The Green Familia » fair trade

Guest Post: Five Simple Reasons to Support Fair Trade

Brenda — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:00:37 +0000

One of the issues with fair trade is that people don’t know enough about it.

It is easier for us to buy a product and never question where it comes from, who made it and why it costs the amount stamped onto the price tag. We also never think about who might be losing out. This is something we should be thinking about because somewhere, somebody has gone through a great deal of effort to ensure that we have the luxury of quality produce. The sole purpose of fair trade is to ensure that farmers, textile workers and other traders get paid a fair amount of money for their goods – but converting people is not so easy.

Here are five reasons’ to support fair trade that you’ve probably never thought about before. These will not only benefit you, but they will benefit others across the world – so now you can shop guilt free!

Quality

The quality of imported fair trade goods is far superior to that of cheaply, mass-produced alternatives. Craft and garments sold by the likes of Traidcraft have been made individually with extra care so that the quality is of a higher standard. Plus they are all made of fine, organically sourced materials which have a lower economic impact than those synthetically produced in factories.

Choice

Many people are apprehensive about fair trade because of the encouragement we’ve received to buy local products to reduce our carbon footprint. Whilst we should support our own economy no less, there are some things that we do not have the resources to farm. Things like cotton, chocolate, coffee, gold, wine, sugar; bananas and exotic fruit are not grown in the UK and must be sourced from elsewhere. Buying these goods fair trade ensures that the farmers who grow and manufacture these goods will receive the deal that they deserve and that you can enjoy quality, natural produce with a clear conscience.

It Really Does Help

From putting money into the pocket of a lone farmer to improving the overall working conditions in developing countries, fair trade can make a small difference or a large scale impact on society. The real issue is that the Western world is very much centred on a culture of commodity. In spite of this, when we buy from other countries we are not giving them an equal trade or a fair price. Fair trade encourages workplaces and business to be built and run ethically as well as for workers to be paid a reasonable amount of wages to support their livelihoods when we buy from them.

There are more Fair Trade Goods Than You Think

One of the main concerns we have when being persuaded to buy fair trade is that we do not know where to start.

There are a growing number of small but wholly ethical trading companies who sell hand-made gifts as well as clothes, wine, recycled products and even Christmas cards.

Likewise, we find that bigger companies are also wavering to the pressures of ethical trading. Chocolate company Cadbury’s slapped a fair trade label on their bestselling Dairy Milk bars in 2009 whilst US ice-cream creators Ben and Jerry’s launched their fourth fair trade flavour Chocolate Macadamia Nut that same year. According to the Guardian, there are now 4,000 fair trade products on the market.

Individual products bought from a super market, for example Sainsbury’s, should carry the blue and green Fair Trade logo. It’s a good start but the consumer industry has a long way to go before becoming fully ethical.

It’s Fashionable

Being a supporter of fair trade fashion doesn’t mean having to wear trousers made of hemp.

Celebrity endorsements and encouragement from fashion schools like Central St. Martin’s, where students use ethical fabric for their designs, are attempting to sculpt the future off fair trade fashion.

Earlier this year, celebrities such as Emma Watson jumped on board to design fair trade T-shirts made from 100% organic cotton whilst fashion high street brands such as Topshop, Debenhams, Laura Ashley, Marks & Spencer and Monsoon have started selling selected fair trade garments. Even H&M participates in the Fair Labour Association and sportswear brand Deuter supports the Fair Wear Foundation.

The hope is that one day that the fair trade culture will no longer apply to a minority of products. The reasons to support fair trade are simple and clear. We want a fair global economy and every individual counts in making a difference.

This article was written by Nicola Hall on behalf of Traidcraft UK, a leading supplier of fair trade products.

Fair Trade Fortnight – Tahini Offer

Will — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:00:05 +0000

Fair Trade fortnight is fast approaching.

Fair Trade Fortnight – Hmm. Encouraging people to make the right choices today, and inspiring them to aspire to a better world tomorrow. As the Fair Trade brand becomes increasingly common, offers like this one could become more and more handy. From February 28th to 13th of March, The Ethically Essential food range is offering 20% off its organic and luxurious Tahini.

For those oblivious as to what on Earth Tahini is, as I was, Tahini is a paste made from finely ground sesame seeds, the core ingredients of hummus, and is a perfectly healthy spread for crackers or toast. It is easily digested and is packed to the brim with vitamins, minerals and energy. Vitamins E, F, T, Tahini is a source of Vitamin A, too. The list of its values goes on, so just believe me when I say it is a hearty and healthy dip!

