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Fairtrade Fortnight begins today aiming to raise awareness of the critical need for fair prices for farmers and workers overseas.
In Guernsey, a series of events – including a family treasure hunt around St Peter Port and a children’s competition to design a Fairtrade 30th birthday cake – will culminate in a Fairtrade wine tasting on Thursday 19 September.
Visiting experts from Argentina and the UK will lead guests on an exploration of six Fairtrade wines and share stories of how Fairtrade Standards are ensuring that farmers and workers are receiving a fair price as well as an additional premium to help their community invest in essential services such as education, sanitation and health care.
Entitled "Be the Change. Choose Fairtrade", Fairtrade Fortnight has moved to September for the first time, as the organisation marks 30 years since Fairtrade products first hit shelves.
The campaign this year will emphasise how the cumulative effect of shopping choices has contributed to change, allowing farmers and agricultural workers overseas to create a better future – but more change is urgently needed.
Hannah Davis, Secretary of the Fairtrade Guernsey Steering Group, said: "Each time you choose Fairtrade when you shop, you are acting in solidarity with farmers who grow your food.
"Fairtrade means producers receive a fairer price, can afford to feed their families, send their children to school, and cover their farming costs – including adopting new practices to make their farms more resilient in the face of the climate crisis."
Guernsey been a Fairtrade Island for 18 years.
"We know that many local people and businesses now buy Fairtrade staples, such as tea, coffee, sugar and bananas, on a regular basis. That is why we have chosen to highlight the growing range of Fairtrade wines through our tasting event.
"You might not think to look for the Fairtrade logo when you are choosing a bottle as a gift or to accompany a meal – but there are some really excellent options now, and we are delighted to have a representative of La Riojana Cooperative coming all the way from Argentina to share his expertise and stories of Fairtrade grape growers and workers with us."
Wine grape farming and winemaking are time-consuming industries, strenuous and labour-intensive.
The processes involved in the production of wine often lead to poor labour standards and living conditions for both small wine grape farmers and hired labourers on large plantations.
Fairtrade Standards are designed to improve employment conditions and protect the rights of workers on wine grape plantations and to support small wine grape farmers' organisations in gaining more control within supply chains and increase their incomes.
There are 38 Fairtrade wine producer organisations worldwide, across South Africa, Chile and Argentina, representing more than 5,440 farmers and workers.
The wine tasting event on 19th September, supported by Channel Islands Co-operative, will showcase six wines from two of these organisations based in Argentina and South Africa, including the recently launched Co-op Irresistible Tilimuqui Argentinean Sparkling Brut.
Tickets must be purchased in advance HERE.
Carl Winn, Head of Community and Sustainability at CI Coop said: "As the founding retailers of Fairtrade in Guernsey, we take immense pride in having supported the Fairtrade movement for over 30 years, with Fairtrade products consistently available on our shelves. Our commitment has led to over £2.5 million in annual Fairtrade sales across the Channel Islands, making a tangible difference to communities worldwide. For example, our support has had a significant impact in places like the Famatina Valley in La Rioja, Argentina, where Fairtrade empowers local farmers to thrive in the agriculturally rich region."
There are now around 5,000 Fairtrade products available to buy in the UK, and all major retailers and many brands use Fairtrade certified ingredients.
Over three decades, 10 million people – farmers, workers and their families – have built healthier, stronger, and more resilient communities, with improved choice and better life chances through access to healthcare and education.
They have responded to climate crises by investing in better farming practices.
Public support and company commitments generated £1.7 billion in Fairtrade Premium payments globally between 1994 and 2022.
In 2023, retail sales of Fairtrade products generated around £28 million in Fairtrade Premium payments for producers.
To find out more about Fairtrade Fortnight events happening in Guernsey, to buy tickets for events and to enter competitions, visit www.fairtradeguernsey.com/fairtrade-fortnight or the Facebook page @FaitradeGuernsey.
• Pop-up stall in St Peter Port Market Square, 10am-12pm on Saturday 14th September.
• Schools' competition (deadline for entries Monday 23rd September). Design a Fairtrade 30th cake to celebrate Fairtrade's anniversary. Three winners will see their designs brought to life by professional cakemakers from Old Government House Hotel, Anni's Hideaway at Moores, and the Dessert Bar at Hotel Jerbourg.
• Family Fairtrade Trail (9th to 22nd September). Follow a trail around St Peter Port and find 12 Fairtrade products displayed in participating businesses. Make a note of the letters on the pictures and rearrange them to make a Fairtrade slogan to be in with the chance of winning a prize donated by M&S.
• Fairtrade wine tasting event, 6-8pm at Old Government House Hotel. £20 ticket price includes a guided tasting of six bottles led by the Cooperative Group's wine buyer, Edward Robinson. Raffle tickets to win bottles will also be on sale.
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