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[What is Fairtrade] [Get Involved] [Contact Us] [Links]
Welcome to Fairtrade Fortnight. This year Connexions are giving a special focus to Fairtrade, which runs from 26th February to 11th March 2007.
What is Fairtrade? [Top]
Fairtrade is where producers receive a fair price for their produce, goods and crops. Tea and coffee are items where the Fairtrade principle was first applied. Global trade in coffee is second only to oil in value. Today there are lots of Fairtrade products to choose from on supermarket shelves, including their own brands. You can always tell a Fairtrade product because it has a distinctive Fairtrade label, like the one shown on the right.
Why should I support Fairtrade?
Because Fairtrade producers receive a fair price for their goods. This means they can afford to pay for the education of their children and also pay for medical care. These are things that most people take for granted. Fairtrade helps producers to plan for the future, overcome fluctuations in commodity prices and annual variations in crop yields.
Greater stability in production helps reduce poverty and in some places reduces the temptation to grow crops used for illegal drugs. Everyone benefits from Fairtrade.
Fairtrade products are sometimes a bit more expensive than other brands but not always. They will however taste just as good if not better than ordinary brands.
Where do Fairtrade producers come from?
The producers are usually from the poorest parts of the world that need our help the most. Fairtrade also benefits people in this country because new jobs are created developing exciting new products such as Fairtrade Fruit bars and Fairtrade drinks.
How can I/we get involved? [Top]
Simple - try some Fairtrade products. You may choose to occasionally purchase Fairtrade products rather than all of the time, but at least give them a try. You will also know that you are helping the producers and their families enjoy a better life.
If you are at school does your youth club or school shop sell Fairtrade goods? If not you could help introduce Fairtrade products.
During Fairtrade Fortnight Connexions will highlight Fairtrade stories on this website.
Do you have a good story about Fairtrade? [Top]
If you have a good story email webmaster@connexions-tw.co.uk and we will publish it on this website. You can also send some photos.
Try some Fairtrade products and you
will help those who produce them enjoy a better life.
Fairtrade website [Top]
You can also visit the Fairtrade website at www.fairtrade.org.uk
LINKS: Below are some other Fairtrade websites you might find useful.
Fairtrade Foundation: Fairtrade fortnight runs from 26th Feb - 11th Mar 2007. The Fairtrade website has lots of information and resources including products, suppliers, get involved, news and more. visit www.fairtrade.org.uk.
Young Co-operatives: Young co-operatives really are an inspiration to other children around the country. Young Co-operatives has been helping school students to start their own Fairtrade co-operatives since 2002 and has registered more than 300 young co-operatives across the UK. Visit www.youngcooperatives.org.uk.
Traidcraft: Traidcraft is the UK’s leading Fairtrade organisation, fighting poverty in many countries through fair trade. Visit www.traidcraft.co.uk.
Tropical Wholefoods: Tropical Wholefoods is based in Sunderland and was started by a couple from Uganda. This thriving company works with Fruits of the Nile in Uganda and other partners around the world providing training in food processing and quality assurance as well as providing fairtrade markets for their products. To find out more visit www.tropicalwholefoods.com.
NOTE: This is an ARCHIVED news item.
These events have already taken place.
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