Caring for God’s Earth – Fairtrade

The Fairtrade Foundation works with farmers and workers in 71 countries around the world to improve their living standards, invest in their communities and businesses and protect our shared environment. There are more than 1.9 million farmers and workers in Fairtrade certified producer organisations worldwide and in 2020, £169 million in Fairtrade premiums were paid to farmers and workers.

Workers on Fairtrade certified large scale farms invested 20% of their premiums in education services for workers and their families, while smaller producer organisations invested 48% of their premiums in services and support for members, such as farm tools and payments. In buying Fairtrade goods we are able to pay a fair price which benefit farmers disadvantaged by globe trade, allowing them to send their children to school and have a better standard of living. There are over 6,000 Fairtrade certified products for sale in the UK, from bananas, tea, coffee and sugar, to spices, cotton, beauty products and wine. Please look out for the Fairtrade mark when shopping. The items will be slightly dearer but that extra cost will be passed back to the producers in Fairtrade premiums. We can all do our bit to help trade become fairer to all.