Wednesday, February 27, 2008

ABC Wednesday - F

What great timing! Mrs Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday arrives at the letter 'F' during Fairtrade Fortnight! Our church, Linden, in Swansea, runs a community cafe during school holidays. This Spring, it was decided to open not only over half-term but for Fairtrade Fortnight (25 February - 9 March) as well.

Products used by the cafe are fairtrade or organic or locally-sourced as far as possible. We're also going to be maintaining a small fairtrade stall throughout the year. All sorts of things are now available as certified fairtrade including clothes, children's games, and footballs as well as many food products.

You might be able to see, amongst the items already available in Red Cafe, chocolate coffee beans, chocolate eggs, drinking chocolate and chocolate hazelnut spread. (And I haven't weakened in my resolve to give up chocolate for Lent. Just because it's occupying my thoughts and dreams means nothing.)

To be sure that the goods you are buying are fairly-traded, look for the Fairtrade mark.



According to the Fairtrade Foundation:
"Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives."

A damning report about fair trade was published this week . The Fairtrade Foundation says:
"The Fairtrade Foundation finds it extremely sad that the Adam Smith Institute has chosen Fairtrade Fortnight to publish an inaccurate report, claiming that Fairtrade does “more harm than good”. This completely contradicts our experience of working with farmers and workers in developing countries as part of a coalition that includes all the major development agencies in the UK. Releasing this report when thousands of people are trying to make a difference to global poverty by promoting Fairtrade products, is an insult to the effort and commitment of Fairtrade producers and their supporters in the UK." For the rest of the response, go here.
xx

27 comments:

Ellee Seymour said...

I think you are a very good person Liz. I shall continue to support FT despite the findings of the ASI, I want to feel I am doing some good and helping farmers in poverty stricken areas.

Anonymous said...

The ASI are pretty nutty anyhoo!

Anonymous said...

A thoughtful post for the letter F. Have a fabulous day...

hpy said...

Chocolat is good but your blog opens up VERY slowly. Or is it Blogger?

DeeMom said...

Super post

Kyanite said...

Well done - a very interesting F post.

I see your a Rugby fan - same here but obviously we support different 6 Nations teams! I do enjoy watching the game sadly only on TV!

Blue

Gerald (SK14) said...

fair but still fearfully fattening

Daryl said...

Fairtrade is extremely important, good on you for helping support it

Petunia said...

This is a really great F post:D

Cynnie said...

Stupid question here..
do you speak that wales ( welch?) language ??
I'm fascinated..
I'm an ignorant american forgive me.

Lilli & Nevada said...

Nice F post

Leslie: said...

What a great idea - and not just for the F day! ;D

Anonymous said...

Great post for the letter F. I try to buy Fair Trade whenever I can. Sadly, every Fair Trade coffee I've ever tried has been horrid. Any suggestions for a decent one? Happy ABC Wednesday!

Marie said...

Great post. We should all buy fair trade products. In France we call fair trade "commerce équitable."

Neva said...

I will continue to shop Fairtrade. I hope it helps to make a difference. good post....I like your flag animation! I tried but was unsuccessful in making one!

HildeS/Frøken Fryd said...

Thank you for a very good F:)

VP said...

There's a quote in our local papaer this week that Chippenham is a Fair Trade town. I've seen absolutely no evidence of it whatsoever so far.

Looks like you're having much more success Liz!

CherryPie said...

Nice find for the F photograph!

Anne-Berit said...

Interesting F-post:o)

Silly Goose said...

Nice to hear what a thinking blogger thinks! Keep up the good work. ;-)

FO - 2 said...

VERY GOOD F - post! :)
One of my great interestes.

Pete M said...

Great post and fits in with the F very well.

A man once gave me a million pounds, in return i gave him an old sweet i found in my pocket, would you say thats a fair trade

Katney said...

WE have some grandparents who bring fairtrade items to our school a couple of tiems a year. Theya re vounteers in a fair trade store in another area. It is an excellent concept and you should be congratulated for supporting them.

kRiZcPEc said...

Wow! What an informative post!
BTW, thanks for commenting my entry. :)

Jan said...

Very interesting post. Thank you.

Paulie said...

FINE post FULL of information FOR me! Great choice for "F" this week!

Dragonstar said...

Very good and interesting "F". I see no reason not to support FT whenever possible!