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Cadburys Dairy Milk

She will be delighted to hear the news that the new Fairtrade version of Cadburys Dairy Milk is now available at over 200 000 outlets across the UK and Ireland.  Best of all, Cadburys have absorbed the extra costs themselves and there is no price increase for the consumer. Yummy!

Consumption of chocolate in our house did decrease for a while when it was decided that too much was being eaten.  It was agreed that chocolate could only be eaten every other day.  Now, in theory, this should have reduced chocolate in take by half, but it does not seem to have worked out that way.  I think it might be something to do with a lapse diary system of that no rule was put in place to say how much could be eaten on a chocolate eating day.  Something of an oversight. Cadburys Dairy Milk sales will be unaffected by this approach!

Did you know that you can get a range of Fair Trade chocolates from the internet and have them sent to you?  You can find Divine Chocolate, Traidcraft, Green and Blacks as well as Dubble Chocolate at www.ethicalsuperstore.com They often have special offers there, too.  They are UK based (in Gateshead) and they will post your items to you. TIP – they have a really good section on Gift Ideas in the top right corner of their website.

Go take a look for some yummy chocolate whilst feeling good about it at www.ethicalsuperstore.com

The Worldwide sales of Fairtrade products increased by an impressive 22% in 2008.  In fact, consumers spent an estimated 2.9 billion Euros on Fairtrade products globally. Worldwide sales have more or less doubled for both Fairtrade tea and for Fairtrade cotton items.

Fairtrade bananas sales grew by 28% to 300,000 metric tonnes whilst Fairtrade coffee sales increased 14% to 66,000 metric tonnes.

Ruth Simba, Coordinator of the African Fairtrade Network, the representative body of Fairtrade producers in Africa, said “We are very happy that consumers are supporting Fairtrade in ever increasing numbers. These Fairtrade sales make a real difference to the farmers and workers I represent. As the global recession hits us, the income and stability that Fairtrade brings is all the more important.”

Record UK Fairtrade sales of over £700m were welcomed by Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation.  She said “We’re delighted that the growth of 43% in Fairtrade sales, keeps us on track with our plan to double the impact of Fairtrade by 2012. In the current global economic climate, farmers need Fairtrade more than ever. So it is profoundly reassuring to know that globally, consumers are still wholeheartedly backing a better deal for farmers and workers around the world, enabling them to survive this crisis and continue investing in stronger businesses and a better life for their communities. And it makes sense for business to build long-term relations with producers on whom they depend while also responding to public demand for Fairtrade.”

There were 746 Fairtrade certified producer organizations representing over one million and a half individual farmers and workers as of the end of 2008. There are at least another 70,000 members of affiliated organisations that belong to Fairtrade certified producer groups that also benefit from Fairtrade, which include women’s groups and other groups not directly involved in the production of Fairtrade products, like cattle herders.

See the full story at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk

Why not stock up on some Fairtrade Wines? That way, you will know that you always have a treat in stock that you can also feel good about!

You can find a really good selection Fairtrade Wines here and have them delivered to you.

It is extremely nice to be able to relax after a hard week with that bottle of Fairtrade Wine.  The guilt of drinking it is vastly reduced by knowing that I bought Fairtrade.  There again, it dos not take much to convince me that I should be drinking wine……

Seriously, though, a lot of people drink wine at home instead of going out.  I believe that the majority of those folks are unaware that there are Fair Trade versions of their favourite wines out there.  I must say that I have not noticed them as much at the bigger supermarkets. It is my duty to inform you that you should be drinking Fairtrade Wine.

Now you know. So, please, tell everyone you know that they should also go and buy Fairtrade Wine!

The UK has well defined, long established laws to protect its workforce against employers tempted to save money on labour.  There are health and safety requirements, equal rights legislation and we even have a Minimum Wage to make sure people get at least some degree of protection from low pay.

