Fairzine; Fair articles from all over the world. Because we care.
Love fashion, wear it fair! Read about the fair fashion shows and see the latest trends !
Interview with Joost :
‘Travelling has changed my way of living...’ Get involved with Fair trade foundation! Make the world a fairer place, starting at your children’s school!
Are you ready for the
kick off of these Fair footballs?
content Introduction ....................................................... 3 Fairtrade at Peru............................................. 4 Fairtrade events ..................................................... 11 1 fashion show 2 wedding Ethical or fashionable?................................... 17 Interview........................................................... 19 Let’s play football......................................................... 22 Child labour.......................................................23 Ben&Jerry’s......................................................27 Fairtrade at school ........................................30
Fairzine The Max Havelaar Foundation is the representative in the Netherlands of the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, an association that fights against the poverty and injustice defending the rights of the producers of the developing regions trough 19 initiatives covering 24 countries. The vision of Fairtrade is a world in which these producers of Asia, Africa and South America can receive a fair price for their products in order to improve their communities’ social, economical and environmental circumstances. It is a business relationship that seeks equity and to connect consumers with disadvantaged producers. This way, the farmers can strength their position in international trade, offering them the possibility to reach benefits that would be unattainable if they worked in an isolated manner. Conceding the Fairtrade label, the Max Havelaar Foundation guarantees that both farmers and retailers have followed the Fairtrade standards, based in decent wages, the right to join trade unions and certify health and safety standards for the workers; and the payment of a minimum price for the buyers. Moreover, it also ensures the respect of the environment and the prohibition of child exploitation and gender inequality In this magazine we are going you more deeply information about all of those terms; what the Max Havelaar Fundation and the FLO do; the products and where you can buy them…and, in short, all that you can imagine about the amazing Fairtrade universe! Thus, through our reports, interviews, columns or news we want not only inform you about Fairtrade in a clear and entertaining way, but also to promote the values of justice, solidarity, equality and respect to the environment that the Max Havelaar Foundation defends. Moreover, buying our magazine you are contributing to the Fairtrade system since all of our incomes are destinated to the organization.
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From the Amazonas...
FairBreak is one of the brands that has received the Fairtrade organization label from de FLO
The cooperative Oro Verde farmers are cultivating Cocoa since 1999, replacing the cultivation of coca
When we buy a product labeled by Fairtrade, we have a vague idea of what this entails. But what does it imply exactly? What are the requirements that the organization demands to concede these labels?
...to your home
We are going to answer to these and other questions explaining with the example of the cooperative Oro Verde, in the north of Peru, the process by which the products goes from the producers fields to our shops
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1 Where everything begins n the region of Alto Sol, in northern Peru, in the midst of the vastness and beauty of the Amazon jungle, the chocolate cooperative Oro Verde is located. For generations hundreds of families have lived there cultivating cocoa. Decades in which they have had to fight to subsist bordering the poverty line, suffering the tyranny of some big local producers who exploited them and succumbing to the dictatorship of the big multinationals, that control about 70% of global chocolate market, which from its dominant position required a purchase price to farmers that often barely covered production costs. Prices that not only didn’t recognize the value of the work performed, but very unlikely allowed workers to live in decent conditions. But this reality has been changing over time through the work done by the Max Havelaar Fundation which, as the character of the book of Eduard Douwes Dekker that gives it its name, tries to fight these injustices defending
the rights of producers in developing countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. 1,5 million people are part of the Fairtrade system nowadays. To do this, the first step is to convince farmers of the benefits of welcome the Fairtrade system. There are two main advantages that the Fairtrade procedures con-
cede to farmers. On one hand, the guaranteed minimum price, which covers the costs that the farmers need to ensure a sustainable production. Is the minimum price that the buyers must pay to the producers. The Fairtrade minimum prices are not determined by bargaining, pressure tactics or international commodity traders.
The prices are fixed in a fair and consistent manner and are reviewed regularly to ensure they continue to meet production costs. When the market price is higher than the Fairtrade minimum, the buyer must pay the high price. In this way, farmers are guaranteed a minimum price independent from market fluctuations.
