This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight is asking people to close the door on the exploitation facing people who produce the things that we eat, drink and wear.
‘Come on in’ is the national campaign that will run from 26 February until 11 March, which challenges people to open their doors to Fairtrade products.
The campaign will also explore how businesses, farmers, workers and shoppers come together through Fairtrade to change this.
Thousands of events will take place including breakfasts, breaks, bake-offs and more as people ‘come on in’ and find out more about Fairtrade.
Marcial Quintero, a member of Coobana, a Fairtrade banana co-operative in Panama, said: “Before joining Fairtrade we didn’t see any benefits, development or profit. The price we used to receive per box wasn’t enough to cover our costs – and for 17 years the price didn’t change. Since starting with Fairtrade it’s made a mega-revolution in our lives.”
Adam Gardner, communities campaigns manager at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “It’s a scandalous reality that millions of farmers and workers are being ripped off despite working hard to provide the products we love. Unfairness in global trade is rooted in centuries of exploitation. Yet across the globe, millions of hard-working producers like Marcial are unravelling this legacy.
“They’re fighting for a fair deal, supported by Fairtrade, earning their way out of poverty and transforming their communities.
“More people choosing, sharing and shouting about Fairtrade in the UK during Fairtrade Fortnight will open doors for more producers like Marcial to break the stranglehold of poverty prices.”
Related: How your organisation can market Fairtrade Fortnight
According to the Foundation, Fairtrade is the most widely recognised ethical label in the world and one that has paved a more conscious way of shopping since it started more than 22 years ago. It currently works with 1.6 million farmers and workers across 74 developing countries, providing a safety net against volatile market prices and giving communities access to the Fairtrade Premium – often the only resource to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions.
Last year’s campaign saw more than 5,000 events held in communities, schools, workplaces and places of worship across the UK. This year, hundreds of thousands of supporters will join forces to shine a light on the challenges faced by farmers. There will also be exciting new products launched, offers and competitions from hundreds of Fairtrade companies, retailers and other places to visit.
Find out more: www.fairtrade.org.uk/fortnight
