This Fairtrade Fortnight - Why Should We Care?Rachel Roxburgh - 6 Mar 2014

Are You Fanatical About Fairtrade?

The temptation to write ‘If not, why not?’, briefly berate you and leave the blog post there, is, I admit, something I have to stop myself doing. But right now - we’re in the middle of Fairtrade Fortnight, and it’s a big deal! (Pun intended).

So why am I so obsessed with Fairtrade? And why should it matter to you? 

Well, firstly, it’s about products, and whether it’s bananas, coffee or cotton clothing, we all use products. 

And it’s also about the places that make those products - where have your bananas come from? 

But most of all it’s about the producers: The people behind the products. It’s ensuring farmers and workers in developing countries receive a fair deal for their produce, maintain dignified livelihoods and can develop their full potential.

Ultimately Fairtrade matters because it’s about people.

                                             A poor person’s farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away.
                                                                                                     Proverbs 13: 23

I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.
- Edward Everett Hale

Your consumer choices count and you can make a real difference. God sees what you do in supermarkets as much as he sees what you do on Sundays.

It’s been 20 years since the first fair trade products hit the shelves, so the concept has been around for a while. But what exactly is Fairtrade and how can it change the world of commerce?

Fairtrade can be a way out of poverty. Currently 7 million disadvantaged producers, workers and their families are already benefiting from Fairtrade, which is awesome.

But they and millions more still remain at the mercy of unfair international trade rules. So we need to do more than buy Fairtrade – we also need to campaign for fair trade.

Make trade fair

We eat an incredible 5 billion bananas every year in the UK. Over the past 10 years, the typical price of a banana in the UK has nearly halved, whilst the cost of production has doubled. Definitely not fair for farmers.

I pity the man who wants a coat so cheap that the man or woman who produces the cloth will starve in the process. 
- Benjamin Harrison 

We’re called to ‘speak up for the poor and helpless and see that they get justice’ (Proverbs 31:9). So this Fairtrade Fortnight join with banana farmers to make bananas fair!

And if you’re already into Fairtrade, what more can you do? Well… spread the word or try a new product. Stunning Fairtrade clothing exists and is well worth the extra pennies…could you treat yourself – even one item? Give it a go!

Whatever you do this Fairtrade week, take time to see the person behind the product and give thanks that everyday ethical purchases can change the world! ‘Let justice roll on like a river…’ (Amos 5:24)

Actions could include:

• Buy Fairtrade as part of your regular grocery shop
• Sign the petition to make bananas fair
• Buy a new Fairtrade product
• Tell others about Fairtrade
• Encourage your church to become a Fairtrade Church
• Pray for blessings on Fairtrade producers and co-operatives
• Check the Fairtrade foundation website

All images are used by permission in accordance with commons copyright license terms: Feature image is a derivative of the images 'Fairtrade Friary 29 02 2012 (16) , (10) and (12)' by British Province of Carmelites and 'Taken in Sainsburys Emersons Green Bristol' and pin add