Trainee Solicitor Kesena Ohazurike looks at what Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 means and what the business is doing to get involved.
Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 is the latest instalment of the annual event to increase awareness of Fairtrade products. It promotes support for the farmers and workers who grow our food in developing countries. They campaign for a living income to become a reality for cocoa farmers in West Africa.
Fairtrade ensures fair prices, living wages and community benefits for farmers, workers and their families in developing countries. Education, healthcare and environmental sustainability all benefit from Fairtrade, and workers benefit from improved and humane working conditions. All Fairtrade products are made in safe and healthy working conditions, where farmers and producers receive a fair price and have a voice in how their workplace is run.
Fairtrade has a mission to connect disadvantaged farmers and workers with consumers, promote fairer trading conditions and empower farmers and workers to combat poverty, strengthen their position and take more control over their lives. The support the Fairtrade provides for the development of thriving farming and worker communities is through enabling more control over their futures and protecting the environment in which they live and work.
Many farmers are underpaid and exploited. They are unable to earn enough for basic provisions including food, education and housing. The situation is even worse for women who toil the fields and take care of the home. They are often overlooked and underrepresented, and often receive less money for their crop. This year the focus is on the people – particularly women – who grow the cocoa in the chocolate we enjoy so much.
What can you do to help?
Always look out for the Fairtrade Mark on a chocolate-based treat. If you grab a tea, coffee or hot chocolate on the go, check if it is Fairtrade certified (all coffee and tea provided in Lyons Davidson’s kitchens is). If you are not sure, ask the barista.
What Lyons Davidson and File Dynamics are doing to help
Our Edinburgh, Leeds, Cardiff, Solihull, Queen Square and Bristol House offices will be hosting bake sales on Thursday, 7 March 2019, so please come along and treat yourself or leave a donation. If you would like to get involved and get creative in the kitchen baked sweet or savoury treats will be welcome!
There will also be a Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 stand outside our Queen Square office in Bristol with free coffee sampling and treats to raise awareness, as well as show our support for farmers and workers who produce these goods.
For more information on any of the issues raised in this article visit the Sustainability section of our website or contact our Environmental Management Systems Co-ordinator Alex Lam.