Why not try it? Bring it to a party as a salad dressing recommended by vegetarian chef Rose Elliot:

2 tablespoons Essential organic fair trade dark Tahini
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
6 tablespoons water
Sea salt

Simply mix all these ingredients into a bowl, until it becomes like a thick mayonnaise. The amount of water you decide to add changes the thickness, so you can choose on what kind of level you want it to be.

The light and dark Tahini is perfect for spicing up a foods night, and because its part of the Fair Trade brand, you know that you’re treating the world well as well as yourself.

Six great ideas for Xmas from Babipur

Brenda — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 11:00:12 +0000

As you know we love Babipur here at TGF. They have such a great range of toys and clothing for babies and toddlers. So here are six great ideas for you to check out this Christmas.

Plan Toys Railway Station with Road & Rail – price is £89.99.
Early Rider Classic 2010 – price is £99.99.
Organic Cotton Fair Trade Crocheted Pink Rattle - price is £10.99.
Fair Trade Wooden Bus Toy – price is £18.89.
Huggalugs Organic Baby Leg Warmers – price is £7.50.
Organic Cotton Baby Pyjamas - price is £20.

With so much to choose from it was hard, let us know what other fab items you have bought from Babipur.

TGF Rated Review: Pinki Cushion

Brenda — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:00:32 +0000

What is it?

Pinki Fair Trade Springbok Cushion.

Who is reviewing it?

Me and my family.

In use

We are reviewing the 50×30 cushion which is made from a single hide panel, with a distinctive white spine and your choice of satin cover. We were checking out the hot pink, but you could choose from canary yellow or apricot. Also it is available in the 45×45 size as well.

Any negatives

No, negatives except the family have loved it so much I may have to work a bit harder to buy some for their rooms!

Price and availability

Available to buy through the Pinki website, with the 50×30 costing £89.

Overall

This cushion has been much loved in it’s short time at my house. The kids loved to snuggle up to it and my hubby thought it made a great decorative adornment on our bed!

TGF Rating

5/5

Fairtrade Toys from Lanka Kade

erica — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:00:43 +0000

Lanka Kade products are designed in the UK and are handmade in Sri Lanka, by 7 family based businesses. Lanka Kade has been approved by BAFTS (British Association of Fair Trade Shops) since 2001 as a fair trade supplier. Many of their products are made from rubberwood sourced from exhausted rubber plantations that are replanted every 10 – 15 years. All Lanka Kade ‘s products and packaging are PVC free.

They make some beautiful, bright toys and furniture items like these fab digger bookends. They would brighten up any little boy’s bedroom and there’s a wide range of other designs, so you can choose one to match just about every child’s interest. The price is £16 for a pair of bookends. My son was given some as a gift and they are robust and hardwearing.

I also love their range of board games, like these Jungle Draughts. It’s based on the traditional game of draughts, but it’s been given a jungle theme. Youchoose a set of baby elephants or lions which begin in the their home ground. When a baby reaches the opposing animals home, you can turn the baby over to reveal the king. Jungle Draughts is priced at £15.

Hair and Skin Treats from Anita Grant

erica — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:00:27 +0000

Anita Grant has some exciting goodies for your hair and body and I’ve been picking out a few favourites.

I’ve never detoxed my hair, but it sounds like a great idea. The Rhassoul Deep Condishes contain unrefined, black cocoa butter and natural soya based vitamin E, which helps to guard your scalp and hair from free radical damage. When you add hot liquid, the Rhassoul Deep Condishes swell up and increase their area. They attract and trap toxins into their open porous spaces, so that when it’s time to rinse, the toxins are eliminated from your hair. Priced from £59.95, but it will last a long time.

For your body, try this skin pampering Creamy Cafe Body Latte. Made with pure Brazilian coffee oil and organic virgin coconut oil to nourish your skin. Organic, unrefined fair trade black cocoa butter from Ghana and the vitamin enriched Australian macadamia nut oil condition your skin . Priced from £6.95.

Anita Grant uses plant based ingredients which aren’t tested on animals. Many of the ingredients come from fair trade suppliers.

Jolly Jungle from Believe You Can

erica — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:07 +0000

If you’re looking for a fair trade gift for a young child or baby, or you’re decorating a nursery, then try taking a peek at the Jolly Jungle Range from Believe You Can. The products are hand made in India for Believe You Can by IFAT(International Fair Trade Association) approved producers.