But in addition to cover these costs of production, the second benefit offered to the farmers is that the Max Havelaar quality label guarantees an agreed Fairtrade premium for community projects, which is invested in plans to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions. They are the plantation workers who
freely and democratically decide how they want to invest the premium. Sometimes it is also used in development plans that allow producers to increase productivity or decrease their dependence on a single crop. These two elements, combined, allow the producers the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. But, at the same time that the Fairtrade system gives producers the opportunity to enjoy certain rights, it also requires taking specific obligations that become indispensable, based in working and environmental conditions. This way, the granting of the Max Havelaar quality label ensures the democratic functioning of the agrarian associations and that its workers receive decent wages, guarantee them the right to join trade unions and certify health and safety standards. Moreover, it also ensures the prohibition of child exploitation and gender inequality. This is the case of the cooperative Oro Verde, which has invested its profits, obtained in recent years thanks to adopt the Fair
Fairzine trade terms, in improvements in health, education and other social projects in the region. For this people, the sale of a few hundreds kilograms of cocoa at a fair price results in the improvement of the quality of life of about 200 families living in this area.
Farmers in the recolection process
The final objective of these criteria is to encourage the establishment of stable commercial relations and mutually beneficial between Fairtrade producers and retailers, eliminating the existence of intermediaries that must increase the prices.
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2 You change the world Once the products are placed on the stands of shops and supermarkets, another great challenge for those responsible for the communication of Max Havelaar begins: to make consumers aware of the Fairtrade label and what it represents, in order to they can decide to opt for its products. Facing the large multinationals, the products sells under the Max Havelaar label is developing, but the sales volume and revenue haven’t stop growing in recent years. But there is still a long way to go. Thus, the Max Havelaar organization is warning consumers of the possible consequences our daily purchases, how their purchases can influence global economic inequalities and the deterioration of the environment. Make people know the violation of rights that can exist behind a cup of coffee, the deforestation that can generate the demand for certain cosmetics. In short, once the product reaches the stores, is our decision what can make things change.
Key terms Fairtrade minimum price Is the minimum price that the buyers must pay to producers to ensure a sustainable production. It is renewed regularly to ensure that continue to cover production costs
Fairtrade premium It is an additional sum of money that, decided freely and democratically by farmers, goes into a communal fund for workers and farmers to use to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions
Fairzine The Fairtrade Foundation
Fairtrade Event;
Charity fashion show The Fairwear Fashion Show is endorsed by the fair-
trade Foundation and the Ethical Fashion Forum. All Fairwear fashion houses use certified Fairtrade cotton or are members of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO). Since the creation of the Fairwear brand, the Fairwear Fashion Show has firmly established itself as an important regular fixture in the UK fashion calendar. And as more and more people become aware of the benefits of Fairtrade, many industry leaders, designers, artists, actors and musicians are also joining the cause to promote change in the fashion industry. The Fairwear Fashion Show 2010 will also feature actress Emma Watson’s new fashion collection that she has created in conjunction with leading fairtrade design brand, People Tree. The collection brings a youthful and inspiring edge to Fairtrade fashion. In Emma Watson words, “I wanted to help People Tree produce a younger range because I was excited by the idea of using fashion as a tool to alleviate poverty and knew it was something I could help make a difference with.”
love fashion, Wear it FAIR!
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Fairtrade designbrand
all clothes are dyed using safe and natural dyes. So that people who buy or wear its production do not need to worry about toxic,synthetic People Tree is leading and non-biodegradfairtrade design brand that able materials. They provides exclus can wear clothes safely ive fashion with clo not worrying about some thes mostly from org problem like skin trouble. anic product and gar ment by farmers in developing countries. It has to meet the Fair Trade principles set out by WFTO(World Fair Trade Cheaper and faster fashion Organisation), and works has pushed prices down with 50 Fair Trade groups and increased pesticide use in 15 countries.This way causing ill-health and death it could bring benefits to amongst farmers. Fairtrade people and the planet at as many steps of the production process as possible – growing cotton, weaving, dyeing, embroidery, stitching etc.-helping alleviate poverty in the world. Not only producing certified organic cotton by Fairtrade,
People Tree
Why Fairtrade cotton?
Fairtrade Fashion shows in 2010 s/s
Wear IT Fair, 08 May 2010
The Certified Cotton FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which acts as a guarantee to consumers that the goods they buy have a direct benefit to the farmer who produced them.
held by Carlisle Fairtrade Group, show took place on Wold Fair trade day, in Carlisle Cathedral .showcased some of the major Fairtrade cotton brands such as People Tree and Bishopston Trading,sold by high street retailers such as Marks and Spencers, Monsoon among others. Charity Fairtrade Fshion Show, 27 may 2010,London fair-trade holds a fashion show to raise funds by People Tree.
