Bulletin
B L A C K F R I D AY BOYCOT T
SOUTH AFRICA DIARY
ECO-GIFT GUIDE
T R A I D C R A F T S H O P. C O . U K
DEC 2019
Welcome
Dear Friends, It’s Christmas! (well, nearly)… What a season we are experiencing! Since the Christmaswrapped catalogue hit doormats in early November, it has been all hands to the pumps here at HQ. Our new IT system has enabled the team to pick, pack and dispatch 10,732 parcels in November alone! While the Sales Support Team have seen the volume of calls nearly double in the same period. A monumental effort for a team only a third of the size of last years. While not strategising for 2020, the rest of the sales and marketing team and I have been doing our bit picking in the warehouse and packing some of this year’s wonderful hampers. While the product team have been putting the finishing touches to the spring product selections. The increased volume of sales has meant that some products have sold out quicker than anticipated. While I know this can be frustrating for those running stalls, I wanted to stress that this is a good thing. In previous years, we may have been left with surplus stock that
Did you know... we are being featured in this year’s Fairtrade Advent Calendar! This advent, the Fairtrade Foundation has 24 very special doors for you to open in the run up to Christmas.
would have to be shifted in end of season sales and
Christmas is a time for giving, and whilst
sometimes at a loss. This year, as we continue our
the ethical movement continues to gain
revival, we have had to budget carefully so selling out
momentum, it’s the perfect time for us
only strengthens our recovery. And gives us more
to think more deeply about our products
confidence to increase our offering in future seasons.
and where they come from. Around the
This year as I raise a glass to give thanks for the year that has passed and the gift that God gave us that first Christmas, I will also be saying thank you for all of you and the amazing efforts you have gone to this year to help us in our mission. Well done. 2019 may have been about recovery, but 2020 will all be about setting the course for a bright new future. Peace and prayers to you and yours and as ever…
Happy fair trading, Matt 2
Fairtrade 2019 Advent Calendar
world farmers and workers work extremely hard to produce some of the things we love to eat, drink and wear. Every day of advent, this advent calendar reveals a unique view on one of these communities and even offers prize giveaways! Keep an eye out for Traidcraft’s special mention. Join in here...
FAIRTRADE ADVENT CALENDAR >
Traidcraft Behind the Scenes We are so thankful for your orders and want you to know the whole company, especially the warehouse team, are working longer and harder to get all orders despatched safely and winging their way to you. Here are a few shots from Traidcraft HQ to give you an idea of exactly what’s going on behind the scenes!
Robin, Lesley and Sam putting the Traidcraft Tree up.
Our Board Chairman, Ram Gidoomal, travelled all the way from London to Newcastle, to pack extra Christmas hampers in order to meet demands. Thanks Ram!
Guy sorting the air-filled pillows which protect your orders once they are with Royal Mail or DPD.
Matt helping out with hamper packing and keeping wrapped up warm in the chilly warehouse. 3
h g u i b r # y u t t b c h e s # g j i es b r l o y y # u u b # Post - Black Friday Update from Traidcraft f k c a y l s b a t d c es i l e r j y f e u r k t t b c # c c # a e e j j e bl b r # #o At Traidcraft, we believe that the key to buying less, is buying right… investing in what is good, rather than chasing what is cheap. This is why this Black Friday, we have actively rejected and objected to the mindless feeding frenzy of ridiculous discounts and sales.
Instead of slashing prices, encouraging our customers to buy more ‘stuff’ than they really need, we broke all the conventional rules, downing tools and heading out into our local community to address the injustices that we saw. Many of you tuned into our live cam on the day, but for those who may have missed it - here’s a little update of how we got on! 4
Team CATHEDRAL:
Headed to Newcastle Cathedral armed with tea, coffee, juice, biscuits, hats and gloves, as well as essential toiletries bundles up into jute bags for the less fortunate in our area. Along with staff, family and friends’ donations, we were overwhelmed by the generosity of all of you! Your generous donations meant that we could fill over 100 bags and hand them out to the less fortunate this Black Friday! Here we are at Traidcraft HQ, sorting through your generous donations and making up the male/ female bags which were extremely well received. We even had enough toiletries and biscuits left over to donate to Shelter, for them to distribute amongst our local community well into the new year.
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2. Steven and Sarah upcycling a broken pallet from the warehouse, to create a herb rack for all of the staff at our Gateshead HQ to use!
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3.
Team GARDEN:
Team CLEAN:
Addressed environmental injustice at our HQ in Gateshead by tidying our vastly overgrown garden area. Luckily, the weather in the North East was on our side on Black Friday, as the sun shone over all of us working in the garden, all day!