This wonderful elephant money box would make a great present for a baby or young child. The colourful dots all over the elephant add a fun touch to the design. It would also make a fabulous and unique nursery accessory as it’s very colourful and hand painted. The head unscrews so that pocket money can be retrieved. It’s priced at £14.

What toddler or preschool child doesn’t enjoy putting things in bags? A great gift for this age group is this fab cheeky monkey bag. It’s made from brightly coloured cotton and is reversible – the other side has a funky dots design. For hiding those treasured items there’s a zip pocket and the top of the bag has a magnetic closure. Again it’s available from Believe You Can and it’s priced at £11.

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee!

Brenda — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:00:14 +0000

How good would it be if your fresh morning coffee didn’t just set you up for the day – but also set up a whole community for a better way of life? Well, with Café Rebelde Zapatista coffee from Essential, you really can make a difference.

Café Rebelde is sourced directly from the farming communities in Chiapas, South East Mexico. The indigenous people of the area have been farming the land since 2000 and produce such a fine product that they have created an industry that successfully supports several villages and ensures the community is self-sufficient and able to work and live on the land. Without this industry, the people would be forced into the slums and a life of hardship and poverty.

EVERYONE WINS

The Café Rebelde coffee is delicious and full flavoured with a slight bitterness, offset by an almost ‘chocolatey’ roundness in flavour. Absolutely delicious! It’s available as ground coffee or as beans to suit your taste and coffee maker.

COURAGEOUS COFFEE

The Café Rebelde story is one of courage, fair trading and sheer faith in the power of good people making a difference. The Zapatista group of autonomous indigenous people in Southern Mexico reclaimed 50,000 hectares of land in eastern Chiapas and set about farming it. Around 200,000 people from 1,000 villages are gainfully employed now and 100s of new Zapatista communities have been set up on these lands. They created their own autonomous government system, health, education, water and food production infrastructure.

Funds from the sale of Café Rebelde Zapatista are used directly for a number of water projects. An average water system for 300 people costs around £4,000. While one can be constructed in less than two months, its average lifespan is 20 years! The fresh drinking water and improved sanitation as a result of these coffee-funded water systems brings immeasurable benefit by providing a supply of clean water and drastically reducing infant mortality rates and illness due to water-born diseases.

So your delicious, smooth morning coffee doesn’t just smell good, it does good.

Wake up and make a difference by trying Cafe Rebelde Zapatista Coffee Beans (500g – £6.39) or Cafe Rebelde Zapatista Coffee Ground (250g – £3.25) from www.ethicallyessential.coop

TGF Rated Review: Neal’s Yard Sensual Jasmine Body Cream

erica — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:00:33 +0000

What is it? I’ve been a fan of Neal’s Yard products for some time, so I was thrilled to be sent their Sensual Jasmine Body Cream to review.

Who is testing it? Definitely keeping this one to myself.

Set Up The cream is made from fair trade ingredients and 76% of them come from organic sources. The goodies used to make it include Fair Trade Honey, Fair Trade Brazil nut oil and essentials oils of jasmine and ylang ylang.

In Use I used it after baths and showers – it felt very luxurious and was a real treat to apply. The cream has quite a strong floral scent, probably due to the essential oils used. The texture of the cream is light and it was easily absorbed when I applied it. My skin was left feeling richly moisturised, soft and smooth.

Any Negatives Probably one to use on an evening in or when not planing to use perfume, as the scent of the cream would compete with your fragrance.

Price and Availability Available from Neal’s Yard at a price of £25.10 for 150g.

Overall Great as a treat or to give as a gift.

TGF Rating 5/5

TGF Rated Review: Dr Bronner’s Magic “All-One” Organic Fair Trade Shikakai Soap

Brenda — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:00:15 +0000

What is it?

It is a fantasic idea as its a cleanser for both the body and hair.

Who is reviewing it?

Me Claire, wife and mum of two boys.

In Use?

It comes in a neat 356ml pump bottle, with a great description of the soap and fair trade details, when I used it, it has a zingy lemongrass lime smell which is very refreshing, I really liked it as a body wash.

Any negatives?

I did find it a little runny especially when used as a hand soap.

Price and availability?

Shikakai Soap (RRP £6.99) Dr Bronner’s is available nationwide including Liberty London, UK health stores and www.victoriahealth.com To find your nearest stockist call t: 0845 072 5825.

Overall

It is a great “All-One” soap, which would be ideal to take on holiday and I look forward to trying the other flavours.

TGF Rating

4/5