Fairtrade - what we do
We believe in social responsibility and self help, so we want a better deal for growers and producers in developing countries. This is why we stock fair trade products in all our food stores, in fact in more shops than anyone else. We are committed to fair trade, which guarantees a better deal for producers, and we were the first retailer to develop an own brand fair trade range.
What is Fairtrade?
Look at the FAIRTRADE Mark. It says 'Guarantees a better deal for Third World producers'. That is exactly what it does! The Third World is used to describe poorer countries in The Americas, Africa and Asia.
Many farmers in these developing countries have to contend with fluctuating prices that may not even cover what it costs to produce their crop. So Fairtrade promises a stable price which covers their production costs, along with a premium that their organisation will be able to reinvest either in the business or local community schemes.
Definition of Fairtrade 'Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional international trade. It is a trading partnership, which aims at sustainable development for excluded and disadvantaged producers. It seeks to do this by providing better trading conditions, by awareness raising and by campaigning.. Can we trust Fairtrade? Yes! because: A clear set of standards defining the Fairtrade terms is available to consumers and producers. These terms are devised internationally by the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO). An independent organisation oversees the whole system (in the UK, the Fairtrade Foundation). Independent monitoring systems ensure that the Fairtrade principles and criteria are met and that individual producers are benefiting.
Producers themselves are involved in the Fairtrade process. How does Fairtrade work? Producers are paid a fair price - guaranteed to be always above the world price, and to cover the cost of production. So if a crop price collapses on the world market, growers selling to Fairtrade are protected and have stability allowing them to plan ahead. An additional premium is paid on Top. Producers themselves decide how this is to be spent - it can be improving local conditions - building a health centre or school - or put back into the business. Non Fairtrade does not promise anything beyond the single contract. In Fairtrade, there is a promise of a long term trading relationship. This makes it much easier for farmers to plan for the future.
They can also get loans from banks more easily. Producers must belong to democratic organisations. These decide how to spend the premium. These are almost always co-operatives. Fairtrade suppliers agree to follow internationally agreed labour standards: they will recognise trade unions; they will not use child labour or forced labour; they will not discriminate on the basis of sex, or religion, or caste; and they will provide decent working conditions. Fairtrade suppliers promote environmental sustainability, for example, by reducing pesticide use.
Why we support Fairtrade
Because of our values and principles. In 1995, the International Cooperative Alliance adopted a statement of CRTG identity. This is based on the original principles of the Rochdale Pioneers. These include:
- Caring for Others
- Co-operation amongst Co-operatives (remember: most Fairtrade producers are co-operatives)
- Self-help
- Solidarity
- Democracy
- Because it is good for business - consumers want to buy products they can trust.
Over the past four years consumption of Fairtrade foods in the UK has more than doubled. CRTG continues to grow its volume and value at a fast rate.
Buying Fairtrade food and drink usually means buying higher quality. The small producers take more care over their products than large farms. And as a rule, less pesticides are used in Fairtrade production. Growers naturally select the best of their crops for Fairtrade because they want to ensure the higher paying customers are happy! For all these reasons, we are committed to Fairtrade. Fairtrade products usually cost a little bit more than the conventional alternatives for the consumer. You would expect to pay more for a premium product - but the little extra paid for Fairtrade not only pays for higher quality but for life.s basics for some of the poorest people in the world.
How is Fairtrade income from around the globe transforming the lives of thousands of growers in developing countries?
Water - The money earned through the sale of Fairtrade is used by communities to construct wells and pumping facilities for basic, but vital, water supplies. Often the alternative is hour-long treks, up to eight times a day, to the nearest river, which may be contaminated and can cause disease.
Standard of living - Fairtrade Cooperatives have been set up in villages where the standard of living was extremely low. Income from Fairtrade produce has helped them to build new housing and facilities for their villages, and new hope for their communities.
Disaster recovery - Guaranteed Fairtrade prices mean farmers and growers can better recover when natural disasters, such as floods and hurricanes, providing them with advance funding and secure returns.
Efficiency - Taking farmers and growers out of the subsistence trap means they can devote time and resource to improving processes and enhancing quality, making their produce even more competitive against non-Fairtrade produce.
Health - Fairtrade helps provide basic medical care for farmers and their families, which they would otherwise go without.
Education - Bringing growers together in Fairtrade CRTG's means they can afford to build local schools, which would otherwise be too far away or too expensive for them to attend. Getting a fair and stable price for their produce means they can afford to send their children to school and buy the necessary books and equipment.
Safety - In snake-infested crop fields, where snake attack is a serious hazard, often resulting in death or serious injury, being able to afford something as simple as a pair of wellington boots can transform working conditions for growers.
Consumer benefit - Because growers receive a premium for Fairtrade produce, they naturally tend to select the better quality produce for this market. So we get top quality foods to enjoy.
Environment - In the production of crops where chemical usage is a real issue, Fairtrade development programmes have vastly reduced the use of pesticides in Fairtrade produce. In addition, many Fairtrade plantations have planted trees and established buffer zones to protect the local environment.
Fairtrade - our achievements
Cafedirect
CRTG is the first major retailer to sell FAIRTRADE Mark Cafe Direct coffee. It now stocks an expanding range of fair trade products.