Took to our own offices and gave them a thorough clean and restructure, addressing our own environment in create a positive working environment which reflects our culture. The warehouse which stores all of your favourites Fairtrade goodies was scrubbed from top to bottom, and many of our offices and communal spaces were tidied, cleaned and even repainted.
The garden team spent most of the day levelling the garden to create a good base for plans going forward; we were able to sieve out most of the rubble from the soil and get some filtered top soil which we have kept to use in the garden, once it reaches more of a finished state. We also upcycled a broken pallet from the warehouse and a damaged mail sack, and transformed them into a herb rack for the garden for all staff to use.
We are also working on creating a ‘safe space’ within our HQ, where any member of staff can go to have a quiet five minutes, to ensure that they are looking after their own mental wellbeing, amidst the stresses and strains of working life.
The idea for the future of the garden is to create a space where all members of the team can sit outside during warmer months, have lunch together and socialise. We will be adding extra picnic benches, raised beds for vegetables and even planting our very own mini orchard – starting with the three apple trees from our 40th anniversary service. The pebbles from our 40th anniversary service, with well wishes for Traidcraft written on, will also be featuring in the finished garden. We look forward to sharing our before and after pictures with you!
We hope you enjoyed hearing all about our Black Friday boycott and that it perhaps made you consider rethinking your own buying habits on such days of mass consumerism! OUR BLACK FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO > 7
Over to you...
As you know, we are all hands to the deck here at Traidcraft HQ, which makes it especially rewarding to read some of the feedback we’ve been sent this month! This season in particular, we’ve been sent some fantastic pictures and heart-warming words some from as far away as the other side of the world! We’d like to thank each and every one of you for getting in touch; you’ve certainly put smiles on our faces during our busiest period yet!
Derek Malin Julia in our Sales Support Team had an interesting conversation with long-serving Fairtrader, Derek Malin, recently. He was explaining that 1979 was an eventful year for him too, as not only did he start getting involved Traidcraft, but he also got married in this year and therefore just celebrated his ruby wedding. As a ruby wedding anniversary present for his wife, he bought her a Traidcraft anniversary apron. She didn’t see the funny side, until he also presented her a ruby ring...
Elaine Willmore
This impressive stall was created by Elaine Willmore of St. Aidan’s Church, Morpeth. We’re loving your wonderful Christmas selection of cards and happy to spy our best-selling biscuits in the centre, too. Elaine tells us that her card stand is 20 years old and still going strong – amazing!
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Jan Gordon
We love Jan Gordon’s idea of wrapping Divine’s seasonal goods in cellophane, adding a ribbon and a matching tag. We hope they went down a treat with your customers!
was so ghastly. I put in an order for Christmas presents and was excited to unpack the box when it arrived. Somehow the distribution system wasn't quite as efficient as it is today and lo and behold a second box arrived a few days later! What was I to do with two of everything? So I took it into work and within two days everything was sold!
Janet Way I read in the bulletin that you would like photos of our Christmas Sales so here is one of the pop-up shops I am in the middle of holding at the moment. I usually have an 'At Home' each year before Christmas, but this year our lovely sewing lady offered for me to hold a shop in her premises just on the corner of our road. It has been mutually beneficial with sales to some of her customers coming to collect things or discuss work and I cover her when she has popped out. I put together Fair Trade Christmas Pudding Packs with a recipe and have a bowl for people to stir and wish (even though it is a bit early for Stir-up Sunday!) and this is always very popular. My first pack went to a young Mum who was going to use it with her 11 year old son, which I thought was lovely. I have been a Traidcraft Rep for 39 years so feel I have been celebrating with you this year, holding a birthday coffee morning in a nearby village Methodist Church where I have a monthly stall. My beginning as a rep is quite amusing. We were introduced to the 'catalogue' through buying Campaign Coffee which we tolerated, even though it
So that began my journey with Traidcraft. I only really sold things at work but then it fitted in very well with the time when my daughter was little and I took her along to the sales I held, becoming the area rep and supplying other reps on a sale or return basis and becoming a Registered Speaker. Over the years my involvement has fluctuated depending on the demands of work but since moving to Mere on retirement I have built up a number of regular venues and groups and offer workshops and assemblies to local schools particularly in Fair Trade Fortnight and One World Week. I will pack up the boxes and go wherever anyone asks for a talk, stall or Church Service! With best wishes and as with so many others, how thankful I am that Traidcraft is still here - what a hole in my life it would have created without it! With best wishes, Janet Way (previously Janet MacManus)
Katherine Naylor A big thank you to Katherine Naylor for sending us these pictures! The delicious cake was made by Katherine’s daughter, Fiona Hulatt, for their Fairtrade Coffee Morning. 9
Pixie Paris Rowe Dear Traidcraft friends, I moved to New Zealand 16 months ago. What do I miss about the UK?! My three children who live there, five grandchildren, and Traidcraft. I love your outrageous plans for ‘Black Friday’. (It is an absurd habit of, I am sorry to say, the Americans, and the U.K. swallowed it hook, line and dollar). I love the new Christmas catalogue, it is the best ever. Your selection, your prices, your design and layout, your choice of printer, everything. Oh sigh! I so wish I had free postage for a huge order to New Zealand!
