Robinson - A Fairtrade College!

Earlier this year (2010) our application for Fairtrade Status was approved and so we are now an official Fairtrade College! This means that we meet the set of criteria by selling Fairtrade products in all of our outlets, using Fairtrade products at meetings etc. and raising awareness of what Fairtrade is through events run in College throughout the year. There's more information below on how Fairtrade works.

Fairtrade - is it really all that much fairer?

Yes, although it’s currently an (albeit growing) drop in an ocean. Even corporations like Nestle and Kraft are to begin adding Fairtrade products to their ranges, attempting to improve the damaged images earned through massive purchasing of coffee and other products at cripplingly low prices on the world market. The world’s 25 million coffee growers, for example, have suffered greatly from the collapse in prices in recent years.

Fairtrade was introduced 13 years ago to try and guarantee a better price for growers by cutting out the conglomerate middle man. It also encourages greater respect for the environment. Fairtrade still represents only a small percentage of global transactions, but does guarantee a better price and working conditions for producers in Less Economically Developed Countries, where much of what we consume is produced. It also fosters greater care for the environment in the production methods used.

If trade is the key to development, then Fairtrade can have a deeper impact on communities than solely providing extra cash. Wages, working conditions and job security can be improved if the product is sold for a decent profit.

  • Fairtrade sales have grown dramatically in the UK from £16.7m in 1998 to £140m in 2004.
  • More than 900 products have now been accredited from wine to mint humbugs, footballs to roses!

It is not just buying Fairtrade coffee brands like CafeDirect that can help - products such as cookies may contain Fairtrade ginger or pineapple that can keep a small farmer or factory afloat hence there are multiple scales on which Fairtrade is helping producers. In Sainsbury's, look out for bananas, coffee, sugar, biscuits, juice and more. The Co-Op sells a good range of Fairtrade chocolate and cakes, and Oxfam sells lots of Traidcraft foods and gifts.

Do Fair Trade goods cost more?

Generally, Fairtrade goods don't cost more than other goods because the large percentage taken by middlemen is removed from the equation. The cost remains similar to traditionally traded goods; however, the distribution of the cost of the product is different. A jar of Nescafe may be slightly cheaper but the difference per cup of coffee is tiny - plus you may decide it's worth the extra cost!

Links to find out more