Everyone has heard of Fairtrade and can probably recognise the Fairtrade logo, but do you know if what you are buying is Fairtrade? What can you do to make a difference and make sure organisations and their staff are working and being paid fairly?
What is Fairtrade?
From www.fairtrade.org.uk - ‘Fairtrade works with farmers and workers in more than 1,900 producer organisations, across 70 countries, so they can improve their living standards, invest in their communities and businesses, and protect our shared environment. As an international movement and in partnership with 2 million farmers and workers, Fairtrade has a vision of a world in which all producers enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential, and decide on their future.’
What shops sell Fairtrade products?
There are a ton of products you can buy that are Fairtrade, including beauty products, cotton fabric and even gold!
But we assume you aren’t buying gold on a weekly basis, so here is a list of supermarkets and the products you can purchase that are Fairtrade:
Aldi:
Aldi source Fairtrade products across a wide range of their stock including bananas, cocoa and flowers. They are a front runner in selling Fairtrade as they have invested £200k over four years to support the Fairtrade Flowers Gender Empowerment Project. You can find out more about that here: Fairtrade Flowers Project
Nearest Aldi to the Uni - Regent St, Leeds LS7 1AX
Co-op:
Co-op was one of the initial leaders of selling Fairtrade, as they have been doing so for over 25 years. They were the first UK retailer to stock Fairtrade products in all their stores back in 1998.
All of Co-op’s tea, coffee, bananas, cocoa, bagged sugar and African roses are Fairtrade. They are also the largest seller of Fairtrade wine in the world!
Nearest Co-op to Uni – LUU Lower ground, 2 Lifton Pl, Leeds LS2 9JZ
Lidl:
Lidl offer over 40 different Fairtrade products in their stores. You can buy a huge range of cocoa products, including chocolate bars and biscuits, plus cereal and ice-cream too! You can also purchase tea, coffee, sugar, bananas, wine and flowers as well.
Nearest Lidl to Uni - Armley Road, LS12 2LL Leeds
M&S:
Who doesn’t love a trip to an M&S food hall? M&S now have over 200 Fairtrade certified products in their stores. All M&S own-label tea and coffee is Fairtrade, and has been since 2006. They also use 100% fairtrade tea and coffee in their cafes too. So go and get yourself a tasty, Fairtrade brew!
Nearest M&S to Uni – Unit 2/3/4, Central Square, 2-4 Wellington St, Leeds LS1 4EA
Sainsbury’s:
Sainsbury’s are the UK's largest retailer of Fairtrade products as they have generated approximately £25 million in Fairtrade Premium products over the last 4 years. You can buy a whole range of Sainsbury’s own-brand products that are Fairtrade, such as bananas, sugars, tea, coffee, wine and a whole bunch of items from their ‘Taste the difference’ range too.
Nearest Sainsbury’s to Uni - 22-26 The Headrow, Leeds LS1 8EQ
As well as the items above, also look out for herbs and spices and fruit and veg too that have the Fairtrade logo. Plus, it doesn't only stop at food and drink, you can also purchase Fairtrade make up such as Odylique lipstick and even Primark’s Wellness Collection (available in selected stores) sells six different beauty products that contain Fairtrade-certified shea butter and olive oil!
You can do your bit to make sure everyone is being treated, paid, and are working fairly, just by changing which of your daily products you buy! But there are so many more products out there that are Fairtrade certified, and all you have to do is look out for the little logo. You can find out more via www.fairtrade.org.uk
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