I love the new Christmas catalogue, it is the best ever. Your selection, your prices, your design and layout, your choice of printer, everything.
Lynn Herron A note and some wonderful pictures from Lynn Herron of Fairtrade at St. Andrews: “Scenes from our very successful Christmas Bazaar on Sunday. This event is short but it’s always fun and we really appreciated the interest and enthusiasm of the St Andrew’s congregation. Also due to a huge effort by our volunteers, the hall filling display was not only set up by 11.15 (starting at 08.00) but we’d tidied it all away and as if nothing had happened in time for the Tea Dance in the hall in the afternoon!”
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But instead I shall continue to pray for you all, and the huge impact you have and are and will be making. I am so proud of having been associated with you for over half of your 40 years. And I carry on, linked with Trade Aid in NZ, and promoting trade justice and sustainability through our Cathedral Shop here in Wellington. Please know you are doing a WONDERFUL JOB, and the UK needs you now more than ever. Keep being radical, profound, intelligent, truthful, vibrant and life and world changing. Have a fantastic season, Pixie Paris Rowe (Former retailer, key contact and Fairtrader)
School
Corpus Christi PS’s Fairtrade Committee ‘Resources’ group are learning to be confident individuals as well as developing skills for work (through Developing Young Workforce Glasgow) through ordering Fairtrade coffee and cake for parent events from Traidcraft. We hope you and your parents enjoyed your Fairtrade goodies!
St. Laurence’s Medieval Bazaar
The Parish Church of St. Lawrence in Ludlow shared these lovely photos of their Traidcraft stall in partnership with Ludlow Mascall Centre. What a wonderful backdrop of their St. Laurence’s Medieval Bazaar.
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Illustration by Joel Pett. First published in the Lexington Herald.
Climate Change
The global economy today is almost five times the size it was 50 years ago, and in that time an estimated 60% of the world’s ecosystems have been degraded. In 2015-2016, 30% of the Earth’s land area experienced drought, 14% of which was severe drought. Over the last two decades alone, the Earth has lost one tenth of its global wilderness area (3.3 million km2). Current rates of extinction are about 1,000 times the background rate of extinction. And so it goes on... 12
:
Should we give up and just go with the flow? Reading the scientific reports on climate change can make for some desperately depressing reading. In 2007, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), some of whose research is quoted above, and Al Gore Jr “….for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change.” We face the very inconvenient truth, as Al Gore titled his book on the subject, that we know enough about climate change that we can still do something about it, but we still seem to find it easier not to. This year, the world’s emissions of global greenhouse gases rose again, and in 2015
(the latest figures), it was estimated that 6.5% of global GDP (gross domestic product) was actually still being spent by governments on subsidising fossil fuel extraction and sale. So, when the overwhelming evidence suggests that our actions and activities are ineffective, would it not just be better to give up and just go with the flow? I can imagine the same comments being thrown around 40 years ago when the first fair trade pioneers were trying to explain that trade injustice could be challenged. “Why bother?”, “Who’s going to listen?”, “What a pitiful waste of time!” Fortunately, enough visionaries didn’t have the time or the energy to be discouraged by such opinions and they simply got on with building a better world anyway. By the time you read this, we will have had our Black Friday boycott and I am grateful to all of you who supported us in thought and spirit. We want to break the current orthodoxy that the only way to grow the economy is to consume more and increase our debt. There are other ways to measure growth, and they are not denominated only in terms of cash or gold. On Black Friday, we downed tools, telephones and picking lists and tried to invest in things of greater value; we distributed food and hot drinks to the homeless in Newcastle city centre, we planted our own garden where we hope to grow food for shared staff meals and we repaired damage to the infrastructure of our building so that our working environment better reflects our working values. A small gesture? Sure, but it was important to us. At this time of year when the rush is incessant and the pressures are unyielding, it is helpful to take time out, reconsider, re-align and get back on track. You may have guessed from my previous blogs that I love forests. There is a reason. A few years ago, I suffered a severe burnout and wasn’t entirely sure I would ever work again. The forest became a place of refuge and ultimately of healing. I spent hours,
whole days, walking the paths, gazing at trees, breathing the kind of fresh air you only experience deep in the heart of a forest. At the very top of the hill is a bench which, oddly, looks straight onto the trunks of some wonderful beech trees. When the bench was carried up there many years ago, the hillside was still recovering from the war. Every single tree had been felled for fuel and I am left to imagine the stunning view it once commanded but which is now completely hidden. No longer able to view the world “out there”, I was forced to stare up close at the trees that provide us with oxygen, soil, moisture, food and health. I read once that we humans have a desire to scan the horizons and see everything we have subjugated and control. One of the consequences of our bi-pedal posture is the ability to look down on other things. Sitting up on that bench was a good lesson in perspective. We are wealthier, and healthier by far, if we let nature provide. True poverty comes through the mindless and senseless acquisition of ‘stuff’, to the detriment of the world around us. 13
meet the people tours
South Africa – Rio’s Diary Our Digital Marketing Executive, Rio, has just returned from the trip of a lifetime to South Africa, with our friends at Meet the People. She kept a diary of her two amazing weeks there – here’s how she got on!
