Bulletin
FA I R T R A D E LOCKDOWN ACTIVITIES
70% OFF SALE
NEW NABLUS SOAPS
T R A I D C R A F T S H O P. C O . U K
JAN 2020
in this issue...
2-3
INTRO PAGES
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YOUR ACTIVITIES DURING LOCKDOWN
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UP TO 70% OFF SALE
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TRAIDCRAFT'S PRAYER FOR 2021
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NEW NABLUS SOAP
9 DPD VOTED BEST COURIER 10-13 TRAIDCRAFT EXCHANGE UPDATE 14 VICTORIA SPONGE RECIPE
Traidcraft’s Letter of the Month! Dear Traidcraft staff, My friend was unpacking her latest order which I had delivered to her, when she noticed her cat had slipped into one of the bags and was sound asleep. I thought you would like to see the photo so have attached it for you. Regards, 2
Julia Parsons
traidcraftshop.co.uk
Sweets Price Increase From 20th January, the price of our sweets will increase slightly, so in true transparent form, we wanted to explain why this is. We have recently changed the packaging for all our sweets to be compostable. This new packaging is heavier than the plastic we used previously and the manufacturing process is more expensive. For their initial launch, we kept our pricing the same to celebrate the sweets finally being back. However, going into 2021, we are incurring additional raw ingredient and manufacturing cost increases, as well as the aforementioned increase for packaging costs, therefore we have had to up the RRP slightly.
Sugar Despite many obstacles, including a global pandemic, our Fairtrade sugar from Mauritius is finally in the building. Here it is getting delivered, with Matt helping to unload it from the lorry. We know you’re as excited as we are!
SHOP SUGAR
Traidcraft: Behind the Scenes Just in case you were worried it was all work and no play back here at Traidcraft HQ… here’s our lovely Curtis, who packed your orders in the lead up to Christmas, raised money for Save the Children and made us all smile at the same time.
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Nil desperandum folks – we are thinking of you if that is any consolation!
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Rachel and Howard”
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“Thank you so much for all you are doing, V EweA N G O Rit is for I appreciate how difficult you with sheer GAN T volume, social distancing etc etc and are only N RE D N I sorry that we cannot come up to help which we would have been delighted to do – although it would probably have taken until at least Easter to train us! V
At the dawn of a New Year, we wanted to say a massive thank you for all the efforts RY communities during you made to serve Iyour DA the last two months. In the six weeks before Christmas, I carried out 15 virtual roadshows from Scotland to Devon F R E E and from Cambridge EG to It was tremendous fun to see E TSwansea. AR so many of our customers, all be it virtually. Highlight was being invited to hold a roadshow to a group of MPs and parliamentary workers and to hear of around half a dozen events that Fairtraders carried out for themselves.
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V Eto G Asay 2020 was a hecticO year for Traidcraft I RGAN with an extremely stretched team T the least, RE DIN N and challenges nobody could have foreseen. However, it’s receiving well-wishes from our wonderful customers, like this, that keep us going in our most stressful times. Thanks Rachel and Howard!
Friends,
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Based on the feedback I will be holding a new set of roadshows called ‘Live Fair for Lent’. The aim will be to show your customers the difference being a caring consumer can make to the lives of producers across the world. I would like to host 40 roadshows during the 40 days of lent (17th Feb – 1st April). I will give details of how to sign up in the February Bulletin and during our Fairtrader Virtual Roadshows. December saw the final piece of the arrival of the piece jigsaw in terms of reconnecting our supply chains from the dark days of Christmas 2018. Just before the big day we took delivery of 26 pallets of sugar. After nearly two years, it is amazing to have a regular source of sugar guaranteed. To celebrate we have included a recipe for a delicious Victoria Sponge (page 14) which uses our caster sugar. Enjoy the sale and happy fair trading. Matt
London Tea Update Did you know that all of London Tea’s teabags are now completely plastic-free? SHOP LONDON TEA
Traidcraft Spring Roadshow Sign Up: Tuesday 2nd, Wednesday 3rd or Thursday 4th February 19:00 – 20:45 Saturday 6th February 10:30 – 12:00
SIGN UP
SIGN UP
YOUR ACTIVITIES DURING LOCKDOWN Thank you for all of your wonderful messages letting us know how successfully your virtual Christmas events went this year – we’ve loved seeing how you got on and suspect there may be more events like this to come! We’ve also been so pleased to hear that some of you were lucky enough to be able to host socially distanced Christmas stalls. Here are just some of the many inspirational events which took place up and down the country. A huge well done to everyone and thank you as always for your unrivalled support. Judy Bellingham's Traidcraft stall at the Whitchurch Market Hall's Christmas Craft Fair
Dilys Corlett - One of 50 stalls, over two floors in an indoor market in Sindlesham Court, Berkshire
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Lyndsey Wright's stall full of Fairtrade goodies, in Trowbridge Anne Litherland made up her own selection packs of Fairtrade goodies
Karen Downard's Garden Stall Karena Jarvie's stall at the Festive Market in Kinross
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Our Winter Sale is Now On! GRAB A BARGAIN, WHILE STOCKS LAST…
UP TO
70% OFF WHILE STOCKS LAST
TRAIDCRA F TS H O P.CO.UK/ S ALE Selling our favourite fair trade goodies at discounted prices helps us to make room in our warehouse for new spring/summer products.
