Fairtrade at Saint Faith's

.... telling you about our Fairtrade status, what it means, and what we do





STEPS FOR FAIRTRADE AT ST FAITH'S
      


St Faith’s Church PCC decided some years ago to seek Fairtrade status.  We were awarded this in 2007 because we made the following pledges:
  •  To use Fairtrade tea and coffee for all meetings for which we have responsibility
  •  To move forward on using other Fairtrade products such as biscuits, sugar and fruit
  •  To promote the FAIRTRADE Mark at events during  Fairtrade Fortnight and through other activities whenever possible
We have since fulfilled those pledges by using Fairtrade coffee, tea and sugar and by promoting the work of the Fairtrade Foundation and the sale of Traidcraft goods whenever possible. The church has as a result over the years  been able to donate several hundred pounds to the charity wing of Traidcraft to help its partners in developing countries. The church is represented on local groups which campaign for trade justice. These are the Merseyside World Development Group, the Crosby and District Justice and Peace Group, and the Crosby Fairtrade Network.

Below is a recent example of the projects that Traidcraft has been able to support as a result of its sales by Fairtraders, and sales at supermarkets.

In Bangladesh, Begum Madina Akhter began rearing ducks she struggled to earn enough to feed her family. She had little knowledge about duck farming. Traidcraft’s project enabled Madina not just to improve her knowledge but also her confidence.She now owns 400 ducksand has become a community leader. She can afford to send her four children to school and provide a nourishing diet for her family.

Hence the slogan which urges congregations in our churches to ...

   "DO SOMETHING FOR CHRIST’S SAKE!"
   Using Fairtrade coffee and tea is the least we can do to help producers build a better life!

Kathy Zimak





FAIRTRADE ONLINE


You can find out much more about the Fairtrade Foundation by clicking HERE to visit their website: three extracts from their material, 'Who we are', 'Our vision' and 'Our mission' follow

Who we are

The Fairtrade Foundation is the independent non-profit organisation that licenses use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products in the UK in accordance with internationally agreed Fairtrade standards.  The Foundation was established in 1992 by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft, the World Development Movement, and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes.  Member organisations now also include Banana Link,Methodist Relief and Development Fund, Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign, People & Planet,SCIAF, Shared Interest Foundation, Soroptimist International , Tearfund and the United Reformed Church.

The Foundation is the UK member of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO), which unites 21 labelling initiatives across Europe, Japan, North America, Mexico and Australia/New Zealand as well as networks of producer organisations from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Fairtrade Foundation is a registered charity (no. 1043886). It is also a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (no. 2733136).

Our vision

Our vision is of a world in which justice and sustainable development are at the heart of trade structures and practices so that everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood and develop their full potential.

To achieve this vision, Fairtrade seeks to transform trading structures and practices in favour of the poor and disadvantaged. By facilitating trading partnerships based on equity and transparency, Fairtrade contributes to sustainable development for marginalised producers, workers and their communities. Through demonstration of alternatives to conventional trade and other forms of advocacy, the Fairtrade movement empowers citizens to campaign for an international trade system based on justice and fairness.

Our mission

The Foundation’s mission is to work with businesses, community groups and individuals to improve the trading position of producer organisations in the South and to deliver sustainable livelihoods for farmers, workers and their communities by
  •   being a passionate and ambitious development organisation committed to tackling poverty and injustice through trade
  •   using certification and product labelling, through the FAIRTRADE Mark, as a tool for our development goals
  •   bringing together producers and consumers in a citizens’ movement for change
  •   being recognised as the UK’s leading authority on Fairtrade


Fairtrade 'Take a Step' logo

WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT

Details of forthcoming events and activities will be posted regularly on the church website's NOTICE BOARD

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