Fairtrade Fortnight 2020
This week marks the start of Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from 24th February to 8th March 2020. This year the Fairtrade Foundation are continuing to call for cocoa farmers to earn a living income, as well as sharing stories that show the positive impact that only Fairtrade has on women.
Fairtrade Standards cover:
Price: The Fairtrade Premium and the Fairtrade Minimum Price are driving real change, right now. Fairtrade farmers and workers have a safety net that protects them from low prices for their crops.
Premium: Fairtrade farmers and workers choose how they spend the Premium, which they can use to make their farms and communities stronger. It also allows them to invest in different ways of making money, so that they are less reliant on the unpredictable markets.
Women’s empowerment: Fairtrade is also supporting more women cocoa farmers to take the reins and stand tall alongside men. Fairtrade Standards make sure that they have a voice in their community, are represented in decision-making and benefit from Fairtrade. Independent income in the hands of women brings positive change to communities even faster.
Environment: Rigorous Fairtrade Standards support farmers to protect the environment and the Fairtrade Premium is enabling them to invest in climate resilience and adaptation.
To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, we’re sharing 10 staff picks from the team at Oxford indie Fairtrade St Michaels to celebrate the diversity of products the shop has to offer. >>
Julia
‘This cook book is fantastic as I want to learn more about Middle Eastern cuisine’
Palestine On A Plate by Joudie Kalla
Katie
‘I love this soaps from Carishea because it supports disadvantaged people from both sides of the world – Ghana and Scotland. (And the soap smells nice!)’
Soap made from shea nuts that are grown in Ghana. These nuts are then processed to form soap in Greenock, Inverclyde, in partnership with addiction rehabilitation services and the Scottish Prison Service.
Dan
‘Tropical Wholefoods Mango is a sweet taste sensation, a journey of flavour. It’s incredible that nature alone can produce this richness of flavour, I find it quite profound’.
Nurtured and harvested by traditional mango growers in Burkina Faso.
Jo
‘This rainbow mosaic mirror would fit so perfectly with my circular rag rug’.
Handmade in Bali.
Trio
‘ This sleepy little mouse could not be more ready to get snuggled up in bed!’
Decorations hand felted in Nepal.
Luke
‘This honey is delicious!’
Organic Mexican blossom honey harvested by smallholder farmer cooperatives in Mexico.
Daniella
‘ These slippers are really well made and are pretty much guaranteed to keep your toes cosy.’
Slippers hand felted in Nepal.
Lindsay
‘ The hand embroidered poppy design is rather gorgeous.’
Cosmetic case handmade in Vietnam.
Adam
‘My favourite items must be this collection of Thuya wooden boxes. The grain is amazing!’
Thuya wooden boxes handmade in Southern Morocco.
Feng
‘I need this bag! It’s the perfect size for everything you need for a day out with the kids, and have two hands free to grab hold of a hood or any other random object that might be thrusted at you.’
Leather rucksack handmade in Rajasthan, India.
As a fairtrade city, Oxford has been championing fairtrade for over 15 years. To become a fairtrade city Oxford had to pass 5 criteria including the city council actively using fairtrade goods, fairtrade goods sold through shops in the city, businesses and press championing local fairtrade efforts, and events promoting and increasing fairtrade across the the city.
You can find out more about Oxford Fairtrade initiatives here.
Love, Rosie
xxx