Fairtrade Fashion Show and Wine tasting, 27 April 2010
short fashion show with clothing from online and highstreet stores, suitable to all ages
Fair Trade and Up-cycled Fashion Show, 05 march 2010 Fairtrade and Upcycles fashion show features a selection of great clothes and accessories that don’t cost the earth. Fairly traded fashion, as well as clothes that have been upcycled is on show. Upcycling is the use of a little crafty know how to give old clothes a new lease of life.
“I wanted to help People Tree produce a younger range because I was excited by the idea of using fashion as a tool to alleviate poverty and knew it was something I could help make a difference with.” -Emma
Fairzine Say YES to Fairtrade ! International Fair Trade Day
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nternational Fairtrade day takes place annually on the second Saturday of May, with Fairtrade supporters all over the world making celebrations to create awareness to Fairtrade. As part of International Fairtrade day one lucky couple will be getting married with totally unique Fairtrade wedding.
Worldwide 1st Wedding Fair Trade the 8th may 2010 Fair Trade is not only about food and groceries, you can also chose Fair Trade product for a special event. Every bride and groom want the best for the most beautiful day of their life: their wedding. Nowadays, organizing an original and unique event is possible; why not use this event to claim your commitments? That is what Wanda and Caleche chose for their very
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special day. They decided to combine true love and environmental caring with a fair trade wedding. The 8th may 2010 at the restaurant fifteen Amsterdam, all was Fair Trade: the wedding dress, the bouquet, cake, and drinks, wedding night. For the Wedding location, the restaurant Fifteen in Amsterdam was chosen. They served fair trade snacks and beverages, even the bubbles and chocolate fountain were sustainable, and of course, the masterpiece: the wedding cake! During the International FairTrade Day on May 8 in Amsterdam was the first Fairtrade
wedding venue. Robert ten Brink joined the first wedding couple in matrimony. It was a world première. Robert ten Brink the most popular personality, Dutch television star (All you need is Love) was honor to marry the happy couple. He wears Max Havelaar Fairtrade and a warm heart. “Fairtrade is all you need. This shows that getting married with Fairtrade is very special” said Robert ten Brink. The Wedding was hosted by the Fairtrade Foundation Max Havelaar, the organization behind the Fairtrade label in partnership with sustainable partners.
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Havelaar
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Choosing Fairtrade products allowed consumers to give a better life and help small farmers in developing countries. The international Fairtrade mark the Netherlands known as Max Havelaar, focuses on underprivileged farmers in developing countries who desperately need fair trade. Products with the Fairtrade mark are purchased under fair trade conditions for these farmers. A fair price enables them in the future to take ownership and invest in their families and environment. This price may even work on environmental improvement and social progress. The label allows consumers to make a difference and get involved for the future. This individual event has been made possible by the organization Max Havelaar, who work with businesses, civil society organizations and individuals in the Netherlands to improve
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the position of producer ganizations in the South and to help them achieve sustainable improvements for their members and their communities.
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Jessica Joyce designs Fairtrade wedding dress The Fairtrade cotton wedding dress was designed for this special occasion designed by top designers Jessica Joyce. The bride to be says: “ I believe in the principle of Fairtrade and find it really fantastic that we can have the most beautiful day of our life filled entirely fair’, from the dress to the bubbles” And of course the dress is Fairtrade. For the big day Jessica Joyce has designed a one of kind dress for the bride that combines design with the message of Fairtrade. For Jessica Joyce this project was appealing as she is very much inspired by nature in the world and its preservation. Jessica Joyce was happy to be involved as the Fairtrade message is improving the world we have, and maintaining its beauty.
