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Can we make the world a better place in light of a global pandemic?

Can we make the world a better place in light of a global pandemic?

Since COVID-19 has rocked the globe, the way we see the world has changed. Research tells us that two out of three people believe that businesses (like us) should be doing more to solve societies problems in tough times. And the pandemic has certainly highlighted the injustices of society, the world over.

That’s why our relationship with Fairtrade is so important. The Fairtrade system strives to get a better deal for farmers through fairer prices for their products, decent working conditions, gender empowerment and sustainability measures. It hones in on all those potential injustices through the supply chain.

Choose the world you want

The world we want is one where the global community doesn’t leave anyone behind in the face of global issues, like COVID-19. Fairtrade producer organisations in 55 countries are benefiting from the €2.1 million Fairtrade Producer Relief Fund that is helping thousands of farmers, workers and their communities cope with the immediate impact of the pandemic.

Given the unprecedented nature of COVID-19 and its evolving impact, Fairtrade continues to mobilise resources to meet the growing health and economic needs of producers affected across the globe. Fairtrade moved quickly to allow flexibility regarding the use of the Fairtrade Premium funds that we pay; meaning that producers had ready access to finance for things like hand sanitation and PPE. An additional €1m investment has also established the Fairtrade Producer Resilience Fund to support producers’ longer-term economic recovery.

One example of the Fairtrade system in action, is The Karmatera Fairtrade Cooperative in Indonesia – a collective of coconut sugar producers who used their Fairtrade Producer Relief Fund to secure food packages for 360 co-op and community members in eleven villages. Each member received rice, eggs, vegetables, noodles, cooking oil and milk. The co-op then distributed vegetable seeds and polybags to 500 farmers in central Java to help strengthen local food security. This also reduced the need for farmers to shop at local markets, reducing potential exposure to the virus.

By working with Fairtrade farmers and producers, we’re choosing to give people a fair deal because the cotton we purchase reaches a Fairtrade Minimum Price, which covers the sustainable cost of production (or market price when it’s higher). And, over and above that, we pay a Fairtrade Premium. The Fairtrade Premium goes into a communal fund for the workers and farmers who grow our products to use – as they see fit – to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions.

It’s what sets Fairtrade apart and why we are proud of the impact we make together. When you shop, choose the world you want. Choose a world where the environment is taken care of, women are respected and everyone is treated fairly.

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