Fairtrade – Your Choice?

Sometimes we can be overwhelmed by choice – whether it is flavours of chocolate, colours of scarves or design of hand embroidered cards the choice is there. We may struggle to decide but we still expect to have that choice.

For many people in our world, a lack of choice may be the reality of their lives. They know how much it has cost them to produce or grow their products, but sometimes the price they are offered is lower than that cost. The choice then is do they accept that price and at least have some income or refuse and run the risk of no income.

Preventing the exploitation of some of the most vulnerable people in our world was the motivation behind the fair trade movement.

Fairtrade not only ensures that the people who have made or grown a product are paid a fair price or wage, it also ensures people have the benefits such as pensions, sick and maternity pay and no child labour, it also allows the workers to choose how the ‘fairtrade premium’ (part of the profits) is used to benefit their community.

2019-03 - F2AcThe women who make the Llamas and Fairies range sold at fair2all have spent their Fairtrade Premium on several schools, a Health Centre and a Vets Clinic – as it is a farming area it is important that their livestock is kept healthy.

Figures from the Fairtrade Foundation say that £1.86 is the amount a cocoa farmer in West Africa needs to earn each day in order to achieve a living income. Currently, a typical cocoa farmer in Cote d’Ivoire lives on around 74p a day. Almost all cocoa farmers in West Africa live in poverty. A high proportion of the chocolate we consume is made from West African cocoa. Is it right that as we enjoy our favourite treat the people who have grown the cocoa don’t have the clean water, education or healthcare we take for granted?

We can choose to buy Fairtrade products and we could support the Fairtrade Foundation’s campaign see www.fairtrade.org.uk to make a living income become a reality for cocoa farmers in West Africa – I also have cards that can be signed in fair2all.

If you would like a fairtrade Easter Egg, whether it is supplied by Divine Chocolate or the Meaningful Chocolate Company (these contain booklets telling the Easter Story) please order them by the middle of March, because although Easter is not till 21st April it is very hard to have sufficient stocks without some guidance as to numbers required. Thanks

New Opening Hours

Monday and Tuesday 10.00 – 2.30 Wednesday – Saturday 10 – 4 Please check on facebook or Google my business for any alterations

Fair2all, 17 Bath Street, Ashby 01530 417286

PS. Two Fairtrade Fortnight Treats from fair2all

  1. Have a taste of fairtrade chocolate - Enjoy a free bar (35g) of Divine Chocolate when you spend £20 or more and leave an email address
  2. All Nomads Clothes are Half Original Price

Enjoy!