October is Fair Trade Month in the USA. Other countries such as the UK have a Fair Trade fortnight every February.
The idea of such events is to make more people aware of the impact they can make through their purchasing power. I have written at length before about personal social responsibility and it is important that we all make things happen in the world in a positive manner.
The Fairtrade Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal.
In the UK, with over 1,500 Fairtrade certified products available, it’s easier than ever to include Fairtrade items in your everyday shopping needs.
It is time to make Fairtrade purchasing a habit and the norm rather than just the occasional purchase.
As consumers in the west, we can change the world by making Fairtrade a lifestyle choice and ensuring that Fairtrade producers get a fair deal.
Fairtrade not only ensures that the producer receives a fair price for their crop, but also provides a social premium that the community decides how to invest in development in areas such as healthcare, education and water sourcing.
You can do your bit by:-
1. Regularly purchasing Fairtrade products – more and more of are now available.
2. Asking your retailer to stock Fairtrade products – it only takes a few customers to ask before the all powerful supermarkets will change their sourcing and purchasing
3. Giving Fairtrade gifts to family and friends at Xmas and other festive occasions. You will be spreading the word about Fairtrade and others will also make similar purchases in the future.
4. Banking with ethical banks which support Fairtrade. Check with your mortgage provider whether and how they support Fairtrade companies.
5. Asking your employer to buy Fairtrade products for company use.
You will be changing the world, through your baby steps. After all it is only fair that everyone has decent recognition and monetary rewards for what they do to make your life what it is today.
