Fairtrade Fortnight - 21 February to 6 March 2022
At October Books we endeavor to ensure as many as possible of our products are Fairtrade as we believe this is this is one of the best way to keep our food sources both equitable and sustainable.
Fairtrade is a system of certification that aims to ensure a set of standards are met in the production and supply of a product or ingredient. For farmers and workers, Fairtrade means workers’ rights, safer working conditions and fairer pay. For shoppers it means high quality, ethically produced products.
We have a wide range of products from our Divine Chocolates to our teas and coffee and lots in between that bear this mark of accreditation and we proudly stock as much of these goods as possible. We are always looking to replace products in our range with ones that have this stamp on them to improve both our procurement process and what we offer to our community.
Fairtrade fortnight is for two weeks each year at the end of February and start of March, where thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to share the stories of the people who grow our food and drinks, mine our gold and who grow the cotton in our clothes, people who are often exploited and underpaid.
Below is some information on how to get more involved in this fantastic couple of weeks and where to go to learn more about it from the Fairtrade website itself….
Fairtrade Fortnight
‘Can you help us get the message out even louder this Fairtrade Fortnight? Sign up now to receive an invite to our preview event and be the first to hear about our headline events!
In 2022, our online Choose the World you Want Festival will return from 21 February to 6 March. Last year’s festival saw campaigners, shoppers, students and businesses come together in a show of support for the farmers behind our food on the front line of the climate crisis. From online panels to bake-offs and coffee mornings over 50 virtual events took place as part of our virtual festival, with supporters sharing the power of Fairtrade and what needs to happen next to ensure farmers and workers are put front and centre of conversations on how to tackle the climate crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us more than ever how interconnected we are globally. This interconnection is at the very heart of the Fairtrade message and is where your role begins. You are part of the Fairtrade movement, and you have the power to drive long-term change, not only with your shopping choices but with your support in spreading the message.
Since last Fairtrade Fortnight we have seen the G7 and COP26 take place. Over 33,000 campaigners joined 1.8m Fairtrade farmers and workers in backing the Be Fair With Your Climate Promise challenge to world leaders at the UN COP26 summit. But frustration came as the wealthiest nations failed to recognise the urgent need to invest in farmer expertise by delaying their promised $100bn annual funding to the most climate vulnerable countries until 2023. That isn’t good enough.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED IN FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT?
- Our 2022 festival will be online again, however, if you want to and feel comfortable to run a local public event in your community then please do! Any and all events, online and offline, are welcome from stalls to panels, bake-offs to coffee mornings and quiz nights. We are only able to offer virtual speakers in 2022 but if you would like a staff speaker from the Fairtrade Foundation to join your virtual event, please tell us a little bit more about what you have planned.
- Can you reach out to other local groups to share the Fairtrade message? Do you have another local environmental or social justice group in your community that you could present to or join up with this Fortnight?
- You can now order new posters and an explainer leaflet on Fairtrade and the climate crisis to help spread the word in your local community.
- Fairtrade Foundation’s festival events will open for registration in late January. But you can sign up now to receive an invite to our Fortnight preview event on 25th January 2022 and be the first to know all about them.
- You can also use our online resources to spread the word. You will find posts and banners for your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, press releases, digital posters, images, videos and even Zoom backgrounds! Head to our Resource Library to see everything available. You can also check out our Digital and Social media guide if you need support.
- We have also updated our climate key messages and FAQs following COP26 to support you in creating your events and social media posts.
- An updated PowerPoint presentation on Fairtrade and climate will also be available for you by the end of January.
