Why switch to Fairtrade products?
Portsmouth has been a Fairtrade City since 2004; Gosport a Fairtrade Borough since 2008 and Havant a Fairtrade Borough from 2009. Lots of local firms have found out about the benefits of Fairtrade and switched to products with the Fairtrade Mark.
The reason is that many of the products we buy from poorer countries give farmers barely enough to live on. Health and safety regulations are often ignored, child labour is not uncommon.
Fairtrade aims to change this. It means a good deal for producers who get a fair price and money to help with community projects. So if you switch to products with the Fairtrade Mark, it means your company can help improve the lives of the farmers and workers who produce the products you sell and create a sustainable supply chain.
It also means your customers can see the real ethical commitment of your firm. Independent GlobeScan research shows 9/10 consumers who recognise the FAIRTRADE Certification Mark regard it as a trusted label. Four out of five say that having an ethical label on a product showing it is sustainable increases the likelihood of them buying a product. And you can be sure that the Mark is only given to companies which meet stringent criteria. Other labels make ethical claims but have not been independently assessed and usually set lower criteria.
Many consumers think the quality of Fairtrade marked goods is better than the equivalent non-labelled products. There are thousands of products to choose from too and the prices are definitely competitive.
It’s easy to find Fairtrade tea, coffee, sugar chocolate, cakes. But there are thousands of other products. You could also think about Fairtrade certified cotton for company t-shirts and uniforms, Fairtrade cleaning materials, Fairtrade rice, oil or dried fruit or Fairtrade flowers and wine.
Items are now widely available from catering suppliers, wholesalers, online and all major supermarkets. Speak to your existing supplier as you may be able to source from them. You can use the National Fairtrade Purchasing Guide to help you find a supplier of Fairtrade products.
Promotional materials
If you want to promote Fairtrade in your café, restaurant or B&B, you can order free packs of table-talkers, leaflets, window stickers and posters from the Fairtrade shop.
Your local Group can help
We can help with publicity, posters, leaflets and talks about Fairtrade at Work so please do contact us to tell us what you are planning. https://www.gosportfairtradeaction.org.uk/?page_id=812.
We can list your business in our next leaflet and on our website.
Nick Leach, the Head of Catering Services at Portsmouth University uses Fairtrade products in all his outlets and is happy to speak to businesses which are wanting to source new products. Phone 02392844703
Email Nick.Leach@port.ac.uk
Tell us
Do please contact us too to let us know what you have done, so we can update our records, add to the list of suppliers above and, if you like, list you among the businesses using Fairtrade at Work that we plan to publish on this website. https://www.gosportfairtradeaction.org.uk/?page_id=812
Sourcing products
It’s easy to make Fairtrade products available to your employees, clients and customers.
First, ask your existing supplier if they can supply them.
Small businesses may prefer to buy from local shops and supermarkets listed in the Portsmouth and Gosport directories
Traidcraft www.traidcraft.co.uk Traidcraft supply a wide range of Fairtrade goods and there are a number of local reps who sell their products at churches, craft fairs etc. But their online catalogue will probably have everything you need from tea, coffee and sugar, to kitchen roll, washing up liquid and rubber gloves, and a range of fair trade office supplies. They also offer a no-hassle credit account with invoicing facility, easy ordering and free delivery on orders over £50
http://www.traidcraft.co.uk/buy-fair-trade-for-your-workplace
Regional Suppliers include:
Ace Office Supplies, Bournemouth, [used by Gosport Borough Council] tel 01202 240000. email: sales@aceffice.co.uk
Bidvest 3663, [www.3663.co.uk] Salisbury Road, Downton, Salisbury. SP5 3HY tel 0870 3663 650 [3663 supplies Portsmouth City Council]
Booker [ http://www.booker.co.uk/help/branchfinder.aspx ] Williams Road, Airport Service Road, Portsmouth. Hants. PO3 5SP Tel 02392 673911 Fax 02392 690723
Brakes [ www.brake.co.uk/ ]
CafeDirect is one of the leading Fairtrade tea and coffee companies.http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/cafedirect
Coffee Select http://www.coffee-select.co.uk/ Unit 13, Lion Court, Roentgen Road, Basingstoke RG24 8QU
023 8022 6215
Infinity Foods [ www.infinityfoods.co.uk ] 67, Norway Street, Portslade. East Sussex, BN41 1AE Tel 01273 424060
KoolSkools [http://www.koolskools.co.uk/fairtrade-business-uniforms-and-clothing.php ] 02380 283223 local supplier (Southampton) of workwear and schoolwear
Matthew Algie [www.matthewalgie.com/index.html ]
Mozzo Coffee [www.mozzocoffee.com (new website coming there soon)] 02380 700 007. 8 Elgin Road, Southampton. SO15 1JP
Palmer & Harvey [ http://www.palmerharvey.co.uk/ ] 11 Barnes Wallis Road, Segensworth East, Fareham. Hants. PO15 5TT; Tel 01489 555800; Fax 01489 555883
PEROS http://www.peros.co.uk/ Unit 3, Lincoln Business Centre, Lincoln Road, Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe, Bucks. HP12 3RD. You can order a Peros down-loadable catalogue on line and products by Tel. 01494 436426 or Fax 01494 769 545. [Peros supplies Portsmouth City Council and the University of Portsmouth]
Vending Machines – Check these out:
Fairtrade Vending [http://www.fairtradevending.co.uk/ ]Telephone:01634 726 163 ; Fax: 01634 560 759 Email: info@fairtradevending.co.uk
Revive Vending http://www.revivevending.co.uk/vending-machines.phpTel 01725 513082 [Hampshire is part of their core area] They say: “Many of our customers have now switched to Fairtrade and ethically traded products and the feedback has been good.”
More Suppliers?
Premcrest, www.premcrest.co.uk Unit 3, Station Way, Wortley Road,Armley, Leeds, LS12 3HQ ( Highly recommended by Lee-on-the-Solent B&B host for their range and reliability)
The Out of Home National Fairtrade Purchasing directory on the Fairtrade Foundation Website lists nationwide suppliers who are registered to supply the out of home market. [You can also request a hard copy on 0203 301 5001] http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/en/for-business/ways-of-working-with-fairtrade/how-to-stock-fairtrade
Tell us
Do please contact us too to let us know what you have done, so we can update our records, add to the list of suppliers above and, if you like, list you among the businesses using Fairtrade at Work that we plan to publish on this website.
This page is in the process of being updated ( 06-09-2020)