Day 1 >
I’ve arrived in Cape Town! First impressions: everyone is very friendly, and the weather is mild. As we drive from Cape Town to Stellenbosch, we pass the townships. The reality between the rich and the poor is quite shocking, seeing it first-hand, really made me think of simple privileges at home. Tin hut houses, with children playing outside, to then driving past green fields with the backdrop of rocky mountains was a stark contrast. Stellenbosch gives the impression of being an upmarket place and is known for its wine, so tasting the local wine was one of my first things I wanted to do! I was not disappointed…
Day 2 > Rio at Chapman’s Peak 14
Today was the day I was very excited for, we were all heading to Robben Island. This was the island that housed Nelson Mandela for 18 years and many other political prisoners. Arriving to the island, it really felt like you were
Rio with former inmate and tour guide
being banished from civilisation. An eerie feeling came over me. Half of the tour showed us where prisoners worked for eight hours a day in scorching heat, as well as a local church and school. Getting off the tour bus, we were greeted by an ex-prisoner (in the prison at the same time as Mandela – amazing!). He spoke about Nelson Mandela as a man who put other people first, and also a bit of a rule breaker, fighting for what was right! This reminded me of Traidcraft and what we all collectively work for! Fighting for what is fair…
an extremely passionate group of farmers, who knew the grape and raisin growing process inside and out. Whilst in their company, they cooked us a traditional South African lunch known as ‘Braai’ – which translates to Barbecue! This is very much a social custom in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and other areas. We spoke about the relationship between Traidcraft and EAC, they spoke very passionately about it, they expressed how sad they were when they heard the news that Traidcraft was expected to cease trading. They were excited when they heard that Traidcraft was revived; from speaking to them all, you could see the impact the relationship had in their lives and within farming. They spoke intensely about the raisin drying process, how important it was to get maximum quality out of the raisins they had grown. Drying them on concrete versus air drying made the difference. Air dried raisins were the better tasting raisins, which means they would leave them on racks, shake them every day and they would dry within a week. We were all eager to see this, but unfortunately, we missed the drying season which is in August, but hearing
Day 3 >
Today we headed to Upington, a small place which is not usually found on the tourist trail. We boarded a small jet and arrived within the hour to blazing heat, a contrast from Cape Town. Heading to Keimoes, we caught the African sunset, which was truly a sight to see. Unforgettable.
Day 4 > On day 4 we visited one of
Traidcraft’s producers, EAC. Traidcraft has worked with this cooperative for many years, so I was beyond excited to meet our producers first-hand and hear how Fairtrade has changed their lives and in what ways. EAC raisin and grape farmers were
EAC Chairman - Laurelle 15
happily. A couple on our trip brought a ball and bat set for them to play with, I was showing them how to play with the set and the children showed me gratitude by giving me a hug to say thank you. I tried to say thank you in my best Afrikaan accent, which was the children’s first language‌ Danke! We had a quick stop at Orange River Cellars, where we sampled some of the local wines produced here, it is something else to sample wine where it is produced, a truly amazing experience. We then went back to accommodation for the night, Augrabies Falls, which is within the National Park. We also had the chance to do a game drive, which was an absolute must for anyone! We were out from around about 7pm for a twoTraditional way of making Roobios Tea
the process was extremely interesting! We spoke about how they used their Fairtrade premium, they told us that they used it for many things in the community, from buying backpacks for local children, as the children were previously taking their books in plastic bags to school. Then, buying computers for the children to use at school and even dental care for the older generations, as the cost is high for this so they tried to support in as many ways they could in the community. Later in the day, the chairman of the EAC said we could visit a local orphanage in the area where we could meet some of the local children - this wasn’t in the itinerary, but we all thought it would be lovely to meet them whilst here. There were 23 children cared for by a local lady and her husband. The orphanage was not government funded and the lady and her husband raise the children from all different backgrounds out of the goodness of their own hearts. This was truly heart-warming. The children all played together like brothers and sisters, no fighting, just simply playing together 16
hour drive, where we saw giraffes, kudos, Red Rock rabbits and even a South African oryx!
