Fair trade fortnight...cup of tea at mine everyone?

Fairtrade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. 

"The purpose of fairtrade is to create opportunities for producers and workers who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading system. If fair access to markets under better trade conditions would help them to overcome barriers to development, they can join Fairtrade.”

Fairtrade is a tool for development that ensures disadvantaged farmers and workers in developing countries get a better deal through the use of the international FAIRTRADE Mark.

The FAIRTRADE Mark is a registered certification label for products sourced from producers in developing countries.

 Today kicks off the start of fairtrade fortnight.  

Millions of people in developing countries depend on farming. But they are trapped in poverty by the rules of world trade, keeping those at the start of supply chains powerless to earn enough to cover their costs and with nothing to save for their families.

Choosing Fairtrade offers farmers and workers a better chance to work their way out of poverty, through fairer wages, safer conditions at work and a little extra, called the Fairtrade premium, to invest in projects to improve life for their whole communities.

Fairtrade are launching a "Take a Step" campaign to try and support the 1.5 million farmers working within the scheme. With a little help from everyone they can reach the 1.5 million step goal. Your step for Fairtrade can be as simple as trying a new Fairtrade product, or as big and bold as launching  a campaign to get your whole town or local school to go Fairtrade. Every single one counts, because together they lead to life-changing projects in developing countries. Here are some of the ways you can help,

How about....

•                Inviting a friend out for a Fairtrade coffee

•                Organising a Fairtrade chocolate tasting at school

•                Telling your friends on Facebook about your favourite Fairtrade product

•                Buying Fairtrade tea bags when it’s your turn at work

•                Joining your local campaign group

•                Asking your local shop to stock more Fairtrade choices

Every step counts towards the fairtrade total of 1.5 million steps that Fairtrade are hoping to achieve by the end of 2012 – one step for every farmer and worker in the Fairtrade system.

Register to step now


So, I am off to register and buy Fair trade tea bags and invite all my Mummy friends over for a brew.


All information for this blog has been taken from the  fairtrade website. Pop over and register.