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“We wanted to show that even the best day of your life can fill Fair!” Wanda and Caleche
Honeymoon Next week the couple will be on honeymoon in Kenya and Tanzania with the sustainable Sawadee travel where they will visit a Fairtrade coffee cooperative. Owing to this wedding, people see that buying fair trade product really matters and I hope that this event will inspire people to chose fair trade products” said Peter D’Angremond, director Max Havelaar. Fair trade contact : www.fifteen.nl www.funkytown.nl www.moluxousbeats.nl www.sawadee-travel.com www.jessicajoyce.nl
We Freeke Wanda (35) and Caleche Brandsen (37) are fairly married! On May 8, 2010, the International Day for Fairtrade, we displayed the word yes. The love expert of the Netherlands Robert ten Brink married us at restaurant Fifteen in Amsterdam. Fairtrade and honest love is central in our wedding. We wanted to show that even the best day of your life can fill Fair. The wedding dress, flowers, bubbles, wedding cake and snacks were sustainable. The wedding was amazing thanks to by Fairtrade Foundation Max Havelaar, the organization behind the label for Fairtrade and Metro.
Fairzine Are you ethical or fashionable? Over the past years, we have seen a steady growth in the Fair Trade market. Popular brands easily adapt Fair Trade or ecologic characteristics to increase their sales. Are we really getting more aware about the background of our shoppings, or are we just following trends?
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In 2008 fair trade sales grew by 10 percent in the United States, according tot the survey of JM Krier Fair Trade sales in Europe have been growing at an average 20% per year since 2000, and over the last 5 years, fair trade production has increased with 5% worldwide. These are impressive statistics if you’d realize how many companies suffered from the economic crisis. In the report ‘The next step in the ethical consumer revolution’, developed by the British organization Datamonitor, the researches state that it is expected that Fair Trade will continue double growth in the coming years. The United Kingdom has the biggest Fair Trade market in Europe, with a turnover of almost 524 million euro’s a year. In the Netherlands the turnover is 42.4 million euro a year. Are we really making more ethical decisions? Some may argue that we are just subject to the “Green trend”, and proving Green or Eco- marketing to be succesful. So what’s the secret for this continuing growth in a time of economic recession? As you might know, the aim of Fair Trade is to reduce poverty by offering
producers better terms of trade. However, the reason for the tremendous growth in the fair trade market is for the Western consumer not primarily the worker circumstances, but the environment. Consumers are worrying mostly about global warming and environmental crisises. They are becoming more aware of these issues and the impact of their consumer behaviour. But are you aware of social and environmental issues, or rather aware of the latest trends? The reason that more consumers are buying fair trade products can be explained by the actuality of global warming that is widely covered in the news.
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Also the cooperation of Fair Trade with many companies add up to this development, think of popular brand names like Starbucks, The Body Shop and Cadbury. High quality perceived brands that consumers like to identify with give them a sophisticated status, and is for many people a direct way of expressing their care. But of course, in addition to the need of joining the trend, we’re also starting to become more concious about the background of products we use. At the end of 2008 the Fresh Idea Group (FIG), a PR agency for natural product companies, published a number of trend predictions for 2009. FIG said that “we would show more concern for what our money’s supporting and where our goods originate”. Now looking back at trend development, they were correct. With growing consumer power, many have started public discussion about alledged responsible business. Internet has been a great tool to research, and consumer demands have
Ethical shopping or Fair Fashion? No matter the motivation, let’s make a combination!
The Fair Trade labelling organizations studied people’s thoughts on fair trade, and the results were very positive. More than three quarters of those surveyed believe that companies should pay workers in developing nations fairly, ensure safe working conditions and contribute to community development, and 81 percent said that seeing the Fair Trade label positively affected their perception of a brand. All good reasons for a company to start trading Fair.
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Around the campfire, with people singing mantra’s at the background, stories come loose. Get to know this interesting world traveller and nature lover. An interview with Joost van der Kei.
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Nikolaas is a friend of Joost, and he comes to sit in the small circle. Nikolaas, dressed in a jeans with a shirt and sneakers, makes jokes about Joost’s clothing. “He is the stereo type of a hippie isn’t he? If he could grow his own plants to make his clothes himself he would probably do so!” Joost gives him a soft punch but laughs along with him. When taking a close look, Joost’s clothes are made of a peculiar material. He explains that he usually buys clothes that are made from organic cotton. He finds nature and the environment very important. In his consumption, he only buys food that is ecologically produced and he is a vegeterian. “I think it’s very important to be aware of the environment and in buying stuff I want to make responsible choices”, Joost says. He usually buys products from the brands Zonnatura and also Fair Trade. Joost loves travelling, he has travelled trough Africa, India and South America. He travelled together with Nikolaas trough Africa. Joost’s face looks a bit disturbed after he and Nikolaas shared memories and stories about their trip. “The workers situation I saw in Africa is horrible. Children are working in inhumane circumstances to produce Western chocolate bars. It’s devastating.” Joost sums up brands that he avoids because of these situations. That’s why he thinks Fair Trade is a great company with good ideals.