Day 5 >
Today involved a long drive to get to our destination, Nieuwoudtville. This is a small town which homes a few guest houses, little shops and the home of the Roobios Tea Cooperative!
Day 6 >
Today we visited Heiveld Tea Cooperative, the small-scale farmers produce a variety of Roobios Tea. They concentrate heavily on sustainability of the environment they farm in and train the farmers on ways they can maintain the land to produce Roobios leaves. We visited the farmers, which was in a quaint little spot 10-15 drive from the centre of Nieuwoudtville. The farmers showed us their homes, which used minimal energy for preparing and cooking food for tourists and their families every day. Alongside their homes, they have built eco-lodges where they plan to let tourists stay in future. These lodges are built with stone from the land, and other sustainable materials. The energy used within these lodges is completely solar powered. People and planet go hand in hand here.
View from the top of Table Mountain
Rio on Robben Island
hours, which ferments the Roobios for flavour. Now, they use machines to harvest and clean the tea, the farmer joked if they still had to farm this way, she wouldn’t be a Roobios Tea farmer! Lodges at the Tea Growers
We walked a short distance to go and visit the Roobios Tea fields, where they showed us how it was harvested. They chop it by hand with a curled cleaver, chopping halfway up the plant, they chop the leaves and stem is included. I even got the chance to harvest some Roobios Tea, it included grabbing a big handful and cleaver in the other hand to chop it correctly. The farmer explained before machines they would chop the plant, add water and mesh together, leave it 24
We also were treated to another Braai lunch! This was so tasty; they prepared us potato salad and fresh clay oven bread, which was a taste sensation! CONTINUE READING RIO’S TWO-WEEK SOUTH AFRICAN DIARY HERE > Fancy visiting South Africa and experiencing all of this for yourself? To chat about any of our tours call Hannah or Lizzie on 0191 2651110 or email us at info@skedaddle.com 17
Christmas Appeal 2019
What world will baby Gracious grow up in? Like all parents, Mathew and Debura want the best for their beautiful baby son, Gracious. But in rural Tanzania, life is hard if you’re different. Baby Gracious with his mother, Debura
Chance to make a difference this Christmas
Perhaps you remember the story of Gracious’ father, Mathew, from last month’s bulletin? A talented and resourceful man, Mathew has been blind since the age of 16 as his family could not afford to pay for a cataract operation. But Mathew doesn’t let his disability get in his way. He works hard on his farm every day, from morning till sundown, to support his young family. “I have a dream to make sure my family have good schooling and balanced meals every day,” he says. But stigma and prejudice in the local community, and a lack of support for farmers with disabilities, is holding Mathew back from achieving this dream. “I feel so bad because it feels like I wasn’t able to provide, to fulfil the basic needs for my child.”
Mathew and Debura with baby Gracious outside their home 18
Aside from food, shelter, and healthcare, Mathew knows that as little Gracious gets older, he will need all the opportunities he can get. Gracious has albinism*, a condition which is still much misunderstood and stigmatised in Tanzania despite some progress in recent decades.
If you have already donated to our Christmas Appeal, thank you for your lifechanging gift. If not, there’s still time to help families like Mathew’s, if you are able. Mathew already has all the resolve and ambition he needs to make a success of his farm. All he needs now is an opportunity to change his family’s future – one that you can give him today. And there is already reason to be hopeful. Thanks to your generosity, Mathew recently joined a Traidcraft Exchange group alongside other disabled farmers in the area. Together, they are learning new farming techniques and growing new crops, with individual support tailored to their disabilities. This means they can increase their incomes and start to afford the daily essentials their families need. “Being part of the project can help me in my life 100% by improving my farming and business skills,” Mathew says. “For instance, I’ve already learned how to grow coffee, which for me is a new crop.” As you already know, earning a better wage is a powerful vehicle for change. But Mathew’s group is about even more than that. By standing together in solidarity, groups like Mathew’s can start to engage with their wider communities, to engage everyone in conversations about disability and stamp out prejudice for good. Such big change won’t happen overnight. But in time, by fostering an atmosphere of co-operation and mutual support, communities
I’ve already learned how to grow coffee, which for me is a new crop.
