Church of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady

Fairtrade Fortnight 2010: 22 February - 7 March

Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 Big Brew

This year we will be celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight between Monday 22nd February and Sunday 7th March. There are two ways you can help to support this event:

  1. THE BIG SWAP - swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff. This could be anything, from bananas to cotton socks to a Fairtrade cup of tea. You can even register your swap on the Internet. Please visit here for more information.
  2. THE BIG BREW - Traidcraft's Big Brew is a national initiative encouraging schools, churches, workplaces and any other organisation, to host a Fairtrade tea party event anytime during Fairtrade Fortnight 2010. Whether you simply put the kettle on and invite people along or you use it as an opportunity to put on a large event ranging from a café to a carnival, Traidcraft's Big Brew has something for everyone. Please visit here for more information.

Fairtrade

Our parish was involved in raising awareness and money over Fairtrade Fortnight last year (23rd Feburary to 8th March 2009) by running two very successful events after mass. We sold cakes, make by Andrea Rhodes, that were created using Fairtrade ingredients, and we served only Fairtrade drinks - tea, coffee, and fruit juice. In addition, there was a Traidcraft jewellery sale, selling fair trade items from India, Peru, Kenya and Vietnam. And on the last Sunday we even held a Fairtrade wine-tasting session that proved quite popular! Many thanks to all who helped support these events, which helped to raise over £50, and special thanks to Christina Lynn for organising it all.


Bangles Necklace Earrings Scarf

So, how else can I help?

There is a wide range of products out there for you to buy, not just food items, but also flowers, bags, gifts, clothing and jewellery. Cadbury's has recently announced that it is becoming fair trade, so you can enjoy the best chocolate around without feeling guilty.

Visit www.fairtrade.org.uk or www.traidcraft.co.uk for more information.

Even some of the bigger retailers are introducing Fairtrade lines of clothing and accessories, such as M&S, Monsoon, Laura Ashley and George to name but a few. Just visit their websites and enter "Fairtrade" into the keyword search box.

Clothing Clothing Clothing Clothing

Traidcraft gifts Traidcraft is another organisation helping to fight poverty through fair trade. Set up in 1979 as a Christian response to poverty, they combine a trading company with a development charity. Try browsing their online shop at www.traidcraftshop.co.uk for gifts, clothing, or groceries, or even "gifts for life".



The local Co-op is a very good place to find Fairtrade food to buy. Products to look out for include tea, coffee, hot chocolate, beer, wine, juices, biscuits, chocolate, cakes, ice cream, cereals and bars, honey, jams, sugar, fresh fruit, olive oil, herbs and spices, rice, and much more...


How exactly am I helping by buying Fairtrade items?

Fairtrade products Products that display the Fairtrade on them have met internationally agreed Fairtrde standards. This means they have been sourced from people that have been paid a fair wage for their time and effort, and can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood. They are a more ethical buy as they guarantee a better deal for their producers. You should also keep an eye out for products displaying the Traidcraft logo.