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The Fair Trade Retail Outlet in Hull, UK
Fighting Poverty with Fair Trade.

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Fair Trade:



Fair Trade


Introduction


Fair Trade is about working with people in the poorest nations to enable them to live in dignity and with hope for the future. Fair Trade works by paying reasonable wages for the work that is performed, by respecting the needs of individuals, by committing to long term relationships, and by providing credit where it is needed most.

The Fair Trade movement is the result of thousands of men and women who see the consequences of the imbalance of power between the poorest nations and the richest nations, and feel moved in their hearts to take action to redress this situation.

Fair Trade makes a real difference to the lives of the poorest producers.



Definition of Fair Trade

Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South. Fair Trade Organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade. Fair Trade products are produced and traded in accordance with these principles — wherever possible verified by credible, independent assurance systems.


FINE criteria

The Fair Trade Criteria as defined by FINE are:

  • An alternative approach to conventional international trade. By this is meant working in an alternative way to normal commercial practice, focusing on the relief of poverty of excluded and disadvantaged producers.
  • A real partnership. A close relationship with producers themselves and direct involvement. Regular visits and good communication.
  • Aiming at sustainable development. Long term relationships which give empowerment to the producers and long term viability.
  • Improving livelihoods of disadvantaged producers. Giving preferential treatment to producers that result in actual benefits.
  • Providing better trading conditions. Fair prices, better than average conditions in the workplace and the trading relationship, working towards gender equality.
  • Awareness raising and campaigning. Working at changing attitudes and policies of poor trading practice, highlighting the needs of disadvantaged producers.

Organisations

Because trading relationships are so complex and extend into all aspects of life, then there are many facets to Fair Trade. In Europe, and relating to the activity of One World Hull, the following organisations are significant:

  • The International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT).
  • The Network of European World Shops (NEWS).
  • The Fair Trade Labelling Organisations (FLO).
  • The European Federation for Alternative Trade (EFTA).
  • FINE (FLO, IFAT, NEWS, EFTA)
  • British Association of Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS).

BAFTS is a member of NEWS. The One World Shop, Hull, is a member of BAFTS.

FINE has agreed simple criteria for what constitutes Fair Trade, and BAFTS subscribes to these criteria. BAFTS then assesses Fair Trade importers against the criteria. Once approved by BAFTS, a shop in UK can then purchase product as Fair Trade products from these importers.


Labels

Fair Trade Mark

The Fair Trade Foundation is the UK body that has responsibility for the Fair Trade Mark. The mark looks like this:
Fairtrade Label
and you will find this label on food products (but not yet on craft items). The label can only be used once the sources of products have been validated by the foundation as fair trade. You can get to their website from our links page.

The Fairtrade Label only applies to consumables (with the exception of footballs, greetings cards and roses, all of which may bear the label)

Fair Trade Organisation Label

Fair Trade is a global movement covering a great diversity of cultures and capabilities. As Fair Trade grows it is becoming increasingly important for the movement to speak for itself with a common voice, reflecting a common purpose. Equally it is important to preserve the purity of Fairtrade where possible.

Recognising the issues in here, IFAT has launched the Fair Trade organisation mark.
Fair Trade Organisation Label


Does Fair Trade make any difference?

When I was first married with small children there was often some month left at the end of the money. But we worked hard and gradually we got to where there was some money left at the end of the month.
This is the fair trade difference - the ability to make a difference over time.
Not instant wealth and luxuries like a lottery winner, but raised hopes, the chance to build a community building or a protected spring water outlet. A chance to get out of debt.
The self esteem to believe there is a better future.
And over time better health, education for your children, maybe medicine when it's needed.
Yes. Fair Trade works.
Yes. Everyone can take part.
Everyone who supports fair trade lights a candle in the darkness.

Still not sure?

Read the Grameen Bank story, how one person in Bangladesh started a bank with $27, and is now lending $500,000,000 per year to poor people with a 98% pay back record.


Sources of Fair Trade products in UK

Hand Crafted items

The largest importer of handicrafts is Traidcraft plc. Traidcraft sells via Mail Order, by Voluntary Representatives, and via Shops.
Retail outlets registered with BAFTS import from a diverse range of small groups, family businesses and co-operatives as per the BAFTS Importers Directory.

