This company is a model of what good business can do and bring to our global community. By aligning themselves as a Fairtrade Labeling Organization they are committing to paying their partners in production a living wage for themselves and their families. If adults can pay for shelter, food, clothing, medical needs, emergencies, and expenses for education, then children no longer have to contribute to family income.

In addition the company also pays a 20% premium, which is used for improving the lives of the workers, their families and their communities. Programs which have been instituted include community clinics and healthcare insurance - a first in this industry - as well as micro-credit loans and more. These are major improvements for the some 44,000 people in Pakistan who are involved in making 70% of the world’s soccer balls at wages far below any standard of living.

Somehow, when I consider the number of balls my boys have gone through in their soccer years, it seems like I should have known some of this, but like most of what we buy, their source and the labor that went into it is disturbingly not part of the marketing package. In addition with all the good that you can do buying one of these fair trade balls, the pricing is remarkably competitive to what you would pay in any store.

So its a win-win all they way around. We get to throw our purchasing power into some truly respectable projects supporting the people in the world who make our games possible, and with every toss or kick, we teach our children through words and actions, that the real goal is in playing fair. For more information or to get one of these great balls for your kids upcoming season go to www.FairTradeSports.com

There’s more to Fair Trade than just food. It’s not just bananas, cocoa and coffee; Fair Trade can apply to clothes and even toys.

It’s about partnership with the suppliers in developing countries, making sure they get a fair price for their products, whilst ensuring decent working conditions and fair terms of trade, even for the smaller producers.

There are those who claim that retailers are jumping on the proverbial bandwagon to sell us Fair Trade products, but does it matter if they are? Fair Trade sales reached nearly £500 million in the UK last year and that’s down to consumers voting with their wallets to make a difference.

Certified Fair Trade products are easy to spot - they’re allowed to carry the Fairtrade Foundation’s mark.

The Fairtrade Foundation’s message for Fairtrade Fortnight 2008 is that, whilst sales of Fairtrade products continue to soar, change is still not happening quickly enough for the millions of the world’s poorest farmers who remain trapped in ‘trade poverty’. With 2 billion working people earning less than US$2 a day and many of these producing the products we put in our shopping baskets, the Fairtrade Foundation believes that it is critical to increase the momentum for change through Fairtrade in 2008.

Some argue that Fair Trade could be fairer, as much of the profit is still in the processing of the raw materials, which is often done in developed countries. As shoppers, we need to keep putting pressure on the major (and smaller) brands to do as much as possible to support the growers. In the meantime, Fair Trade at least ensures the farmers are getting a fairer deal.

The Fairtrade Foundation expects there to be over 10,000 local events during the fortnight. Find out if there’s a Fairtrade event near you. There’s a Fair Trade bus touring the country and local events range from coffee mornings and wine tasting to concerts and talks with producers.

MY FAIRTRADE

This is a new networking website set up by the Fairtrade Foundation. It gives all of us the opportunity to share news and ideas about supporting fair trade. I’ll definitely add something on there about Fair Trade Gedling soon.

I did feel that this site wasn’t very easy to navigate and doesn’t have the most logical format but I do think its a fantastic idea and its great to see all the fair trade support and activities out there. Take a look at http://my.fairtrade.org.uk

FAIR TRADE TOWNS

Back in February I wrote a post about fair trade in the borough of Gedling (where I live) and how a steering group was being set up in order to work towards gedling achieving Fair Trade Town status.

Well since then, the steering group has been formed and plans are well underway with the first task being to identify local shops, cafes/restaurants and workplaces who sell, use or serve Fairtrade goods. I’m sitting on the steering group as a local business rep with our web design business Make Hay.

If you run a business in the Gedling borough of Nottinghamshire you may have received a letter about this or one of the steering group members may have visited you. If you do run a business in the Gedling area and sell / use Fairtrade goods on a regular basis then please let us know so that we can add you to our Fair Trade Town directory. You can contact me by filling in the contact form on this website.

We’re also looking for more steering group members so that together we can raise the profile of and support fair trade. If you live in the area and would like to sit on the steering group, please contact me.

FAIR TRADE ON E-BAY

Did you know that e-bay (UK) now has a shop dedicated to fair trade?

You can search for lovely fair trade items by category (bags, jewellery etc) but unfortunately the pages about fair trade itself and FT sellers seem to have disappeared.

In the shop you’ll see some of the old favourites like Traidcraft and Bishopston Trading and e-bay says “All products are FLO certified or from Fair Trade Organizations registered through IFAT”.

Take a look at the e-bay fair trade shop here.

For anything fair trade related visit the Fairtrade Foundation’s website at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk

the area is the one surrounding the odeon stage - how cool is that ? - has anyone else any good fairtrade/green references from festivals ?

it’s so cool that they are acting on this =)

When we lived in London, we loved getting the chance at the Old Truman Brewery off Brick Lane to see our favourite fair trade fashion come out of the catalogue and onto the clothes hanger.  So I was thrilled to see a poster announcing that Green Threads was bringing the fair to Fabrica in Brighton for Fairtrade Fortnight.