Baby Gracious at home with his parents
DONATE NOW >
can start to change things for the next generation – so children like Gracious can look forward to a future free of stigma and full of hope. By coming together to support families like Mathew, Debura and Gracious’, together, we can make this a reality. This is the first appeal we’ve ever run specifically for farmers with disabilities, and we’re so pleased to shed more light on the issues they face. This is our final call for your support this year – thank you so much for your generosity.
*A note on albinism For centuries, some groups of people in Tanzania and other East African countries have held superstitious beliefs about people with albinism. This has led many people with albinism to be ostracised and face persecution and violence. To learn more about what life is like for people with albinism in Tanzania, read Lakini’s story. READ LAKINI’S STORY > 19
As the New Year approaches, we already have lots of exciting plans brewing… so that together, we can transform even more lives through trade in 2020. We hope you’re looking forward to hosting a funfilled Big Brew over Fairtrade Fortnight – or at any other time of the year – and join us to raise vital funds to change lives through trade. Next year’s Big Brew will be a coffee-themed celebration, in honour of one the world’s most wonderful crops! Look out for more details in next month’s bulletin…
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Fairtrade Fortnight
will take place from 24th February - 8th March 2020
A new trade deal with the US? As the General Election campaign hots up, there’s one issue which is getting everyone talking. Will the next government do a trade deal with the USA? At Traidcraft Exchange, we believe in trade and business that’s fair. It has to support vulnerable people and the fragile earth we all depend on. We think a new trade deal between the UK and the US would do the opposite. It would undermine the ability of businesses in poorer countries to export to the UK, and make it harder for the UK to take action to tackle the
climate crisis. And most critically, it could set the direction for a future UK trade policy which would prioritise big business profits over supporting vulnerable people and protecting the planet. At the moment the government has no plans to do an impact assessment on any new trade deals to find out how they affect people and planet, and no plans to let MPs have a vote on them. So we are asking you to contact your Parliamentary candidates in the General Election and ask if they will commit to trade democracy. To make it easy for you, we’ve created an online action which will enable you to email all your candidates right now. Just click here. We’ve also created some questions and background information for you to use if you are going to a local hustings event. Download it here. 21
Traidcraft ’s Eco-Gift Guide We believe that the key to buying less, is buying right; investing in pieces which are good for the planet and the producer, rather than chasing those which are cheap, quick and unsustainable.
With that in mind, why not explore this ethical Christmas gift guide to discover Christmas gifts you’ll be proud to give, knowing they’re organic, sustainable, eco-friendly, recycled or reclaimed, and above all, always fair trade.
New
Traidcraft Rich Roast Coffee & Organic Dark Chocolate with Marzipan & Orange Liqueur Traidcraft Peru Coffee & Muscovado White Chocolate Traidcraft Malawi Coffee & Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Traidcraft Rich Roast Coffee & Mint Dark Chocolate
All only £7.99!
We pride ourselves in continually supplying you with new and exciting fair trade products to not just taste, but to experience. This is why our experienced coffee consultant has paired our coffees with our chocolate, to deliver the ultimate taste experience to our customers. These coffee and chocolate pairings are the perfect, affordable gift for anyone this Christmas! There’s even space to personalise each gift box and make sure it’s extra special… Which pairing will you choose? 22
Cafédirect’s Christmas Coffee The perfect Christmas stocking-filler for any coffee connoisseur, Cafédirect’s Christmas flavoured coffee is rich and full bodied, with notes of praline and brown sugar. Unlike any other coffee company, Cafédirect invest 50% of profits into Producers Direct, a UK charity that works directly with farmers to improve their sustainability and livelihoods. A feel-good stocking filler!
DISCOVER MORE STOCKING FILLERS >>
Fairly Traded Bedding (Single, double and king sizes) This 100% cotton bedding has a highquality finish, and has been block printed by hand in India, by artisans whose skills have been passed down throughout the generations. By purchasing items that celebrate traditional craftsmanship, our supplier, Namaste, is contributing to the preservation of these amazing, traditional skills and indigenous cultural heritage.