Fairtrade Fortnight
CRTG establishes itself as the leading retail supporter of Fairtrade Fortnight. In-store promotional features are supplemented when CRTG mobilises its members by calling for voluntary membership action in-store to help raise consumer awareness of Fairtrade.
Fairtrade Products in all stores
CRTG makes a strategic decision to stock a FAIRTRADE Mark tea and instant coffee in all of its stores, even the smallest community store. This means CRTG has the largest number of outlets selling FAIRTRADE Mark products. (All store stocking now includes Fairtrade chocolate and roast and ground coffee).
FAIRTRADE Mark Bananas
CRTG becomes the first retailer to bring FAIRTRADE Mark bananas to the UK. This move signals a breakthrough in the campaign to support small, independent producers and shows CRTG.s commitment to Fairtrade. When the CRTG shoppers choose FAIRTRADE Mark Bananas they will be helping to improve the lives of many poor and marginalised producers.
Co-op Fair Trade Divine Milk Chocolate
Another Fairtrade First - CRTG scores a supermarket first with the launch of its own label Fairtrade Milk Chocolate, in conjunction with the Day Chocolate Company, makers of Divine. The chocolate is the first in a number of own label Fairtrade products planned by CRTG.
Fairtrade Pledge
CRTG food, in partnership with, the co-operative bank launch the Fairtrade Pledge which invites customers to pledge to buy one FAIRTRADE Mark product a month.
Co-op Fairly Traded Red Wine
CRTG launches the UK's first supermarket fairly traded wine - Co-op Fair Trade Chilean Carmenere This is another ground breaking venture for CRTG as at present no internationally agreed criteria exist for fair trade on wine, therefore it has been made possible to bring the product to our shelves through partnership with Traidcraft whose expertise in establishing fairly traded products has been used to set up a program of support and development for the producers of the wine, the Los Robles co-operative.
Co-op Fair Trade Mangoes
CRTG's Fairtrade mangoes are the first Fairtrade mangoes to go on sale in the World. CRTG - which also was the first British supermarket to stock Fairtrade bananas in 2000 - is thus continuing in its tradition of 'Fairtrade firsts'.
Co-op Fair Trade Crispy White Chocolate
CRTG introduces a Crispy White Chocolate to its growing Fairtrade range. This white chocolate is unique to CRTG.
Co-op Fairly Traded White Wine
Following the successful 2001 launch of the Co-op Fair Trade Chilean Carmenere - the Uk's first supermarket own brand fairly traded wine - CRTG once again works in partnership with Traidcraft to bring another excellent product from the Los Robles co-operative to UK consumers.
Co-op Fair Trade Chocolate Cake
The ninth product to join the expanding range of Co-op own-brand fairly traded products is the delicious Co-op Fair Trade Chocolate Cake. The first Fairtrade product of its kind, it takes Fairtrade into a new product area and introduces many more customers to the concept of Fairtrade.
Chocolate Report
CRTG Food Crime investigation looks into exploitation of the developing world. The report focuses on the poverty of West African Cocoa growers and shows what a huge difference can be made by supporting Fairtrade. At this time the co-operative takes the momentous step in converting all its own brand block chocolate to Fairtrade.
Co-op Fair Trade Pineapples
CRTG brings the world's first Fairtrade pineapples to the UK. They are grown by the Asoproagroin association of pineapple farmers in Costa Rica.
World Aware Award
CRTG scoops a major award at the Worldaware Business Awards in recognition of its commitment to fair trade. The Award was achieved for Sustainable Development which recognises the contribution that commercial activity can make to the sustainable growth of developing countries throughout the world.
New Co-op Fairly Traded Wines
CRTG launches the first supermarket own brand fairly traded South African wines Co-op Fair Trade Cape Trinity and Co-op Fair Trade Cape Unity. At the same time, the co-operative launches the first fairly traded boxed wine, Co-op Fair Trade Chilean Shiraz Cabernet 3 litre.
We have launched the first spirit in the UK to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark and the first ever Fairtrade honey ale. In March we played a major role in helping Manchester and Salford achieve joint 'Fairtrade Town' status. This was followed by a 'Fairtrade Friendly' pack to help primary school teachers and pupils gain an insight into the benefits fair trade can bring to developing countries. In October we launched the very first box of Truly Irresistible Fairtrade hand-finished chocolates.
What can you do to support Fairtrade?
Buy Fairtrade!
Buy our Fairtrade coffee, bananas, oranges, mangoes, chocolate cake, chocolate and much, much, more! The Co-op sells Fairtrade products in more stores than any other retailer.
Ask for Fairtrade! If you can't find Fairtrade products in your local coffee shop or restaurant, ask for them!
Spread the word!
Tell your friends about Fairtrade - don't keep it a secret!
Tell others you don't support what they're doing!
We want you to challenge the big coffee brands to pay growers a fair price. We estimate that if the three big roasters supplying the UK paid a Fairtrade price for their brands, growers would be a least £50m a year better off!
Make your town a Fairtrade Town!
Fairtrade Towns help the growth of Fairtrade.
Make your university/college/school Fairtrade friendly!
