a beautiful handmade box made from recycled cotton paper.

Fair Trade Products Price: £18.00

Bukedo Basket

2008-04-09T02:31:00.000-07:00

A lovely circular basket made of bukedo (banana-leaf stalk), cut into thin strips, dried, then bound over with buso (raffia from the palm tree), forming a tight coil.

Dark brown with light golden colour in the coilwork. All dyes extracted from natural organic sources.

Fair Trade Products Price: £12.00

Silver Sequin Album

2008-04-08T02:27:00.000-07:00

This photograph album is skilfully hand embroidered onto recycled silk, using ornate silver thread and delicate silver sequins. The embroidery is hand sewn by skilled artisans from within the local community. This creates a unique feel to every product.

The cotton fabric is coloured using natural dyes. The paper inside is handmade from cotton and has a smooth luxurious finish, ideal for holding photographs. The separation sheets are made from banana skin, which is crushed into a pulp to produce a soft textured paper. Gift wrapped in a cream linen box.

Fair Trade Products Price: £19.95

Chulucanas Ceramic Bowl

2008-04-07T10:18:00.000-07:00

Chulucanas in the north of Peru is famed for its ceramic production and this bowl is an amazing example.

The black finish comes from including local mango tree leaves with the ceramics when fired, the design having been painted on prior to firing using a resist technique. Decorative item only.

Fair Trade Products Price: £14.00