AGM Update

Fair Trader reports 24% increase in sales for 2013/4!

Stephen Sheard, Chair of the Fair Trader’s Board, told members at the fourth AGM that sales had increased by 24.6% during 2013/4 reducing losses to £444 compared with £12,144 in the previous year. He said “Fair Trader is now cash positive and effectively managed by a young team of staff, supported by our dedicated volunteers. As part of the global co-operative movement we have exciting opportunities to expand on-line and internationally, and we have recently launched our first own-branded product which will be followed by a full range in due course.”

Summer Food Treats

Here at Fair Trader we have some great Palestinian products by Zaytoun in at the moment, from olive oil to sun-dried tomatoes, from almonds to dates. Perfect for a summer salad or as an appetizer when sat outside in the garden one evening while we are having some fantastic weather!

Zaytoun was founded in 2004 with their mission as a Community Interest Company and a co-operative; the welfare of the producing communities.

They have planted 50,000 olive trees since 2005, building farmers’ capacities to work collectively. Also Zaytoun is Fair Trade and a member of the WFTO.

They are all available to be purchased in our store which is located in the center of Holmfirth near The Wrinkled Stocking and Nora Batty’s famous steps. They can also be purchased via our online shop!

Ethical Cyclewear Company, Veleco Makes Fair Trader Own Brand a Reality!

Grace, on of our youngest volunteers modelling the REcycle t-shirt in black

This week we have made a very exciting step forward here at Fair Trader. Our own brand is here!

Charity of the Year: Root to Fruit Tree Nursery (Chinteche, Malawi)

Once again Fair Trader will this year be supporting a charity alongside our normal work in developing fair and ethical trading. In previous years we have raised not insubstantial amounts of money for groups such as the St. Vincent Banana Farmers and Hands of Hope. This year we have chosen to support Root to Fruit!

Root to Fruit produce tree seedlings from seed for distribution to community groups including schools, clinics, orphan care programs, HIV/AIDS support groups, agricultural clubs, and family groups. Northern Malawi has experienced significant problems of soil erosion due to uncontrolled clearance for firewood and agricultural land, as well as reduced availability of fruit and other forest products which are a key source of food, medicines, and employment in this very poor rural area .

Fairtrade Fortnight 2014: MAKE FOOD FAIR Party

Scrumptious home-made Fairtrade goodies were on offer in the caverns of Fair Trader on March the 8th as our volunteers did battle to see who could come up with the most delicious recipe containing the most Fairtrade ingredients.