SHOP OUR SALE
Please note that everyone throughout the supply chain has been paid in full – these discounts are, as always, completely on us.
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DOWNLOAD PRINT-FRIENDLY VERSION
TRAIDCRAFT PRAYER FOR 2021 Lord God, loving Father. We begin this year by thanking you for your grace and for your peace, which have given us the strength to endure and the determination to continue. We remember workers in fields far away, whose toil provides us with the tea, coffee and sweet treats we sell. We pray that this year their harvest will be bountiful. We remember the producers of our craft products effected by the ravages of Covid-19 and ask for your protection for their health, as well as their livelihoods. We remember the work of our sister charity, Traidcraft Exchange, and ask that you bless them in their mission to champion the rights of workers in most need. We thank you for the thousands of Fairtraders and retailers across the UK who champion our work and sell our products. We thank you for the team at Traidcraft and ask for your continued blessing on their vision for a revitalised Traidcraft. In your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.
traidcraftshop.co.uk
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New in!
NABLUS SOAPS If you like a traditional bar of soap, you’ll love these 100% natural, chemical-free soaps we now have in stock.
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100% natural
100% biodegradable
Environmentally friendly
Sourced from the Nablus Soap Company in Palestine, with an impressive 400-year soap producing history to their name, you can rest assured that these guys know what they’re doing when it comes to producing the very best soaps.
Respects the natural balance of the skin
Supports the self-healing ability of the skin
Never tested on animals
No artificial flavouring, colourings or preservatives
No synthetic ingredients
No foaming agents
The natural, botanical ingredients within these soaps, including the world-renowned Palestinian olive oil, nourish and moisturise skin, whilst supporting its natural balance.
Suitable for daily use
traidcraftshop.co.uk
Available in natural, lemon and pomegranate. SHOP NABLUS SOAPS
DPD Come Out on Top! For any of your orders which exceed 2kg, DPD are our courier of choice. Apart from their flexible, user-friendly service for both shippers and shoppers, we choose to work with DPD as their green policies are very much aligned with our own. If you’re interested, there’s more on that over on our blog. It looks like we’re not the only ones who love DPD… they’ve recently topped the charts in a recent survey conducted by Which? Regarding best and worst delivery companies. DPD came in first place when it came to ‘delivery time slots’ and ‘communication with the courier’, and a very respectable third place for ‘where the parcel was left’. Delivery companies like DPD have kept many of us going through the pandemic, dropping off supplies to our doorsteps and keeping us safe. We’re thrilled they’ve been recognised here – well done and thank you DPD! SEE THE RESULTS HERE
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Big Brew News!
BIG
Brew
Easter
Firstly, Happy New Year! We hope you and your loved ones are safe and well and enjoyed the festive season. As Bulletin readers, we wanted to share with you some news about our Big Brew events in 2021. This year, we are going to do things a little differently, and we really hope you’ll be as excited by our plans as we are! Instead of our usual Fairtrade Fortnight events, we are asking amazing supporters like you to delay holding your Big Brews until the 8th March – 7th June... because thanks to the UK Government’s UK Aid Match scheme, by waiting those few weeks, your donations will change twice as many lives. As part of the appeal, we are going to celebrate with a ‘new’ event – the Big Brew – Easter! We’ll be sending special Easter packs out a little later than usual – so keep an eye on the post, or drop us an email at fundraising@traidcraft.org if you want to ensure you are on the mailing list! Don’t worry if your events are on a fixed schedule though – we've got digital versions of our usual Fairtrade Fortnight packs which you can download from our website www.traidcraftexchange.org/bigbrew
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Get your Big Brew Easter Pack GET YOUR PACK
Changing trade and changing lives in challenging times:
watch our recent webinar event and learn about our future plans
Traidcraft Exchange is facing many challenges – between the big picture issues, like climate justice and the impact of Brexit trade deals on developing countries, and the economic difficulties of a reduced aid budget, recession and the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, we know the next few years won’t be easy. We know that as a Traidcraft Exchange supporter, you're passionate about building a future free from exploitation, where everyone can benefit from trade - so we thought you might be keen to learn a little more about what we have planned! As institutional funding becomes increasingly difficult to secure, we need to adapt and change to meet these new challenges and ensure that our work remains relevant, life changing and effective for those who matter most – the vulnerable communities overseas we exist to serve.