Sierra Nevada Mohair Blend Women’s Sweater With comfort, warmth and practicality at the heart of all their designs, Pachamama are the clothing brand you need to know about. With each item being skilfully handmade in Nepal, no item is the same, which will make sure that the wearer stands out from the crowd, wherever they may go! This Sierra Nevada sweater is made from a super soft wool and mohair blend, has slouchy front pockets and will be a welcome addition under any Christmas tree this year!
DISCOVER MORE GIFTS FOR HER >> 23
Recycled Crayons Pencil Pot Bringing a multicoloured splash of vibrancy to anyone’s desktop with this sustainable, recycled crayons pencil pot. This innovative pencil pot has been carefully crafted by artisans and is an excellent example of how we can incorporate recycling into our daily life. The crayons used to make these pieces have been collected from a small town, 200km from Delhi, and are factory rejects which would have otherwise been thrown away and completely wasted.
Recycled Bicycle Chain Wine Rack The ideal gift for a wine lover or eco-warrior, this cleverly constructed Bicycled Wine Rack has been made by artisans in Moradabad, Northern India, this wine rack uses bicycle chains for a rustic looking piece. The chains come from two sources; 60% are collected from bicycle repair centres across the country and the other 40% are cut-offs/loose waste from factories and big shops.
DISCOVER MORE RECYCLED GIFTS >>
Kids’ 100% Wool Fleece Lined Owl Hat & Mittens Make sure the little ones in your lives are toasty and warm this season, with these adorable owl hats and mittens. Not only eye-catching and fun, they’re also designed
Sold separately
with comfort and warmth in mind. Made from 100% wool, and fleece lined, there’s no chance of little ears or fingers feeling the cold this season when wearing one of these!
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Owl Children’s Shoulder Bag What a hoot! This colourful, fabric shoulder bag is perfect for any little adventurer and will make day trips even more exciting! Whether they’re carrying a tasty picnic, or some toys they simply couldn’t leave the house without, this easily cleaned and super cute shoulder bag will make transporting life’s essentials effortless. Made in Chiang Mai, Thailand, this brightly coloured piece will be loved and used for years to come. This product is not suitable for children under 36 months.
Eat Your Hat Ultimate Gift Set - Coffee & Chocolate The perfect gift for coffee-fans, chocolate connoisseurs, or ethical foodies, this Eat Your Hat Ultimate Gift Set contains three bags of premium organic speciality coffee and seven bars of organic chocolate, all snugly packed in a rustic wooden presentation case. All coffees and chocolate are fair trade, sustainable, organic, and sourced from ethical co-operatives and farming groups around the world. From the expert cocoa growers of São Tomé island to the women who hand-harvest coffee at the Asociación de Productoras Libres de Marcala (APROLMA) co-operative in west Honduras – only coffee and cocoa grown by the most ethical growers goes into Eat Your Hat’s ethical edibles.
Organic Hamper It’s so important to shop sustainably and organically, for the planet and for yourselves. We’ve been working for decades to support small scale, sustainable and organic farming practice. By supporting small scale, organic farmers who practice recycling their own waste products into healthy compost and who do not spray their land with excessive Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium (NPK farming), you are genuinely supporting heroes who are fighting climate change. We’ve created this hamper, full of sustainable, organic, future-proof goods which not only tingle the taste buds, but transform you into an everyday activist! Coming neatly packed in a reusable kaisa grass presentation basket with wood wool padding around your goodies, as pictured, it’s an excellent gift for all ages.
Includes fair trade basket
DISCOVER MORE GIFTS FOR HIM >> Has our ethical Christmas Gift Guide inspired to make this festive season a fair trade, handmade Christmas? Don’t forget, you can also add an ethical element to your festivities with FSC-certified gift wrap, charity Christmas cards and delicious, festive food, too!
SHOP CHRISTMAS HERE >> 25
Product Update
Socks
It has come to our attention that some of the pairs of chequered socks from Thought (within 65710 box set), are slightly faulty. If you have already purchased this set, we urge you to check the chequerboard pair of socks for any defects. If you spot anything, please get in touch. The remainder of the socks which we hadn’t yet sold, were put into hampers for the less fortunate and handed out as part of our Black Friday boycott.
Chocolate and Coffee Gift Sets
The team have been busy packing up our very popular coffee and chocolate gift sets - by the time this Bulletin is published, we will have packed up over 1,000 boxes! Don’t forget we have added a new combination for you to try!
Delayed Packaging
We are trailing the NatureFlex compostable packaging with both of our sweets and chocolate raisins manufacturers. We’re sorry this is taking longer than we had hoped! We assure you that this will be worth the wait.
