FEB. 2022
Mama Mzungu Fighting for those affected by albinism PAGE 8
Spring It's here!
2022
PAGE 12
T R A I D C R A F T S H O P. C O . U K
CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2022 2-3
Intro Pages
4-5
Fairtrade Fortnight 2022
6-7
Mama Mzungu
8
ood Fraud: F What's in your honey?
9
Traidcraft Winter Sale
10-11 Your Spring Catalogue is here! 12-13 Product Update 14-15
Traidcraft Exchange Update
16
Chickpea Rissoles Recipe
Chilli & Garlic Beer Bread 68834 (450g) £4.99
We love Meru Herbs!
Lovingly made in Kenya, Meru Herbs cleverly bottle the identity, vitality and taste of the country of origin in every jar – so much so, you’ll almost feel as if you’re there with every mouthful. Take a look at this short video, showing the difference your purchase of Meru Herbs products makes.
Ethical Gift of the Year Shortlisted
Our Garlic and Chilli Beer Bread and been shortlisted for Gift of the Year’s ‘Ethical Gift of the Year’ award! This award recognizes gifts that are fair trade, eco-friendly, or are produced to a high standard of worker welfare. Fingers crossed!
SHOP GARLIC AND CHILLI BEER BREAD
SHOP MERU HERBS VIEW THE SHORTLIST HERE 2
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WELCOME Dear all,
Orange Trading Game
A huge thank you to St. Mary's (Leith) RC Primary School in Edinburgh for inspiring us with these photos. Here, class P6b are playing The Orange Trading Game. The aim of the game is for players to understand some of the pressures facing poor farmers in the developing world; that many factors are completely out of their hands and that it is still possible to be poor even if you work very hard. The game leads naturally on to introducing the concept of fair trade and how this makes a difference to producers. Their teacher, Miss McDonnell, shared this class as her ‘Magical Moment of the Week’ as she saw the fantastic cooperation and teamwork in P6b during the introduction to their Fairtrade topic. Well done everyone! If you’d like to play the game yourselves, why not see how to play and download your free resources, here: www.bep.education/wp-content/ uploads/2018/04/Fairtrade-Simulation.pdf
I hope you’re enjoying our Spring Catalogue, which should now be safely with you; we are loving the vibrancy of the colours in the spring and Easter range, they feel very welcome in what can sometimes be a very grey time of the year. Fairtrade Fortnight this month is always a moment in time to really get under the skin of fair trade and all it represents; from organic farming, to sustainability, to reduction in air miles. Its all-encompassing nature means it can be difficult to navigate a direction of travel, what should be the next priority? Traidcraft is no different and with a new CEO, Matt Oliver, at the helm, there is a new vigour in the quest to challenge how corporates do business and priority setting. We will be running Q&A sessions during March, hosted by myself and Matt, which will be an opportunity to understand Traidcraft’s mission and goals over the next two years. The session will also include a Q&A which will be your opportunity to put direct questions to our CEO and raise points on what is important to you. Keep an eye on your inboxes for more.
Jo
VISIT US ONLINE traidcraftshop.co.uk CONTACT US social@traidcraftshop.co.uk FOLLOW US
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3
Fairtrade Fortnight 2022 21st February until 6th March
During the two weeks of Fairtrade Fortnight 2022, individuals, groups and companies come together to celebrate the people in developing countries who grow our food, but who are often underpaid and exploited. This year’s theme is climate justice. Since Fairtrade Fortnight 2021, the G7 and COP26 have taken place. These conversations are a good start, but there are still frustrations that the wealthiest nations are failing to recognise the urgent need to invest in farmer expertise, by delaying their promised $100bn annual funding to the most climate vulnerable countries until 2023. It’s not good enough.
“Climate justice was never going to be won or lost at one conference in Glasgow. But where the COP26 agreement fell short, we need to increase the pressure for urgent action.” Fairtrade Foundation
Keep your eyes peeled for our exclusive Fairtrade Fortnight competition! More details to follow. 4
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Fairtrade Fortnight 2022 returns from 21st February until 6th March, and will be online again, in the form of a Fairtrade Festival, as the UK continues to slowly open back up to physical events.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us more than ever how interconnected we are globally. This interconnection is at the very heart of the Fairtrade message and is where your role begins. You are part of the Fairtrade movement, and you have the power to drive long-term change, not only with your shopping choices but with your support in spreading the message.” Fairtrade Foundation
CHOOSE THE WORLD YOU WANT FESTIVAL
Great half term activity!
