Going the extra mile

 

Consider the situation we are in:

• 1.4 billion people still live below the World Bank poverty line;

• fair trade sales are still a tiny proportion of UK grocery sales;

• trade injustices and imbalances of power remain huge;

• recession can lead to companies backsliding on ethical promises.

 

It is great when larger companies stock fair-trade certified products. But what about those producers who have not yet reached this stage? What about those whose production is too small for the big players? Traidcraft is willing to go the extra mile in fair trade, giving poor and small-scale groups access to the fair trade market, working in long-term relationships with producers and helping them to develop their businesses, as well as campaigning for trade justice. If we are to see more people released from poverty and enabled to work in the developing fair trade market it is essential that companies like Traidcraft are enabled to continue. So what can we do?

 

·         Buy Traidcraft. Although it is great that supermarkets stock so many fair-trade products, buying from companies like Traidcraft who are committed to supporting the producers will give a chance to small farmers who cannot manage the scale necessary to produce for the big companies, and will enable those not yet accessing the fair trade market to make the switch.

·         Shop at the Fair Trade Shop. Yes, it’s a bit of a walk, or a bus ride (use the free shuttle bus to Tacket Street!) but you can get so many more fair trade goods there than you can in the supermarkets – a chance to get quality goods AND support those who need a helping hand to get a fair deal in life. 

·         Get involved. Have a Fair Trade stall at church – phone the shop on 288225 for a sale or return. Take part in Traidcraft’s campaigns for justice in trade: visit www.traidcraft.co.uk/get_involved/campaign for more details. Have a talk on fair trade: phone the shop if you would like a speaker. And finally - Volunteer!  If you have an hour or two to spare, we would love to have more volunteers at the Fair Trade Shop. Phone or call in for more details.

 

Jane Cornish