Do you 'do' fairtrade?

[Lovin_It]

Just wondered given the recent increase in fairtrade sales whether you guys actively select fairtrade prodcuts?

I personally do always buy fairtrade coffee, chocolate, 'geobars' (cereal bars), tea, and various sauces. One thing that kinda gets me is the fact the companies are still making money out of it so I buy all mine from my local Oxfam store.

A mini clip about Fairtrade is here

http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/suppliers_growers_coffee_film.htm

Here is a report from the Independent Newspaper (UK) abou the massive increase in fairtrade products

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article2305572.ece

Thanks for your views and your opinions would be appreciated!

 

[Elegance.Is.Refusal.]

fairtrade chocolate and geobars are devine

when i live away from home i cant really buy these much being a poor student its usually own brand supermarket stuff. if i could i'd buy fairtrade all the time.

 

[Feline]

I buy coffee from Oxfam and also use a fair trade shop in York called 'Shared Earth' which is fully fair trade for cards, stationary, gifts etc.

 

[TheKiwi]

I try to buy fairtrade items as much as possible, but it's hard when I have to shop at the local supermarket. I'm a college student and sometimes can't afford fairtrade things such as chocolate. I have to buy Nestle.

 

[VainJane]

I remember seeing Fair Trade products when I was living in Europe but up here in North Washington I don't see many FT products.

I know I sound like I'm kicking puppies but the truth is that even if those products were available to me, I would deliberately not buy them. I'm not an economist so I can't say that I know everything about Fair Trade but in my own opinion of the Fair Trade issue, it just sounds like an economic/social fad that might end up making things worse instead of better.

Like I said, I'm not an economist so I don't know everything about the FT issue but for now it's a fad I don't buy into.

 

[msmartimar]

VainJane - see you point...kind of along the lines of the WWDJ trend...

I do also see the good in FT products. I think the key is to not flaunt the fact that we might chose to buy them, just buy them and know we are doing a good things.

IN the most recent TIME I glanced over an article about Bill Bass who has started a new FT Clothing Line. I will read it tonight, I am sure that it is good!

 

[tifa]

Nope, I'm too skint.

 

[PrinceOfCats]

I remember seeing Fair Trade products when I was living in Europe but up here in North Washington I don't see many FT products.

I know I sound like I'm kicking puppies but the truth is that even if those products were available to me, I would deliberately not buy them. I'm not an economist so I can't say that I know everything about Fair Trade but in my own opinion of the Fair Trade issue, it just sounds like an economic/social fad that might end up making things worse instead of better.

Like I said, I'm not an economist so I don't know everything about the FT issue but for now it's a fad I don't buy into.

I fail to see how paying fair wages could make things worse.

 

[nextnewface]

I try to, but I'm a University student... I do drink FT coffee (Starbucks!) and buy FT chocolate... but that's about it. I'm sure once I make my own money I'll be able to do more
​

 

[BerrySweet]

Nope, I'm too skint.

What does skint mean?

 

[yourbestfriend]

What does skint mean?

Broke

 

[MulletProof]

I fail to see how paying fair wages could make things worse.

must have a "liberal" tone .. also synonym for cursed in some parts of the world.

..they don't sell fairtrade products here.

 

[kanita]

Nooooo

 

[Lovin_It]

Why it is important to buy 'Fairtrade' (book)

This book retails at the bargain price of £8. I haven't (yet) bought it but read about it on a 'rival' website. It is supposed to be a very good read so I have just ordered my copy.

Anyone to follow?

Is it even important to buy 'fairtrade'? Do you?

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/ProductDetails.aspx?catalog=HighStNew&product=HN234044

 

[seanutbutter]

Never have, probably never will.

 

[homeboy]

I don't care much for fairtrade but I did buy fairtrade chocolate chip cookies are Uni on thursday.

 

[chip45]

I bought fairtrade chocolate once, but it was so expensive. I could've bought two supermarket chocolate bars for the price of one fairtrade one. Don't think I'll buy fairtrade anything for a long while (unless I strike rich).

 

[Cindysaurus]

i support the idea of fair trade, but i'm too poor to really pursue buying fair trade products. :[ it's difficult!

 

[Deborah]

I have bought fairtrade products before but I don't do it as a rule. Its more if its there its there. That said the divine chocolate bars are yummy.

 

[Alejandro]

well, i buy fair trade coffee, that's about it. i don't get paid so well either so where's the fairness there?