DOWNLOADABLE FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT RESOURCES traidcraftshop.co.uk
5
Mama Mzungu: Fighting for those affected by Albinism in Uganda Across parts of Africa, due to societal ignorance about people with Albinism, many affected experience exclusion, stigmatization and the denial of basic rights such as education and health. Broad ignorance, misbeliefs and superstitions also endanger people with Albinism’s lives. In everyday life, those affected by Albinism, particularly women and children, are frequently treated less than human and are not considered capable of amounting to anything. Through Mama Mzungu, the social enterprise initiative was born. Under the economic empowerment arm of registered NGO, Women and Children with Albinism in Uganda (WACWAU), they have so far been able to create full-time employment for 13 women affected by Albinism in Uganda, who create high-quality, natural, artisan products such as hand and body balms, baskets, bags and lip balms.
With a hunger to show society what they are capable of, Mama Mzungu aims to: - C ultivate sustainable job creation - A id economic empowerment and self-reliance - C hange the image of those affected by Albinism so that they can achieve a level of respect and acceptance they deserve
Mama Mzungu also: - P rint all labels and promotional/point of sale materials on recycled paper - D o not use any plastic packaging - U se recyclable/reusable tins to package their products - M inimise carbon output by using manual sewing machines - H ave a very low waste output; all soap trimmings are converted to guest soaps for the hospitality trade (where possible) or made into liquid soap for local consumption 6
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Peppermint Lip Balm 10894 (10ml) £5
Lemon Lavender Lip Balm 10887 (10ml) £5
Lemon Lavender Shea Butter Hand and Body Balm 10895 (50ml) £11
Natural Raffia Palm Zipped Woven Coin Purse 10899 (11.5 x 16.5 x 1.5cm) Colours vary. £4.95
Lemongrass, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus Shea Butter Hand and Body Balm 10896 (50ml) £11
Geranium Orange Shea Butter Hand and Body Balm 10897 (50ml) £11
COMING SOON
Kitenge Traditional African Fabric Lined Shopping Bags 10900 (38 x 41 x 3cm) £14.50
Natural Raffia Palm Woven Basket 10898 (23 x 17 x 17cm) Designs vary. £31.50 SHOP NOW traidcraftshop.co.uk
7
Food Fraud
What’s in Your Honey?
B A
You may have seen The Guardian’s Bee Aware: Do You Know What is in That Cheap Jar of Honey?, or similar articles discussing ‘food fraud’ in the media over recent months. If you haven’t, see here. READ THE ARTICLE
To summarise, honey is an example of a product that can be subject to what is known as ‘food fraud’. This is most commonly found in honey, wine and olive oil. Food fraud, using honey as an example, is where high-fructose syrup, designed to mimic honey, is added to products. This practice is widely associated with honeys produced in China and are labelled as ‘blend of non-EU honeys’. It also tends to be the cheaper, budget supermarket honeys that are typically affected. This is not a food safety issue, but it is classed as food crime to adulterate food. Our advice is to always check the ingredients and wording on the packaging before purchasing, just to make sure. A T raidcraft Mexican Organic Blossom Set Honey 31100 (500g) £5.85 32704 (6 x 500g) £31.50 B T raidcraft Mexican Organic Blossom Clear Honey 33062 (500g) £5.85 37092 (6 x 500g) £31.50
To put your minds at rest regarding Traidcraft honey production and authenticity, please see the following: Traidcraft branded honeys are produced in Mexico. Traidcraft Mexican honey, both set and clear varieties, are produced by small Fairtrade and Organic co-operatives. Traidcraft partner with colleagues in EFTA to bring our honeys to the you. By working with our partners in EFTA, we can maintain full oversight of the supply chain. Each step in the raw material chain of custody is fully monitored, traceable and may be subject to audit. Traidcraft honey has never, and will never, contain any ingredients which mimic the properties of honey. We are looking to bring in new honey varieties from our EFTA partners to add to our delicious honeys from Mexico - watch this space! SHOP HONEY
8
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FINAL CHANCE TO SHOP OUR
UP TO 70% OFF SHOP ALL SALE
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9
Spring Your
2022
Catalogue is Here!