Beverages

The Fair Trade labelling organisations (owners of the Fairtrade mark) will, on request, validate the working conditions and other aspects of a product source, and if compliant with Fair Trade Criteria they will empower the company to place the Fairtrade Mark on the product. Examples of beverages falling into this category are CafeDirect Coffee, Clipper Tea, Green and Blacks Drinking Chocolate.

Fairtrade Marked products can be obtained from most supermarket chains, and from many of the BAFTS registered retailers including One World Shop, Hull, however, purchases from FAir Trade Shops such as One World Hull are significantly more valuable to the Fair Trade movement as the profits are used to further Fair Trade.

Foodstuffs

As with beverages, Fairtrade labelling applies to foodd, and many food products carry the label, including Green and Blacks chocolate, Traidcraft Geo Bars, Dubble chocolate bars, etc.
Fairtrade labelled Foodstuffs are again available in most supermarket chains, and from many of the BAFTS registered retailers including One World Shop, Hull.

Countries which provide our goods for sale

Craft Products
Argentina Siwok Wooden figures of birds and other animals
Bangladesh Traidcraft Fibre mats
Bangladesh One Village String
Ecuador Just Trade Woollen clothing
Ghana Fiema Glass beads, bangles
Guatemala Just Trade Embroidered bags
India Shared Earth Wooden boxes, puzzles, desk tidies
India Bishopston Bags, toys, dolls, purses, brooches
India Edinburgh Leather purses, wallets
Indonesia Shared Earth Cats
Kenya Traidcraft Bombolulu Crafts
Madagascar Shared Earth Metal Toys
Mexico Just Trade Earrings, bangles, bracelets, Taxco pottery
Nepal Black Yak Clothing: Hats, Scarves, Mittens, Wrist warmers, Tops, Jackets, Coats
Nepal Shukrya Hand made paper
Nepal Hatti Trading Hatti Bags (Suede, Embroidered)
Nigeria Naji's Heritage Thorn bush carvings
Pakistan Fair Deal Footballs
Palestine Hadeel Olive wood carvings
Peru Just Trade Shawls, Jumpers, gloves
Philippines Salay Cards and Paper crafts items
Sri Lanka Lanka Kade Toys, Jigsaws
Tanzania Equal Exchange Soap
Thailand Shared Earth Cards
Thailand Traidcraft Poinsetta Pottery
Food Products
Belize G&B Chocolate
Bolivia Suma/Granovita Quinoa
Bolivia Suma Brazil Nuts
Bolivia Traidcraft Cocoa in Chocolate
Brazil Equal Exchange Oil
Brazil Suma Black Beans, soya
Burkina Faso Tropical Wholefoods Mango
Chile Traidcraft Honey
Chile Suma Aduki Beans
Costa Rica Traidcraft Sugar in Chocolate Hazelnut spread, and in chocolate
Cuba Fruit Passion Orange juice, oranges
Dominican Republic Traidcraft Cocoa in Praline and Cappucino Chocolate
El Salvador Equal Exchange Cashew Nut Butter
India Clipper Green Tea
India Traidcraft Cashew Nuts
Malawi Traidcraft Sugar (in Chutney, Fair Break Bars)
Mauritius Craft Aid Sugar
Mexico Traidcraft Honey
Mexico Cafe Direct Palenque Gourmet Ground Coffee
Nicaragua Percol Coffee
Pakistan Traidcraft Dried Apricots, Walnuts
Paraguay Traidcraft Sugar in Jam
Peru Cafe Direct Macchu Picchu Ground Coffee
Philippines Traidcraft Plantain chips
South Africa Fruit Passion Fruit Juice
South Africa Equal Exchange Rooibos Tea
Swaziland Swazi Kitchen Chutneys, Pickles, Jams, Marmalades
Tanzania Cafe Direct Tea in Teadirect, Instant coffee, Kilimanjaro ground coffee
Tunisia Suma Dried Dates
Uganda Tropical Wholefoods Papapya, Pineapple, Bogoya Bananas
Uganda Equal Exchange Gumutindo - Coffee
Uganda Cafe direct Kagera, coffee
Wales One One Water
Zambia Tropical Forest Honey

HELPING FAIR TRADE PARTNERS

WEFT and the Hull One World Shop have a couple of schemes in operation by which you can help Fair Trade to grow.
Please click WEFT Finance for details. Thank you.


Hull One World Shop Logo

The Fair Trade Retail Outlet in Hull, UK
Fighting Poverty with Fair Trade.