Joost van de Kei, 34 years old, is sitting in lotus position and has a happy, enlightened expression on his face. He seems very comfortable in this spiritual atmosphere. The fire ceremony today is a twice a year event that he always tries to attend. Joost explains that he likes this ceremony because everyone accepts another for who he or she is and people are very open. “Although I don’t know these people very good, the way we talk and behave to eachother is very intimate and that feels good. It is the life energy that flows.” The first observation of the campground gives a very typical image of tree-hugging-hippies. The people are wearing alternative clothes and they are sitting around the campfire. A couple of them are making music and are singing mantras, which is a range of old Sanskrit words that have a powerful spiritual meaning. Joost is sitting next to them, although he doesn’t sing a long. He rolls a cigarette from his shag and lightens it. Joost grew up in Amsterdam with his parents and 3 years younger brother, and currently lives by himself in Haarlem, where he works several “freelance” jobs, as a gardener, bartender and he does the business administration of a friend’s company.
Nikolaas confesses that he is guilty of eating a Nestlé chocolate bar just this morning. Joost punches him playfully and the two friends are making jokes again. Then, serious again, Joost gets back to the subject. He says that it would be such a good development if everyone would buy Fair Trade products. “Especially choclate, coffee and tea. Children slavery does still exist you know!” He raises his voice when talking about it and it is easily seen that Joost really cares. Later he stands up and comes back with 3 cups of tea. “Fairly produced!” he smiles.
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What do you know about football(s)?
Footballs are traditionally handmade and sewed out of 32 pieces. The pieces are industrial made out of poly vinyl chloride (PVC). Those panels are tailored and glued to the inner material of the ball. One worker can stamp out patches for 300 footballs per day. Those patches are sent to the tailors in the stitching center where they have to stitch them together completely by hand into the finished balls. After that the balls get quality checked and prepared for the shipment. An experienced worker can do around three footballs per day. For each ball they get 56 cent if they are not working in a workshop that is supported by Fair Trade. Those industry wages are below the government’s minimum and the workers often do not have any rights and are sometimes living like slaves. Many of those workers come from families who lost their land and had to go into the city. Often all members of the family have to work. Because of the low wages men, women and children are often working in the same company. Fair Trade balls guarantee the sewers fair wages and better export prices for the Pakistani manufactures and an independent inspection of their work places. Therefore they are working really close together with the producer organization Talon Sports. Furthermore they support union made by women. Another goal of the fair trade project is the production without children and the creation and preservation of
jobs in the city and the villages around Sialkot. The Prices should fit the cost of living and the costs of the production . Furthermore Fair Trade supports local social projects with extra money. It is important, that they improve the life of the people and especially of children who worked in the industry. Otherwise those children will only go to work in other areas. Therefore Fair Trade wants to provide fair wages for their parents and a possibility to go to school for the children. They can provide better prices for the workers because they avoid a lot of intermediate trade which would raise the selling prices in the stores where you can buy the ball. The most known company that supports and provides Fair Trade footballs is Derbystar. A lot of big retailers have those Fair Trade footballs now in their stores. Fair Trade Footballs cost between 19€ and 40€ and are available all around the world.
Sialkot – Capital of Football The unofficial capital of football is Sialkot and is in located Pakistan. Estimated 80% of the world production of footballs is made in Sialkot. Until the 90’s a lot of football are made by children in very bad working conditions. 40% of the Sialkot’s Population is dependent directly or indirectly for their livelihood.
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BE FAIR AGAINST CHILD LABOUR A day in Amir’s life Amir (13) is living in Sialkot Pakistan. He has worked for four years, never visited a school and could not enjoy the life, as a child should do. But a few months ago, his live has dramatically changed. In January a day in Amir’s live was about working, eating and sleeping. “I had to stand up at six to walk to the workshop that I could start to work at eight”, Amir says. There I had to work in a room without windows, together with 50 other children. “We had to come first into one room, where they checked our attendance. If we were late in this attendance room, we got hard punished. Sometimes the supervisor hit us. Sometimes they did not pay us for half a day. Now I can say it was horrible, but before it was normal for me, because it
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was the only thing I knew. You have to work, you have to follow the orders and you may not complain. After that we have to work and put the single pieces of a football together to form one ball. When I am really fast I can do four balls on one day. Then I get about 180 rupies (1.80€) and can buy some food for my family. At eight I can go home and have a meal with my family. It is good to eat, because during our work we only get a cup of rice and a glass of water. After the meal I have to go to bed, because I am very exhausted and have to wake up early on the next day again. Only one day a week we have free time. I can go sometimes to see the other children and we search in the city if we can find a place where we earn some money.”
