NEW! We asked local retailers of Fairtrade goods to tell us about their experience in becoming Fairtrade dealers.
We asked Chris & Ruth Fairchild to tell us something about their early experiences in their new shop. We will be happy to hear from other Fairtrade suppliers who would be willing to share their experiences with us.
After a year or so mulling over the possibilities of a mid-life career change (not 'crisis'!) and running a 'green' shop in Scarborough, we were finally galvanised into taking action in the summer of 2006. While on holiday in the Borders, we came upon The Green Shop in Berwick-on-Tweed. An apparently small shop turned out to be considerably larger as we went into a total of four rooms stretching back from the street, stocking an amazing Aladdin's cave of organic, fairly-traded and eco-friendly products.
Looking at the size and make-up of the town of Berwick, we thought, 'If there, why not here?' and started to look for premises. At the same time we discovered the local Fairtrade campaign and became involved ourselves. The old Hardie's bakery on Lower Victoria Road seemed suitable for our purposes: reasonably close to the centre with plenty of storage space (or room for expansion) and in a street already turning into a sort of 'Foodie alley'.
So, just over a year later, here we are. Like the Green Shop in Berwick, we are trying to cover a range of what might loosely be called 'green' goods, hoping to encourage local consumers to do the planet some good by eating healthy organic food, sourced locally wherever possible, and by offering a choice of fairly-traded goods from the third world as well as eco-friendly products.
As a result, we can now offer fairly-traded coffee, tea, breakfast cereals, snacks, foods (including rice, honey, jams and pulses) and chocolate bars from at least ten companies, as well as clothing and household linen from Gossypium, Black Yak and new this month, Bishopston. As a small shop, we are unable to keep a huge stock of clothing so far: however, Gossypium and Black Yak items are usually available to order within a week or so!
After six months, things are picking up and the business shows signs of going in the right direction: come and see for yourself!
Chris Fairchild
www.fairchildsgreenshop.co.uk
Meg Thomas and Dave Ashford attend a number of music festivals every year throughout the UK. Frustrated by the lack of choice and the unhealthy 'burger and chips oriented' food available from festival catering stalls, in September 2007 they made the decision to launch Tangipan's Kitchen. Tangipan's Kitchen is a mobile catering service providing a range of quality healthy and organic meals, snacks and drinks.
Tangipan's Kitchen is firmly committed to ethical trading, and has therefore chosen to use Fairtrade products where possible. Meg and Dave are keen to do their bit to create a fairer and more just society and to contribute to sustainable global development. Currently Fairtrade hot chocolate, tea, coffee and fruit juices are on offer at Tangipan's Kitchen.
Tangipan's Kitchen get lots of positive comments from people using their catering service, and customers often mention how refreshing it is to have the option of Fairtrade products at festivals. Meg and Dave are firm believers that every big change starts with a small step, and think that the Fairtrade movement will grow if more small companies like themselves make the switch.
In addition to their concern for humanity, Tangipan's Kitchen also does its bit for the environment and for animals. The cups, plates and cutlery are all fully biodegradable or compostable, and all food is suitable for vegetarians and vegans as well as meat eaters. Look out for Tangipan's Kitchen at outdoor events near you in 2008!
Meg Thomas
www.tangipan.co.uk
Fairtrade goodies are flying off the shelves at Seamer Stores, says owner Steph Summers
Steph was keen to stock Fairtrade goods in her Seamer Stores after a conversation with a friend from Pindar School where the Fairtrade message is being sspread with great enthusiasm! Now she stocks an ever-widening range of Fairtrade goods and is preparing a special area of the shop to disply them. From wine to chocolate, snacks to fresh fruit drinks - very popular with local schoolchildren becasue they taste so good, said Steph! - they're flying off the shelves.
Like any other business, Seamer Stores has to shop around for the best value suppliers and Steph is learning very quickly! So it's not just that great warm glow of doing something for our disadvantaged neighbours around the world, it's also the delight of satisfied repeat customers and the constant ringing of the till!