These rights have been hard fought for and won.  Trade Unions have played an immense part in achieving them and this is one reason why workers in poorer countries are not allowed to become organised.  Employers can keep a group of employees in hand more easily if they cannot act as one.  The right to join a union or workers’ organisation          of some sort is one of the most basic rights that a person can ask for.  It is one of the key things on the Fair Trade agenda and is one of the ways in which things can improve.

The question I ask myself is how come we can expect all of these rights and protections for our workforce in the UK, but we quite happily let poorer nations’ workers go without such protection?  What is behind this double standard?

One overwhelming reason is that it suits us.  The status quo means that we can be happy that our own people are well looked after whilst enjoying cheap goods and products from overseas. It is much easier to turn a blind eye to the plight of workers hundreds or thousands of miles away and even say that it is up to others – like the international corporations that make and import such products or govenrment – to look after them.

Increasingly, though, we have to acknowledge that we do know about the situation of the world’s workers and we cannot blindly go on ignoring their suffering whilst enjoying the benefits.  We must change.

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]]> http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/fairtrade-premium-great/feed/ 0 http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/fair-trade-goods-starting/ http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/fair-trade-goods-starting/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:01:32 +0000 John Higgins http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/?p=893 People may criticise Fair Trade goods, but they are just starting out….

In the UK, there were just £16.7 million of sales of Fair Trade goods in 1998 – hardly a huge amount.  The figure had escalated to £493 million in 2007.  That is nearly half a billion pounds of sales and is a huge increase.

Protractors of Fairtrade say that Fairtrade is protectionist and that the market should be left to decide the price of a product.  Competition and efficiency follow on from this as well as innovation.  The Free Trade argument also uses the theory of Comparative Advantage.  Very simply, this says that any two countries should do what they are best at and that trading is better for everyone as a result.

Anyway, just carrying on trade with a country will help it climb out of poverty.  Trade of any sort is positive and must surely help the poorer nation’s people over the long term.  Foreign trade puts cash into the economy and creates employment and that further supports the local economy.  Over time, such a country’s economy will improve grow and the wages, wealth and working manner of its workers will get better.

Fairtrade also faces criticism for creating inefficiencies in the market, that it reduces product quality because the better produce is put aside for sale on the open market rather than being put through the Fairtrade scheme.  Some people have said that here are more methods of helping the world’s poorest instead of just giving them a guaranteed reasonable price for their goods.  For instance, most of the value in a product is created at the time the raw material is manufactured and the finished item is produced.  However, that part of the process normally takes place in wealthier countries.  The roasting of coffee beans prior to before export would make much higher income for producers.

Fans of Fair Trade Goods strongly argue that the majority of products that are made by third world countries, such as coffee beans, have highly erratic prices.  Business planning is very difficult or impossible s a result of this and the cash flow situation very difficult, to say the least.  The long term prices of such goods show a decrease, too.  Developing countries require far more help than just any trade at any price.  They also state that the actions of the international companies that supply our consumer goods and even much of our food help to reduce both the wages and working conditions of overseas workers as they try to meet consumers’ demands for ever cheaper goods.

Looking at all of this there are truths in both arguments.  Standing back from a distance and viewing the arguments it is clear to see that something new is going on.  Fairtrade has been around a very short time and will evolve.  In fact, it has to change and become better if it is to meet the needs of all everyone involved.  Debate is vital in this process as it will help everyone’s understanding and move things forward.  Innovation should follow and Fairtrade should find its way forward.  Fairtrade supporters need to understand its weaknesses and see how it can be improved, whilst those on the other side of the argument could make a vital contribution to its well being by making suggestions for its improvement.

My opinion is that they may not be perfect but we should strongly consider purchasing Fair Trade Goods whenever we can.

]]> http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/fair-trade-goods-starting/feed/ 0 http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/fairtrade-organisation/ http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/fairtrade-organisation/#comments Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:41:26 +0000 John Higgins http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/?p=888 Fairtrade organisation is crucial; otherwise, nothing would happen about Fairtrade!  Someone, somewhere, has to do something in order to get any activity started in the first place.