Traidcraft Exchange Raffle 2021... Not long to go until some lucky winners start the New Year with some amazing prizes! From bespoke art by British artist Cherrie Mansfield, to vouchers for a luxury glamping experience, and some lovely hampers from our friends at Traidcraft plc, you don’t want to miss the chance to win... Whether you’re buying tickets for yourself, or selling them at an event over the next few months, we hope you get involved. We’d be really grateful for any promotion you can do in your community and to your friends and family, thank you! Every ticket bought really does make the world of difference to families in some of the world’s poorest communities. Don’t worry if you’ve not yet got your tickets – there are still some available on our website. GET TICKETS
Recently, our CEO, Charlotte Timpson, spoke about these challenges and the future for Traidcraft Exchange at an inspiring Webinar event. If you didn't manage to make it, you can find it here: WATCH NOW
We hope you find it an inspiring watch! traidcraftshop.co.uk
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Christmas Appeal thanks! A massive thank you to all who supported Traidcraft Exchange’s Christmas appeal last year. We can’t thank you enough. Over 2,500 of you donated, and your kindness and generosity will help stop families from being forced back into slavery due to debt bondage. For people like Anjoli and her family (pictured here), your donations are helping them to survive these difficult times, and get back on their feet.
Photo credit GMB Akash/ Traidcraft Exchange 12 traidcraftshop.co.uk
Seven easy ways to build a greener, fairer world in 2021!
1. Switch to Green Energy!
5. Give up fast fashion.
Fossil fuels are one of the biggest polluters on the planet. Did you know that the UK Government provides over £10.5 billion a year in subsidies for the fossil fuel industry? Traidcraft Exchange is campaigning to change this – check out our website for details!
It’s an obvious one, but fast fashion hurts people and the planet – it’s not good for anyone. Try secondhand shopping, or choose an ethical, Fairtrade brand. You can learn more about Traidcraft Exchange’s work with people in the textile industry on our campaigns page – www. traidcraftexchange.org/campaigns
2. Reduce, reuse, recycle... Ok, technically that’s three, but you know the drill! We need to consume less, use what we have, and make sure we recycle all we can. 3. Consume consciously. You don’t have to go vegan to reduce your impact on the planet. In fact, eating imported avocados or consuming mass-produced almond milk can be just as problematic as eating locally sourced fish or cheese. Think about where your food comes from – how did it get here? Is it seasonal? Consider switching to organic produce where you can – the impact on soil quality is much reduced in organic farming and avoids harmful pesticides. 4. Re –green your garden! From planting wild grasses and bee friendly flowers, to building hedgehog homes and keeping the grass long, there are small steps you can take to help out your local environment.
6. Consider a walking holiday, or take up cycling. After a year of going nowhere, it’s tempting to browse the internet for some cheap flights... but why give up our new habits of slow travel? You could join us on our 2021 Camino trek if you fancied a challenge - The Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage Trek — Traidcraft Exchange 7. Take action! With social distancing still in place, now is maybe not the time to take to the streets. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take action – you can still join zoom and webinars meetings demanding change, sign online petitions, and call for change by petitioning your MP. Because change won’t happen on an individual level – we have to demand a whole new world!
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Fair Trade Victoria Sponge Recipe To celebrate our sugar being back in stock, we thought we’d share our favourite fair trade Victoria Sponge recipe, which uses our caster sugar. Named after Queen Victoria, as she notoriously enjoyed a slice with her afternoon tea, this cake is the ultimate crowd pleaser. Well, if it’s good enough for a queen, it’s good enough for us… What you’ll need for the sponge: 3 medium eggs, locally sourced if possible 175g unsalted butter, softened 175g Traidcraft caster sugar ¾ tsp vanilla extract 175g self-raising flour 1 tbsp warm water For the filling: 6 tbsp strawberry jam 150ml double or whipping cream, well chilled (optional) Icing sugar, for dusting How to make: 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Grease and line two 20.5cm round, deep sandwich cake tins with butter and baking paper. 2. Soften the butter into a large mixing bowl and beat well with
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Celebrate our sugar’s return!
SHOP CASTER SUGAR
a wooden spoon until creamy. Gradually beat in the sugar a couple of tablespoons at a time. Beat well for a minute or until the mixture looks very light and fluffy. 3. Break eggs into a small jug, add the ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract and beat with a fork just until the eggs are broken up. Gradually add to the butter mixture a tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition. 4. Sift the flour onto the mixture and gently fold it in with a metal spoon. After two or three movements, add the warm water. Keep folding in until the flour is well mixed. 5. Divide the mixture between the two prepared tins and spread evenly.
6. Bake for 20–25 minutes until both sponges are a light golden brown, and starting to shrink back from the sides of the tin. Check that the sponge springs back when lightly pressed in the middle. 7. When cooked, carefully turn out the cakes onto a wire rack. Leave until they are completely cooled. 8. Now to assemble your cake - set one sponge crust-side down on a serving plate. Using the back of a tablespoon, evenly spread the sponge with the six tablespoons of strawberry jam. 9. If you choose to use cream, pour into a chilled bowl and whip with a chilled whisk or attachment until it thickens and soft peaks form when you lift out the whisk. Spoon the cream onto the cake and then gently smooth it evenly over the jam. Top with the second sponge, crust-side up, and dust with icing sugar.
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