Fairtrade
Fairtrade Fortnight
Fairtrade Fortnight starts on 27 February. The Fairtrade Foundation website has plenty of ideas about what activity your church could be involved in. You can download a free Church Action Guide, as well as other helpful resources at: www.fairtrade.org.uk. Join with other faithgroups and individuals up and down the UK to raise awareness of fairtrade to make a big difference to the lives of farmers and workers around the world.
I would like to hear about your church’s involvement with Fairtrade and any activities you have planned during Fairtrade Fornight or in the months ahead. Write to me at david.potter2012@btinternet.com.
David Potter – Bishop’s Adviser on Fairtrade Matters
New Bishop's Advisor for Fairtrade appointed in 2012
David Potter has been appointed Bishop's Advisor on Fairtrade. He will also join the Board for Church in Society. In this voluntary role, David will take forward the excellent work previously undertaken by Ben and Pauline Jupp.
David lives in Papworth Everard where he is currently Churchwarden at St Peter's. Until his retirement in December 2011, David was the Operations Director (East) for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). He was responsible for supporting some 14,000 chartered surveyors and trainees across the East of England and East Midlands; raising the profile of the profession; contributing to the public policy debate on land, property and construction; and developing the Institution's communications strategy in both regions.
He is a member of Sustainable Built Environment East and a past member of the East of England Sustainable Development Round Table. He has been Chairman of the Radio Cambridgeshire Local Advisory Committee, was on the regional committee of the Heritage Lottery Fund for 5 years and a member of the Advisory Board for Inspire East. The majority of his professional life has been in local government, including 10 years as Director of Planning at Huntingdonshire District Council.
David says:'Fairtrade is all about changing for the better the lives of farmers, workers and their families in the poorer countries of the world. I look forward to promoting the Fairtrade idea and helping to celebrate the commitment already shown by many of our parishes across the Diocese'.
David can be contacted on david.potter2012@btinternet.com
Pauline and Ben Jupp, pictured below with the Archbishop of York, have retired from their work as Co-ordinators for health reasons. We are grateful to them for their sterling work in achieving Fairtrade Diocese status in 2009.
Diocese becomes Fairtrade during 2009
Pauline and Ben Jupp with the Archbishop of York in Ely Cathedral © Caroline Jupp
Becoming Fairtrade was one of the aims of the Diocese during 2009, its 900th anniversary year. This was achieved in an almost record time of 15 months, after at least 50% of the churches in the Diocese applied for and were granted Fairtrade Church status.
There are 4 other commitments made by the Diocese which are to:
- Support Fairtrade and serve only Fairtrade tea & coffee at its own meetings;
- Encourage other churches who have not done so to adopt a Fairtrade policy;
- Attract media coverage and continue raising awareness of the Fairtrade mark;
- Set up a steering and monitoring group. It has decided that this will be the Board for Church in Society.
The Board wishes to encourage other churches to adopt a Fairtrade policy where it does not already do so, as per commitment 2 above. Even if, for example, you already serve Fairtrade tea and coffee after your services, you still need to apply (details below).
How to become a Fairtrade church
- Download the Fairtrade Church Application Form. Please complete one form per church/parish.
- Discuss it and decide at your next PCC meeting. The three commitments you need to make are shown on the application form.
- Either
- complete the downloaded application form electronically (it's an MS Word document) and email it as an attachment to David Potter.
- print the downloaded application form to complete on paper and then post it direct to The Fairtrade Foundation, Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London, EC3N 1DY.
- Thank you!
Suppliers of Fairtrade tea, coffee and other supplies
If you already have a wholesale supplier, initially ask for Fairtrade supplies - because of the increase in demand for Fairtrade many suppliers are likely to be able to respond positively. If not there are a number of wholesalers available. See the Fairtrade Foundation website for a directory of wholesalers – click on Products, Catering Products and then East & South-East England.
Traidcraft
Traidcraft, one of the first Fairtrade wholesalers, has recently extended its small order wholesale facility, to churches. If you don’t have a Fairtrade supplier at the moment (or even if you do) we recommend this Traidcraft facility.
For information go to their website, or telephone 0870 444 1543 if you have any queries. You can browse their full catalogue online or order a printed copy.
In an emergency of course all major supermarkets and many smaller outlets, including most Oxfam shops, now stock Fairtrade products e.g. tea, coffee, sugar and biscuits at competitive prices – look for the Fairtrade logo. Our research shows that Fairtrade products are not normally more expensive and quite often cheaper than their non Fairtrade counterparts.
Fairtrade Communion Wine
Fairtrade Communion Wine has been introduced this year and is available from Whitebridge Wines, Unit 21, Whitebridge Estate, Stone, Staffs, ST15 8LQ or from their website.
Fairtrade Fortnight Photos
Click here to view photos from Fairtrade Fortnight 2009.
Useful reading
Two best books are:
- 50 Reasons to buy Fairtrade: Miles Litvinoff and John Madeley. £7.99
- Fighting the Banana Wars and other Fairtrade Battles: Harriet Lamb. £10.99
There are many excellent books available on the subject including some wonderful cookery books!