Have you had chance to flick through our ethical spring edit yet? If not, take a look at a copy online.
READ CATALOGUE
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A delicious, new flavour of our best-selling Organic jam.
Make sure you don’t miss…
High-quality, natural, artisan products such as hand and body balms, baskets, bags and lip balms, from Mama Mzungu (more about them over on page 6).
New additions to our vibrant rainbow range, including hand-felted placemats and coasters, as well as rainbow throws and cushion covers.
TRAIDCRAFT EXCLUSIVE!
Stop the press - we have a Traidcraft exclusive! Oh So Fair drinks are refreshing, Fairtrade and Organic. Which will be your new go-to beverage?
New and exciting spring range made by artisan refugees at MADE51.
Sustainable and stylish fashion and accessories from Earth Squared, Thought Clothing and Pachamama.
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Product Update from Kirsty & Helen Exciting New Launches
This Season
As you’ll have already seen on page 6, we are launching a new range of products from Mama Mzungu, including purses, bags and lip balms. Along with this new supplier, we are excited to let you know about the launch of two new ranges.
TRAIDCRAFT EXCLUSIVE!
MADE51 Oh So Fair Drinks Perfect for spring/summer, these delightfully refreshing, Fairtrade drinks are just what you need in your drinks cabinet this season. Made using a blend of carefully selected, Organic ingredients, these will be a hit when accompanying your lunch, out on a picnic, or relaxing in the garden on a sunny day. Plus, you won’t get these anywhere but Traidcraft! All flavours are now available, except cola which is coming very soon. Watch this space!
When refugees flee, they carry with them traditions, skills, and craftsmanship. MADE51 offers refugee artisans a way to use these assets to earn an income, rebuild their livelihoods and establish independence. The artisans’ intricate work is cited as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, and the ability to continue practicing these traditions while living as a refugee offers not just an income, but a way to build resilience, social cohesion and a sense of belonging. When you invest in a MADE51 product, you take a piece of their story with you, wherever you go.
Price Increases
As mentioned in last month’s Living Fair, you will very shortly see price increases across our range. Brexit impact, COVID pressures, increased raw materials prices and supply issues, as well as recent natural disasters, droughts and severe frosts due to climate change, mean that unfortunately these price increases are unavoidable. Divine chocolate, Cafédirect, Fou Furnishings and many Traidcraft branded products, including coffee, cookies and cereal, will be affected. We imagine that you will be seeing these price increases across all ethical brands you shop with, and can only apologise for the inconvenience and hope that you understand. 12 traidcraftshop.co.uk
Spring
2022
What's on your wishlist?
SHOP EASTER
Thought SeaCell Olive Green T-Shirt £39.95 Size 10 10813 Size 12 10814
Size 14 10815 Size 16 10816
Thought Fairtrade and 100% Organic Cotton Lilac T-Shirt £32.95 Size 10 10825 Size 12 10826
Size 14 10827 Size 16 10828
Thought Bamboo and Organic Cotton Blend Pepita Dashka Slacks £47.95 Small 10837 Medium 10838 Large 10839 XL 10840
SHOP NEW THOUGHT
VE
GAN
DID YOU KNOW?
Both the cello glue and the envelope glue used within our UK-sourced Easter cards range is vegan
SHOP EASTER CARDS traidcraftshop.co.uk
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Join us for Big Brew 2022! Big Brew is back for Fairtrade Fortnight 21st February – 6th March! Hosting a Big Brew is the perfect way to brush off the darkness of winter and start spring with a new lease of life! Bring your community together to fight for justice in trade by sharing and socialising with coffee and cake. The best Big Brews make everyone feel welcome, whether that is friends or family, online or in-person, whichever way suits you and your guests. Over the years our incredible longterm supporters and Big Brew hosts have held fantastic events 14 traidcraftshop.co.uk
and flown the flag for trade justice in their communities, and 2022 will be no exception. It has never been easier to get involved, with a fabulous event guide and plenty of other resources available free to make hosting easy and exciting! Even if hosting is just not possible for you this year, you can still join in as a guest and help raise money to support the vulnerable communities we work with who face the dual crises of COVID-19 and climate change.
