Fairtrade background information

January 10, 2018

Fairtrade background information

Fairtrade

Who they are-
- Fairtrade is a global movement with a strong and active presence in the UK, represented by the Fairtrade Foundation. The work directly with businesses, consumers and campaigns. The Fairtrade system is the work recognisable fair trade system. they are a global organisation securing a better deal for farmers.

The Fairtrade Foundation is an independent non-profit organisation that focuses on four key areas of work in the UK:

They provide independent certification of the trade chain for products and license the use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products.

They help in growing demand for Fairtrade products and empowering producers to sell to traders and retailers.

They find new ways of working with our partners to support producer organisations and their networks.

They raise awareness of the need for Fairtrade to the public and the significant role of Fairtrade in making trade fair.

The foundations involved-

The Foundation was established in 1992 by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft, Global Justice Now, and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes. Member organisations now also include Banana Link, All We Can, National Campaigner Committee, Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign, People & Planet, Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, Shared Interest Foundation, Soroptimist International , Tearfund and Commitment to Life / United Reformed Church.

This foundations unite several countries around the world. Europe, Japan, North America, Mexico and Australia/New Zealand as well as networks of producer organisations from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

What they do-
'Fairtrade is a simple way to make a difference to the lives of the people who grow the things we love. We do this by changing the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions and a fair deal for farmers and workers in developing countries.'

Fairtrade sets standards: Fairtrade Standards social, economic and environmental standards that are set for both companies and the farmers and workers who grow the food we love.
Fairtrade certifies products and ingredients: We independently check that our standards have been met by the farmers, workers and companies that are part of products’ supply chains.
Fairtrade works with companies’ own schemes: Shopper demand has driven companies to start thinking about sustainability. When considering whether to partner in some way with a business-own sustainability scheme, Fairtrade compares the way the scheme works to a set of core Fairtrade principles. This is to ensure we only work with schemes that share our values.
Fairtrade lobbies government: We mobilise our grassroots support from the British public to demand fairer treatment in trade deals towards farmers in developing countries who supply us with so much of our food.
Fairtrade works directly with producers: With our Fairtrade partners in origin we work on specific issues, from Bolivian coffee farmers tackling the plant diseases linked to climate change, to cocoa-growing communities creating a women’s leadership school in Côte d’Ivoire.
We drive awareness with the public: Through our Fairtrade Towns, Schools and Faith groups and through our campaigns we drive awareness of the issues of unfair trade and ask the public ‘Don’t Feed Exploitation – choose Fairtrade’