I think being ‘for’ something achieves more than being ‘against’ something. That’s why I love Fairtrade. It's just great. It takes a huge and complex problem ~ international trade and the WTO ~ and instead of imploring us to campaign and making us feel swamped by the vastness of the problem, it gives us an easy, fun, simple way to solve the problem! In the words of this year's poster campaign…“Taste it, Munch it, Sip it, Wear it, Peel it, Choose It !” Fairtrade is so easy and so rewarding. There are more than 2,500 fairly traded retail and catering products available from more than 260 different companies! The variety has shot up, its not just tea and coffee anymore.
According to Harriet Lamb the director of the Fairtrade Foundation, “Fairtrade… is redefining what is acceptable behaviour for all of us, from consumers to business to governments. Fairtrade is a powerful idea showing that you can and should manage markets for social and development goals. It’s a powerful idea and it is rapidly triggering changes.”
Fairtrade is a fantastic example of the power of intention and the small actions of individuals creating a huge global change. Fairtrade is about our relationship with the people who grow and harvest our food and the land our food is grown on. As such it is an integral part of my Druidry. With Fairtrade you can be as involved as you want and still be doing a great thing. Being part of my local Fairtrade supporters group helps me feel like I’m actively doing something to help spread the message. But even without the time and effort of a volunteering commitment, everyone and anyone can change the world by just switching brands and choosing Fairtrade.
Three long-standing Fairtrade pioneers - Traidcraft, Cafédirect and Divine Chocolate - have all marked the start of 2007 with eye-catching new packaging designs.
- Cafédirect’s range now includes ‘Special Selection’ and single origin coffees.
- Oxfam shops sell a good range of Fairtrade goods.
- AMT Coffee, which was the first national coffee company to go 100% Fairtrade, will be promoting the film BLACK GOLD in their Monsoon are launching a new range of T shirts using Fairtrade Certified Cotton in Spring.
- Top Shop are launching a range of clothing with the fair trade pioneer company People Tree called ‘People Tree for Top Shop’.
- Tesco is extending its range of Fairtrade nuts to five items ranging from brazil nuts to a peanut, cashew and mango mix.
- Thresher’s is launching a range of Fairtrade wines.
- Waitrose is switching its banana range to 100% Fairtrade and introducing a range of Fairtrade roses. Expanded ranges of fresh produce will be the focus of in-store promotions in Morrison’s and Asda.
It is so easy! Go on … Change Today. Choose Fairtrade.