Fairzine the contact to organizations like Fair Trade, that help us to provide a better life for the children, because it is difficult to find out where children are working and to eliminate those criminal structures in the country. This official statement is not the opinion of organizations that fight against child labor as it does UNICEF or Fair Trade. They say, that the government in a lot of poorer countries does not do sufficient operations to prevent child working in conditions like slavery.
Meets Fair Trade
But the human right organizations are not only facing problems with the government. Often it is not the will of the parents or even the children that they stop working. Because for the parents it is vital, that the children earn money to raise the earnings of the household. And even many children are not protesting against the child labor, because they know it is the only way for them to help their family. In India for example, children founded some unions against child slavery and labor in bad conditions, such as mines. Furthermore they want to get the same payment as adult workers.
How Fair Trade helps Veronika Polster, of Fair Trade Austria tells us that it is difficult and often worse for the children if the government comes and close the workshop and maybe arrest the
This is the destiny of many children “The day of more than 190 million children looks like the day of Amir. They have to work they have no chance to go to school or to get a fair chance to have a better life when they are adults”, says Mohamed Hassan, the representative of the Ministry of work in Pakistan. To prevent children from working in such bad conditions we are searching
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Child workers in textil industry Therefore the corruption rate in governmental offices is too high and the interests of a single person or the whole government are more important than the destiny of some children. Only when the organizations become active and put pressure of the official organs to force them to send police or other officials to the workshops to stop the child labor, which is forbidden by law even in those countries.
Veronika Polster Media representative of Fair Trade Austria wants to stop exploiting child labour.
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people who employed the children, because then they have nothing to do or are going to search a labor in even worse conditions. Here starts the most important work of our company in contact with child labor. For us it is important that the parents of those children earn enough money to be able to survive without the income of the children. Furthermore we have to provide an opportunity for the children to go to school and get an education that they can improve their life later on when they are adults. To give the opportunities, besides of the fair wages for workers, Fair Trade helps to support social projects in the regions, where Fair Trade products are made.
Amir’s life has changed
Parents were desperated
Now my day is a completely different one tells us Amir very happy. I wake up at seven to be at eight in school. There I meet all of my friends and we learn together many different things. In the school breaks we play football or cricket in the yard of our school.
“I could not earn enough money in my work to buy food for my children. So they had to work, there was no other chance for us. Normally school here is expensive too, without the Fair Trade project I could not pay the money for my children even if I get the better wages. But Fair Trade supports a local school project that even allows my daughters to go to school.”
In the afternoon I can go home and see my brother and my sisters. We eat together and in the evening my mother and father come back from their work and we have dinner together. In the evening I can go sometimes to the teahouse where they show sport in the Television. My days are a lot funnier than they have been before I could go to school. Amir’s father told us that he is very happy about the change in his son’s life. He said, that he has to thank Fair Trade a lot and without them he could not see the perspective for a better life for his son.
For Veronika Polster it is important to see the results we can represent here in Pakistan and all over the world. When I see children like Amir with a big improvement in their quality of life, I am even more motivated to work for Fair Trade and want to communicate to the people in our countries to spend one or two Euros more for a good quality to be sure, that no children worked to make this football and the workers earned the money they deserve and not inhuman wages.
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Fairtrade with Partnership;
Ben&Jerry’s Icecream
Now Fairtrade foundation has many partnership with various product company related with food, drink, or chocolate, etc. Amongst those companies there is Ben&Jerry’s which is one of most popular ice cream brand over the Europe. Ben&Jerry’s is well known not only for attractive taste of ice cream, but also its eco-friendly value and vision such as its production are only made from organic ingredients, free range eggs, recycling packaging. Ben&Jerry’s launched the Fairtrade ice cream in 2006 at first time and they has partnership with fairtrade 4 years on, and still now. All product of Ben&Jerry’s has Fair trade mark so that.