New Traidcraft Biscuit Packaging
The new packaging is almost here – we hope you like the updated artwork on your favourite biscuits. For those of you with a keen eye, you may have noticed that our biscuits have been reduced in weight. This is due to raw material price increase and standardising of the biscuit weights across the whole manufacturer range. 26
Meru Pasta Sauces
Our extremely popular Meru Pasta Sauces (Tomato & Chilli and Tomato & Basil) are currently in stock, but once we sell through in December, they will not be available for a time. This is due to the fact that our supplier was struggling to source the glass jars which the sauces are stored in. This means that their order was on hold for some time. Once the jars have been sourced and the container can leave Kenya, we will have the sauces back in stock; we are expecting this to be in February.
SS20 Plans
Lizy and Kirsty are busy working on products and packaging for next year. Watch this space for your exclusive previews as Bulletin subscribers! A Traidcraft Easter Egg is also on the horizon...keep an eye out in 2020 Bulletins for more updates on this exciting development.
Out of Stock
To save you calling or messaging to enquire about stock availability, we thought it would be helpful if we supplied you with a list of products which are out of stock and unfortunately won’t be replenished before Christmas.
46946 Recycled Glass Jug & Tumblers (7 piece) 65424 Tropical Forest Jute Shopper 43774 Double zip purse 66724 Elephant Children’s Backpack 68764 Grey Fog Herringbone Tweed Gloves 41420 Black Mamba Gift Set 3 x 180ml 66790 Sample Packs 49078 Recycled Large Wine Glasses 60944 Elephant paperweights 58568 Recycled Glass Tumblers
The products highlighted won’t be replenished before Christmas, but will be available again in February for spring / summer. We hope this is useful!
63678 Recycled Bicycle Chain Photoframe
62136 Set of 4 Mosaic Coasters
66258 Range Packs
63858 Set of 2 Tree Design Tealight Holders
50960 Penguin decs
65238 Advent Calendar 2019
58584 Ludvig Scarf
69266 / 33048 The Real Advent Calendar (85g) SINGLE
53612 Elephant ring holder
54150 Leather & Jute Rug 75 x 120
65856 Mango wood Photoframe
54136 Elephant wooden calendar
49504 Elephant Zipped Coin Purse
58782 Enneli Scarf
64996 Recycled Highball Barrel Glasses
49016 Feather print grey scarf
67058 Cape Treasures Sundried Fig Infused Balsamic Reduction (250ml) SINGLE
50008 / 43698 Meaningful Chocolate Company Host of Angels (102g) SINGLE
63882 20 Rattan Ball Lights 57374 Recycled Classic Wine Glasses
53460 Elephant trinket tray
64724 Driftwood Bee house 52964 Reindeer decs
December Sale is Almost Here Psst! Keep an eye out on your inboxes for our SALE launch... starting mid-December!
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Fair Trade Christmas Rocky Road
Whether you’re entertaining guests this Christmas, or simply looking for something a little bit different to accompany your cuppa during the Queen’s Speech, we’ve got just the thing. This easy to follow recipe is great for making with the kids and is a failsafe way to please all ages this festive season!
Ingredients • • • • • • • • •
250g Traidcraft Organic Dark Chocolate 150g Eat Your Hat Organic 38% Milk Chocolate 175g soft butter 4 tbsp Golden Syrup 200g Traidcraft Stem Ginger Cookies 150g Tropical Wholefoods Brazil Nuts (shelled)* 150g Tropical Wholefoods Dates (chopped into bite-sized pieces) 125g mini marshmallows 1 tbsp icing sugar
Method
1. Chop both varieties of chocolate into small pieces, then put into a pan to melt with butter and syrup over a gentle heat. 2. Put the ginger biscuits into a freezer bag and bash them with a rolling pin to get a mixture of big- and small-sized pieces; you want some pieces to crunch and some more like rubble. 3. Bash the Brazil nuts in another freezer bag so you get different-sized pieces (or roughly chop with a knife). 4. Take the pan off the heat, and add the biscuits and nuts, chopped fruit and mini marshmallows. Mix carefully to coat everything evenly. 5. Tip into a tin or silicone tray (square or rectangular) and spread out. 6. Refrigerate until firm enough to cut, (minimum of 2 hours). Then take it out of the tin and cut into small portion sizes (remembering that it’s very rich and indulgent!) 7. Sieve the icing sugar over the top to lightly dust the Rocky Road. Variations: You could use a mixture of different dried fruits: Tropical Wholefoods Sultanas are a great option, dried cranberries or red glace cherries (for an even more festive feel!)
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