You've probably been reading and hearing lots about Fairtrade Fortnight (25 February to 9 March 2008), but what's all about?
What is Fairtrade?
Put simply, Fairtrade exists to ensure that producers receive a fair price for what they produce, and that their communities can survive and prosper. It's a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. In the UK, the Fairtrade Foundation was established in 1992, with the first products to carry the Fairtrade Mark launched in 1994.
You've probably seen the familiar logo on lots of products in the supermarket, and it's your guarantee that no-one has been exploited in the manufacturing process.
The British public is certainly taking Fairtrade to its heart, with sales of Fairtrade products in 2007 up a staggering 81% on 2006 to £493m. One in five bananas sold in supermarkets is Fairtrade, up 130% and sales of tea and coffee are also up by 24%.
What's Fairtrade got to do with babies?
But it's not just food that's covered by the Fairtrade mark.
The number of items made from Fairtrade cotton rose from just over half a million in 2006 to just under 9.5 million last year. The bigger, mainstream companies are getting on board, too - look out for Fairtrade products in Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Debenhams, to name just a few.
Among the smaller companies you'll find some great babywear that any baby would be proud to wear, regardless of its green credentials. The following are particularly good, but do look at the Fairtrade Foundation's website for a full list of products.
www.piccalilly.co.uk
www.hug.co.uk
www.tracesofrock.com
www.lazybaby.com
And finally, if you want to send flowers, make sure they're Fairtrade too: this is another growth area (if you'll excuse the pun!) - look for blooms at Interflora, Waitrose, john Lewis, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda, Next and Wholefoods.
For more information visit www.fairtrade.org.uk