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“We’re proud to be involved in a global movement that’s helping to
grow a market for Fairtrade ingredients and products which is why we’ve embarked on a long term partnership with the Fairtrade Foundation”- Ben Cohen(Co-Founder) “Fairtrade is about making sure people get their fair share of the pie. The whole concept of fair-trade goes to the heart of our values and the sense of right and wrong. Nobody wants to buy something that was
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made by exploiting somebody else Jerry Greenfield(Co-Founder)
Fairzine Some of many customers are often cautious to buy Ben&Jerry’s ice cream due to slightly expensive price of product comparing other ice cream brand’s one. However Ben&Jerry’s has to pay Fairtrade premium for eco-friendly and organic ingredients enables farmers to take positive steps towards providing basic needs for their families and communities, such as healthcare, education and safe housing. So simply meaning that customers who buy and enjoy Ben&Jerry’s natually is supporting and helping poor people in developing countries.
What they do for Fairtrade and poor farmers?
Sustainable Farming Farmers who are supported by fairtrade can get Fartrade premium to improve their ‘rain-harvest’ system which recycles rain water eliminating the need for electricity to power the well pump. They also plans to introduce a mulching system, that will prevent soil erosion and act as bio-mass to nourish the soil, so nothing needs to be cut and burned on the farm. Social premiums The farmers in the co-op all agree they would like to see the social premium from Fairtrade invested in middle schools. the school hopes funding will enable more teachers, better standards and offer students access to vital subjects such as engllish and IT. Better Healthcare Hegde(55,retired doctor and gynecologist from Srilanka) wants to see a permanent hospital for the village and install a doctor. “We really need help here. People are suffering day to day because there’s no where for us to go when we are sick” He said.
Fairzine Value of Ben&Jerry’s Caring Dairy since icecream product’s over half of a tub is made up of dairy cream and milk, Ben&Jerry’s cares a lot about where dairy products come from. In the USA, they are working with family farmers, so as to be able to provide them with dairy that’s produced without unnecessarily violating the cow’s welfare by using growth hormones to enhance milk production. Recyling In 2002, Ben&Jerry’s started on an eco-diet; continuously improving plant efficiencies, acting on new technology options and taking advantage of emission offsets. Two years later, their factory in Hellendoorn became the first Dutch factory to convert 100% of its gas and electricity use to 100% renewable energy (wind, sun, biomass or water) to power its manufacturing operations. Ben&Jerry’s pays a premium for this energy, but we think saving the planet is a worthwhile cause. Re-usable packaging The ice cream package of Ben&Jerry’s is unique amongst other frozen product which made from 90% renewable paper stock. Also in the local scoop shops, they’ve switched to 100% corn starch based cold drink cups where possible which are fully compostable in com-
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The Fairtrade Foundation : Get involved ! The Fairtrade Foundation
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he Fairtrade Foundation is the independent non-profit organisation that licenses use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products in the UK in accordance with internationally agreed Fairtrade standards. The Foundation was established in 1992 by many associations such as CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft and the World Development Movement, later joined by the National Federation of Women’s Institutes. Member organisations now also include lots of associations and foundations all around the world. The Foundation is the UK member of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO), which unites 21 labelling initiatives across Europe, Japan, North America, Mexico and Australia/New Zealand as well as networks of producer organisations from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Fairtrade Foundation exists in order to support justice and sustainable development all around the world. With that, they hope that everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and good livelihood and develop their full potential. The Foundation helps poor and disadvantaged people by developing trading partnerships based on equity and transparency and be careful about workers and their rights.
Get involved : Fairtrade at school Register the school of your children for the programme “Fairtrade at school”(The Fairtrade Schools Award is open to primary and secondary schools). Becoming a Fairtrade School is something that young people and adults can do together. To make it more fun, you can link up with other schools in your area and maybe plan some activities together. Conferences, games, meetings : that’s what pupils, teacher and maybe parents would have the chance to do with the Fairtrade programme. The goal is to let everybody knows Fairtrade and contributes to making the world a fairer place. Pupils can have the opportunity to participate and take responsibility for their decisions and be aware of environmental issues. It will also give them the chance to encourage critical thinking, and offer opportunities for challenge and confidence building. Being a part of the Fairtrade Foundation is a great opportunity and involve children in this experience is the best way to help having a better world.