Hospital ups its use of Fairtrade products

Friday 01 November 2024

Tea, coffee and bananas at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital are now Fairtrade after a review of what was on offer showed they were just as affordable as other products.

The Fairtrade Guernsey Steering Group and the Overseas Aid & Development Commission, which is responsible for supporting and promoting the use of Fairtrade across the States, has awarded a We are a Fairtrade Supporter plaque to Health & Social Care for its efforts.

Fairtrade Guernsey and the Commission approached the Catering Services Manager, James Scowen, to see if he would consider using additional Fairtrade products to the sugar and hot chocolate already used at the PEH.

This led to HSC undertaking a review which discovered that there had been a significant reduction in the price of certain Fairtrade products, which brought them inline with non-Fairtrade alternatives.

HSC President Deputy Al Brouard said that the committee fully endorses the sentiments regarding the value of Fairtrade and the positive impact this has on the world’s poorest communities. 

“HSC Catering Service already sources Fairtrade sugar and hot chocolate and I am pleased that the Committee has also recently switched to a supply of Fairtrade tea, single service coffee sticks and bananas, resulting in an annual increase of over 180,000 servings of Fairtrade products within the Princess Elizabeth Hospital. 

“As the Fairtrade mark certifies that products have been produced in conditions which meet certain basic ethical standards, the Committee is delighted to support such an initiative without any additional cost to the taxpayer.

“Mindful of the financial restraints across the States and within HSC, purchasing decisions need to weigh up a number of considerations. Despite the accepted benefits of sourcing Fairtrade products, as acknowledged in the States procurement policy, the use of Fairtrade products within HSC will remain under review, hopefully to increase but, with value for money and quality a key consideration.”

Pictured: Deputy Al Brouard admires the Fairtrade plaque.

Deputy Blin, President of Overseas Aid & Development Commission, said: “This initiative undermines the common misconception that Fairtrade products are always more expensive than non-Fairtrade products. I would urge other States Committees, businesses, and members of the public to consider making the switch to Fairtrade. It does not have to cost you anymore and morally it is the right choice to make.”

Hannah Davis, Secretary of Fairtrade Guernsey, said: “I would like to thank and congratulate the Committee for Health & Social Care for the choice it has made and for leading the way in regard to Fairtrade.

"Buying Fairtrade means buying products that are produced under working conditions which meet health and safety standards, which avoid the use or indentured or child labour, and where products are bought at a price that enables workers and their communities to earn a fair wage and become more resilient to shocks such as climate change. Guernsey is a Fairtrade Island and the support of the Committee demonstrates this.”

Pictured top (l-r): Mary Veron, Fairtrade Steering Committee; Brad Dawes, HSC Deputy Catering Manager; Deputy Al Brouard; Deputy Chris Blin; Ann Battye, Fairtrade Steering Committee; James Scowen, HSC Catering Services Manager.