Take the children’s playgroup that I attend.  I turn up every week with two children, pay my £3.00, and my kids have a great time for a couple of hours playing with friends,  I help tidy up at the end and then go home.

The whole thing only happens because there are a group of people who make it happen.  The play group is actually run by a charity which has active members who think up ideas, decide on a plan, and then make it happen.

The same is true for Fairtrade.  It needs organisation.  The most important part of that process is leadership.  However, we can all do our bit – like me helping to do the clearing up at playgroup – and will it help the cause.

It can be as simple as thinking about Fairtrade products when you are shopping.  You could become actively involved in Fairtrade matters or campaign for better workers’ rights by writing to your supermarket and saying you want to see more Fairtrade products on the shelves.

You can find out more about Fairtrade organisation by looking at the Fairtrade Resources list on this site.

I urge you to do something, though.  No matter how small.  Just do something to help Fairtrade Organisation.  Be part of it because it will help the world’s poorest, the environment, me, you and generations to come.

]]> http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/fairtrade-organisation/feed/ 0 http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/cadburys-milk-goes-fairtrade-well-done-cadburys/ http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/cadburys-milk-goes-fairtrade-well-done-cadburys/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:34:19 +0000 John Higgins http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/?p=383 Cadbury’s Milk Chocolate going Fairtrade is great news – especially as there will be no price increase! It costs more to make a Fairtrade chocolate bar but Cadburys have absorbed the cost.

It has taken Cadburys a couple of years to make this change. There must have been a tremendous amount of work involved and it would have been a huge business decision, especially as they have made a long term commitment to the producers of chocolate to remain Fairtrade.

Have a look at my article about Cadbury’s venture into Fairtrade and why it is such good news.

There is a Cadbury’s tradition of philanthropy that goes back a long, long way. The family that started Cadburys have done huge amounts to help many people. The village of Bourneville, in Birmingham, was designed to be a “factory in a garden” where workers could live a decent, quality life, whilst working for the firm. It is worth popping into the village to see how it was constructed. It is still a fascinating place to see.

Once again, well done Cadburys!!!!!

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]]> http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/cadburys-milk-goes-fairtrade-well-done-cadburys/feed/ 0 http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/fairtrade-means-looking-after-the-planet/ http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/fairtrade-means-looking-after-the-planet/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:38:51 +0000 John Higgins http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/?p=366 Fair trade means looking after the environment because the two subjects are linked very, very closely.  It is a tragedy that the worst effects of climate change happen in the poorest parts of the world.

Cafod launched its “Hands Together for Climate Justice” campaign in March this year.  It is gaining momentum as it builds towards the UN climate change talks to be held in December 2009.

There are a whole range of actions that you can take to support this initiative.  This includes sending a postcard to the Prime Minister, a Campaigner’s Kit to help spread the news, Bible and Retreat materials and youth and school group resources.

The quality of the material that Cafod provides is brilliant and well worth ordering and using as suits your needs.

Fairtrade means doing something.  Find out more about this campaign and get those free resources at www.Caford.org

]]> http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/fairtrade-means-looking-after-the-planet/feed/ 0 http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/divine-chocolate-is-divine-chocolate/ http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/divine-chocolate-is-divine-chocolate/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:13:55 +0000 John Higgins http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/?p=359 I have recently become a chocolate addict due to the influence of my wife!  Divine Chocolate is a Fair Trade product with a fascinating history.  I have placed a video here which tells you about Divine Chocolate .

Interesting, eh?

You can get your hands on Divine Chocolate at Ethical Superstore – you do not even have to leave home to buy it!  Fair trade was never easier!

Now you can enjoy some Divine Chocolate with a little less guilt than usual………

]]> http://www.my-fair-trade.co.uk/divine-chocolate-is-divine-chocolate/feed/ 0