Our resource pack holds absolutely everything you need to be a great host. Alongside a detailed event guide there are: beautiful cake flags, a fun game and a quirky quiz, invite and thank you posters and a collection box. Online you will also find additional case study posters and a handy presentation to help your guests learn a little more about our work and the people their donations help. Our resources pack available online: www.traidcraftexchange.org/ bigbrew or in print at: www.traidcraftshop.co.uk/ big-brew-pack-2022
Photo: Traidcraft Exchange/Syed Shoaib Hosen. Rozina Khatun, Bangladesh. Photo: Traidcraft Exchange/ gmb akash
What your Big Brew can do The climate crisis is a serious threat to the livelihoods of many farmers and producers in the Global South. Farming relies on predictable weather patterns to cultivate crops, but where Rozina Khatun lives in Bangladesh, extreme events like cyclones and floods are becoming more frequent. She told us: “We used to earn some money by selling trees. But this time 2 cyclones have destroyed all our trees. Cyclones have washed away all the fish from our pond. They have taken our house, our crops, and destroyed all the fish and roads.” Money raised by your Big Brew will go towards helping people like Rozina Khatun fighting the impacts of climate change. You can find out more about Rozina and the local group which builds resilience in her community in our Big Brew resource pack.
A new law to fight for human rights Last month’s bulletin featured our latest campaign calling for a new law to hold businesses responsible for harms committed in their supply chains. In December, we had a mini launch of the campaign, featuring it as the first action in 2021’s Injustice Advent Calendar (24 days of action to make the world a better place). In January we launched the campaign fully and the reception has been great! As of 27th January over 14,000 people have signed our petition. And that’s not all. We’re running the campaign as part of the Corporate Justice Coalition with different organisations hosting their own petitions. Combining the different petitions, over 50,000 people (correct as of 27th January) have joined our call for a new law. We’d love to have you on board, find out more about the campaign and add your voice at https://traidcraftexchange.org/ business-human-rights-act traidcraftshop.co.uk
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DOWNLOAD PRINT-FRIENDLY VERSION
Chickpea Rissoles Recipe
YOU WILL NEED: 225g dried Fairtrade and Organic chickpeas 1 egg, locally sourced if possible 3 tablespoons chopped parsley (you can use dried)
Fancy trying something a little bit different for
1 tablespoon of yellow or red curry paste
dinner tonight? These delicious chickpea rissoles
A drizzle of olive oil
are sure to get your taste buds tingling!
For the coating:
This recipe makes about eight rissoles, but you
1 egg, beaten, locally sourced if possible
could make them smaller and serve them with a
Bran or panko breadcrumbs
mint and yoghurt dip for a buffet or as a starter.
Salt and pepper to taste HOW TO MAKE: Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover with several inches of cold water. Leave to soak overnight. Drain and rinse. Place the soaked, rinsed chickpeas into a large pan. Add cold water to cover the chickpeas and a place a lid on the pan. Bring to the boil and cook until the chickpeas are softened, approximately 1-1½ hours. Do not allow the pan to boil dry.
20% OFF
Fairtrade and Organic Chickpeas 10341 (500g) £2.59 £2.07
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Drain and reserve some of the cooking liquid. Grind or mash the chickpeas depending on how chunky you want the rissoles to be, but not too chunky or they won’t bind together. Add the remaining iingredients plus salt and pepper to taste, and mix well, check to see if the mixture holds together in your hand when gently squeezed. If the mixture falls apart, add a touch of the cooking liquid. Shape the rissoles into the desired shape and dip each one in beaten egg and then roll in the bran or panko breadcrumbs. Chill until ready to use. Take out of the fridge and bring to room temperature so that the middle will heat up when the rissoles are fried. Heat a generous drizzle of oil in a pan. Fry the rissoles in small batches; this will help to prevent them breaking up or becoming soggy.
