Fairtrade Fortnight: 22nd Feb - 2nd Mar
For two weeks each year, at the end of February and start of March, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to share the stories of the people who grow our food and drinks and who grow the cotton in our clothes - people who are often exploited and underpaid.
Fairtrade Fortnight was founded to promote the purchase of Fairtrade products, show support for producers of Fairtrade goods, and to emphasise the benefits of the Fairtrade mark.
What’s Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.
By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade tackles the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the most vulnerable. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
Earth Squared
One company passionate about combining great design and fabulous quality with direct benefits for the artisans that work with them, is Earth Squared, established some 19 years ago after Alison Henderson returned from two years’ volunteering in social projects in Guatemala. Passionate about social justice and with a head for business, Alison wanted to start a fair trade business with an emphasis very much on design and quality.
The company is accredited by the British Association of Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers (BAFTS) and its partners in Vietnam are currently applying for full membership of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO). The WFTO defines fair trade as “a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South.
Ethically Sourced, Artisan Made...
The Upcycled Home Co’s ethos is ‘Ethically Sourced Artisan Made’ and we are proud to continue to offer our customers a wide range of fabulous and fair trade fashion accessories from Earth Squared, including a collection of luxury wool and silk blend scarfs, oil cloth bags, cute purses and a beautiful range of new products for spring 2021, all promising to delight. Check out our online shop for our full range of FairTrade gifts....including our chocolate which helps empower women Cocoa farmers....mindful shopping at its very best.
