Fairtrade Fortnight runs every year for two weeks.
Its aim is to transform the farming industry and to ensure that farmers and workers in the developing world get a fair deal for the crops they grow.
Fairtrade Fortnight brings together consumers, retailers, licensees, businesses, producers and campaigners nationwide to promote awareness and sales of Fairtrade products and campaign on issues of trade justice.
This is done by action-packed campaigns, targeted at businesses, places of worship and schools and colleges, that participate in raising awareness of Fairtrade products.
People come together across the UK to share stories about the people who grow our food and drinks, mine our gold and who grow the cotton in our clothes – people who are often underpaid, if not exploited.
Fairtrade cocoa growers
So, when is Fairtrade Fortnight in 2023?
It will take place from the Monday 27th of February to the Sunday 12th of March 2023 inclusive.
Last year, online panels, ‘bake-offs’ and coffee mornings and over 50 “virtual events” took place as part of the Fortnight and many will return for 2023.
The conversations sparked from these events aim to ensure farmers and workers are put front and centre of conversations on how to tackle climate issues.
This Fairtrade Fortnight, join us in spreading a simple message: “choose Fairtrade now and help save our favourite foods”.
Did you know cocoa, bananas and coffee could soon be much more difficult to find on our shelves?
Climate change is making crops like these harder and harder to grow. Combined with deeply unfair trade, communities growing these crops are being pushed to the brink.
But here’s the good news…
More of us choosing Fairtrade means extra income, power, and support for those communities, as they work to build sustainable and prosperous futures.
So not only is choosing Fairtrade best for people and planet, it could help save everyday treats like chocolate, bananas and a hot cuppa!
The growing challenges that climate change brings to farmers and workers in the communities that Fairtrade works with are at the forefront of the festival.
Marginalised people in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya and Honduras – who have actually done the least to contribute to climate change – are disproportionately affected by it, due to consistent low prices for their produce.
Fairtrade tea picker
This lack of money for their hard work means they can be exposed and unequipped to meet their everyday needs and cope with the adversity they face from climate change
and those in vulnerable countries are already seeing the impact of the climate through droughts, crop diseases and floods for example.
These days, Fairtrade Fortnights are celebrated in several countries, most notably Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Fairtrade Fortnight 2023 campaign activities
What does Fairtrade mean?
Fairtrade means better prices, good working conditions and improvement to sustainability.
Buying Fairtrade products means that there are agreed terms and pricing for both farmers and workers in developing countries in the southern hemisphere.
Fairtrade provides them with the security of knowing they’ll receive a fair price for their crop and the long term stability that comes from having a better relationship with their buyer.
And there are positive signs! Today, 1 in 3 bananas bought in the UK are Fairtrade. But there’s plenty more that we can do to ensure that people earn what they deserve from their labour.
Fairtrade bananas
With everything that has happened since the start of “The Pandemic”, the adversity that farmers must face now is even worse, with falling commodity prices and general shock echoing around global supply chains.
This leads to ongoing poverty in farming communities that makes it even harder for these people to cope with the effects of climate change.
How to buy Fairtrade products…
Look out for the Fairtrade symbol, clearly marked on each pack. When products have this symbol on, you will know that, due to the certification by Fairtrade Foundation, a fair price has been paid to the workers involved.
Fairtrade Foundation logo
With over 4,500 different Fairtrade products are available to buy in UK supermarkets and stores you can’t miss them!
Choosing and asking for Fairtrade is one way to ensure farmers and workers can farm into the future and earn enough to provide for their families and invest in their communities.
So start preparing NOW and have a fantastic Fairtrade Fortnight 2023.
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If you are holding an event, or simply participating in one, why not leave a comment below to help promote it?” – Paul
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