All the usual favourites will be there…

People Tree - with some gorgeous garments in their new Spring collection

Howies - the ‘go to’ people for a talking point t-shirt! And lots of lovely comfort clothes…

And top Tonic t-shirts and Ethletic trainers (must get me some of those…) too.

Oh, and when’s all this happening? Well it all kicks off tomorrow (sorry about the late notice - I only saw the poster on Monday!) with late opening till 9pm…

Thursday 8 March 5-9pm
Friday 9 March 10am-6pm
Saturday 10 March 10am-6pm
Sunday 11 March 11am-4pm

Will I see you there? Hope so!

Katie
ethicalweddings.com

To demonstrate their committment to this the council have set out 5 main goals:

1. The council has already passed a Fairtrade resolution.
2. Fairtrade goods must be sold in local shops and Fairtrade products served in local cafes and restaurants.
3. Fairtrade products must be used by a number if local workplaces and community organisations
4. Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign
5. Set up a Fairtrade steering group of councillors, campaigners and representatives from locals schools, churches and businesses.

If you are a resident of Gedling Borough and would like to be involved or express your support then don’t delay! Either visit the Arnold Civic Centre and fill in an expression of interest form or telephone Allan Leadbeater on 0115 961 1316 or Phil Barlow on 0115 952 6488.

This is such great news and a massive step forward for Gedling! I love the idea of being able to walk to a local cafe and sit down with a lovely hot fair trade coffee rather than this being an unusual treat you can only find in the city centre. All credit to our local borough council for taking the lead, you have GGGs support and good wishes!

Visit the Gedling Borough council website to find out more about their aims for Fairtrade town status.

While The Times reported yesterday that overall marriages had dropped dramatically from 2004-2005, the interest in ethical celebrations is definitely on the way up, the only problem is how to do it.

Alex, whose own wedding recently featured in The Guardian’s ‘Green Guide’, says: “I’m a strong believer in the principles of fair trade and I want to show people how they can make this a part of their special day…and in doing so, make it even more special!“

Personally, I think Alex’s idea is an excellent one. It’s what Ethical Weddings is all about - taking positive action and giving everyone something to celebrate: the couple and their friends and family, and the workers who are receiving a fair wage for their products, from wine to chocolate, and fabrics to jewellery.

The results of Alex’s frantic Fairtrade Fortnight will be revealed day by day from Monday on the Ethical Weddings blog where brides planning ethical weddings and civil partnerships are already talking about their preparations for the big day.

Anyone who has tips or suggestions is encouraged to email Alex at alex@ethicalweddings.com

Well, after a bit of a break while my husband and I shuttled around the South of England visiting the various members of our family for the festive season, I’m back and ready for a Christmas debrief!

I’m intrigued to know how other green givers got on with the annual shopping frenzy and am happy to offer up my own findings to start us off…

Christmas crept up on me.  I didn’t manage any goats or chickens this time as I did the year before using the Good Gifts catalogue and I thought I was going to resort to a last minute dash around the shops…until my December issues of Organic Life, The Ecologist, New Consumer and Amnesty International (AI) came to my rescue!

Their Christmas gift guides provided the required inspiration and even though I had left it as late as 15th December, New Consumer, Ethical Superstore and AI were all still offering guaranteed delivery in time for Christmas.

So I sat down and did nearly all my shopping in one afternoon! People Tree hat and Ethical Careers Guide for my sister, Ethical Travel Guide for my brother’s girlfriend, beautiful mango-wood salad bowl and servers, exquisite wooden cube perpetual calendar for my dad and yummy veggie recipe calendar for my mum…

And one of the surprise successes that I took a bit of a gamble on: a coconut thumb piano for my brother - gorgeously carved and excellent value at £9.95!

So Christmas all wrapped up, the cash going where it can make a difference and quality presents to unwrap.

The only downside was the postage and packing costs which weren’t waived however much you spent…perhaps this could be tackled for Christmas 2007?

Oh, and I almost forgot, when I did venture out to the shops I found a lovely shirt for my husband in Help the Aged for the princely sum of £2.99.  I pressed it and folded it beautifully - he’d never have known it wasn’t brand new…if I hadn’t spilt the beans unable to stop myself bragging about my ability to spot a bargain!

But enough about me, how did you get on? Did you take a stand against commercialism and buy nothing? Did you donate to charity on behalf of your loved ones? Did you find just what you were after in the ethical online stores or in charity shops? Or did you do the last minute dash to the 24 hour garage?! Tell us - we want to hear all about it!

Take care,

Katie
ethicalweddings.com

Held at the YMCA on Shakespeare Street there were stalls from Traidcraft, CND, Veggies, Tearcraft and many more. As well as these well known organisations there was a stall from Make Hay’s good friend MondOrganico, selling a range of beautiful, ecological and handmade skincare and health products. Of course I had to treat myself to some lovely soaps and face cream and having used them before I can happily say they make you feel really good.

To find out where you can buy MondOrganico goods at future events, watch this space!