All local Runnymede residents are welcome to purchase Fair Trade products through St John’s. You would need to pick up your purchases from St John’s Church. See the end of this post if you would like to get involved or to make a purchase.
Fair Trade is about making trading partnerships where companies in developed countries pay fair prices to producers in developing countries.
Fair Trade is about supporting producers to grow their own businesses, helping them to have an impact on their own communities, giving them direct access to markets, and bypassing corrupt local businesses and shady government officials along the way.
Fair Trade is about addressing a global imbalance of power, and treating growers and artisans as equals. It’s about fighting discrimination, looking out for child welfare, and ensuring that artisans have access to the safe working conditions we all deserve, wherever we spend our days.
Fair Trade is about giving artisans and growers a voice, and listening to that voice.
By choosing to buy Fair Trade goods, you can support farmers and artisan suppliers around the globe . A wide range of Fair Trade products are now available, ranging from Fair Trade food and drink to clothes, gifts and household goods, so it’s easier to shop ethically than ever before.
Traidcraft are the original fair trade pioneers in the UK, advocating the importance of organic farming, sustainability and transparency to the lives of growers and artisans around the world.
Traidcraft was founded back in 1979, when the first catalogue was published introducing the first fair trade tea, coffee and sugar to the UK. In 1992 the Fair Trade Foundation was founded and has been going strong ever since.
St John’s Eco Challenge in April was focused around Fair Trade.
Some of us buy Fair Trade products from the supermarket – coffee and bananas and perhaps other items too.
Some of us buy directly from Traidcraft – as an organisation they are committed to support the marginalized which the commercial organisations may ignore; their whole focus is on building sustainable businesses in countries needing help rather than just gaining green credentials. They have been working hard to process all the orders that have flooded in.St John’s will be able to offer a subscription service with Traidcraft as soon as we are allowed to do so. This will allow bulk buying and regular support for Traidcraft.
Catalogues will be available together with order forms. Orders may be returned via email traidcraftstjohnsegham@gmail.com or to the Church Office.
Orders will be processed and available for collection from church or by other arrangement.