Fairtrade Fortnight -
28th February -March 12th 2011
This year at the shop we are helping the Fairtrade Foundation to go for the World Record of the longest fair trade cotton bunting in the World!
We have cotton bunting flags at the shop and throughout the fortnight we will be encouraging children to colour the bunting and then sending it to the Fairtrade Foundation for them to join up all the flags to go for the World Record.
Come and join us in the shop for some mega colouring!!
Children will also enjoy playing with the wonderful wooden fair trade toys we sell, which we have in the childrens' area to keep little fingers and minds busy whilst parents shop!
WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY
2011 World Fair Trade day is May 7th.
Watch this space for news of what we'll be up to.
Last year it was drumming in the market!
What is fair trade?
Fair trade seeks to transform the lives of poor producers in the developing world by enabling them to use their skills and resources to trade their way out of poverty. 
It seeks to challenge injustices in trading structures and practices that so often lead to the exploitation and marginalisation of poor people. Key elements of fair trade- Fair trade sets out to: • create opportunities for poor producers • ensure trading practices are fair, both in terms of payment and prices • ensure that children are not being exploited • ensure there is no discrimination • ensure working conditions are safe.
About Fair Trade
Fair Trade in Europe started as a grassroots movement about 40 years ago. The aim was to alleviate poverty in the 'Global South' - Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean - by building direct, sustainable relationships with disadvantaged producers and providing fair access to markets in the developed 'North'. The aims are the same now, but Fair Trade has developed into a powerful force, symbolised by a high level of European co-operation. Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair Trade organisations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of conventional international trade. All involved in Fair Trade accept that it has to include: paying fair prices to producers which reflect the true cost of production, supporting producer organisations in their social and environmental projects, promoting gender equality in pay and working conditions, advising on product development to increase access to markets, committing to long term relationships to provide stability and security and campaigning to highlight the unequal system of world trade which places profit above human rights and threatens our environment.
Why Shop at a BAFTS Fair Trade Shop?
Why do some products claim to be “fair trade’’ but do not carry the FAIRTRADE Mark? Some organizations, also called Alternative Trading Organisations (ATOs), are purely dedicated to trading fairly and have been doing so for many years before Fairtrade certification was established. You can find these organisations listed at WFTOor BAFTS. The process of agreeing international Fairtrade standards can take time, and for many of the products these organisations sell, there may not yet be standards available to certify their products. Most products carrying the FLO mark are foods/commodities like coffee, tea etc where it is very simple to apply a standard certification process.
Why aren’t handicrafts Fairtrade certified?
Fairtrade Certification and its system of minimum pricing were designed initially for commodity products. It is technically difficult to adapt this model of standardized minimum pricing to crafts and other products made by small-scale artisans, which are each unique, made of varied materials and have highly varied production processes and costs. However, FLO is currently working with others to explore whether we could work towards a certification programme for these products in the future.
When shopping for Fair trade products always look for the fair trade FLO label (below) or the WFTO logo or a BAFTS logo. Ask staff about Fair Trade Products.
AT HARVEST MOON YOU CAN BUY THE FOLLOWING FAIRLY TRADE PRODUCTS
CLOTHES, mens womens, babygrows, bibs.
ACCESSORIES, hats, scarves, gloves, bags, snoods, purses wallets, shopping bags, slippersocks.
JEWELLERY, silver rings, pendants, necklaces, earings, recycled fashion jewellery.
FURNISHINGS, throws, quilts, rugs, cushions, lighting, lampshades, strings of bells, wooden trugs, mirrors, mobiles, vases.
Incense, candles, greetings cards, gift wrap.
Carvings, musical instruments, (including drums and didgeridoos)
Gifts made from recycled materials, e.g. newspaper placemats, tin can animals and figures, juice carton boxes, old bicycle chain picture frames..
Fairies, jewellery boxes, felt hair ties and brooches, childrens novelties.
Singing bowls, buddhist prayer flags, tingshaws, prayer beeds.
Nativity sets, Xmas decorations, Crucifixes, holding crosses.
CDs of World Music.
Tea, coffee, chocolate, honey, jam, muesli, tissues, rubber gloves, cleaning cloths.
Where products are unpackaged or do not show the Fairtrade mark, we try to clearly label our fairly traded stock with a special harvest moon label but we are always happy to point out fair trade items and explain their stories.
In addition to fair trade products we have a huge range of eco friendly stock, hemp clothing and bags, recycled bottle drinking glasses, books and magazines on a wide variety of topics promoting environmental and personal awareness, local crafts and Hitchin Lavender products.
