llandaff - a fairtrade diocese since 2005
This means that we:
- ensure that a range of Fairtrade products is available and served in the Diocese, with Fairtrade products made available and served in every diocesan meeting, wherever held.
- ensure that only Fairtrade tea and coffee are used and/or sold in at least 60% of Anglican churches within the Diocese, through PCCs passing a resolution to become a 'Fairtrade Church'.
- raise awareness of Fairtrade issues in parishes so that individuals in churches and our communities might be encouraged to engage in concerns of justice as part of their normal shopping routine.
- seek to create opportunities within the media to communicate issues of Fairtrade and make use of the Fairtrade logo to advertise our commitment..
- have established a Steering Group to make annual review and see that the set bench marks listed above are being met and that the matters surrounding Fairtrade are being fully comprehended and promoted within the Diocese.
For more information, please contact Diocesan World Mission Team (Fairtrade Group)
Sian Jones 029 20811150 Llandaff Deanery
Audrey Morris 01443 202984 Pontypridd Deanery
Peter Lewis 01639 721964 Neath Deanery
John Webber 01446 792324 Vale of Glamorgan Deanery
Chris Reaney 01443 450335 Caerphilly Deanery
Why be a Fairtrade Church?
Responsible churches support Fairtrade because it strengthens the position of poor producers enabling them to find solutions and tackle their poverty.
For growers, Fairtrade means prices that always cover the cost of production and allow for sustainable livelihoods, no matter how low the world price goes for their crops.
For workers, Fairtrade means decent working conditions, and wages that meet international and local labour standards.
The Fairtrade price also includes an additional social premium so that growers can invest in their communities and businesses to
- Improve their homes, education and healthcare facilities
- Build roads
- Diversify into other crops & projects
How can you become a Fairtrade Church?
To become a Fairtrade church, your PCC needs to pass a resolution to use tea and coffee that carries the Fairtrade Mark. From this step you can then seek to make people in your community aware of trade justice and encourage individuals/ groups and businesses to chose Fairtrade products.
If your PCC agrees, you are asked to inform the Llandaff Fairtrade Campaign, who will then send you a Fairtrade church certificate to display.
But does Fairtrade really work?
The Fairtrade Foundation works in partnership with growers, and these people agree that Fairtrade enables their communities to live with dignity. You can read testimonies on their web site.
But we don't like the taste of Fairtrade tea and coffee.
Since the Fairtrade movement first began the quality and choice of products have greatly increased. There are now many different brands available to suit all tastes.
But it costs more than our usual brands.
Fairtrade tea and coffee costs well under a penny more per cup, but because growers get a much higher price, it makes a big difference to them.
But we already give to charity.
Fairtrade is not a charity; it is about trading in a fair way with communities who often have little economic strength.
But we don't know how to buy products.
Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Safeway, Somerfield, Spar, Tesco & Waitrose supermarkets all have Fairtrade products. You can buy from Oxfam and other shops with a focus on Fairtrade. You can also buy on-line or by mail order from Traidcraft. Many of these suppliers stock products in catering size, useful for church events.
8 ways of promoting Fairtrade in your parish:
* Check out Fairtrade at places of work. Work with parishioners to look at work canteens, vending machines, meetings. Catering managers are often able to source Fairtrade products from an existing supplier. Contact Fairtrade Foundation for details.
* Use some entertainment to help children or youth of your church understand the issues behind Fairtrade. Run a mini competition to count how many FAIRTRADE products they can see within a given time in a local supermarket. And of course, give a prize for the winner. Some children might like a competition to design your own parish posters promoting Fairtrade.
* Organise a parish social event which encourages parishioners to check out the taste of Fairtrade products. With well over 500 things to buy, try inviting people to hold a dinner party using a few Fairtrade Products, invite people to a Fairtrade wine tasting night, arrange a parish meal with Fairtrade food, make your next cake stall one with baking using Fairtrade sugar, dried fruit, chocolate etc.
* Engage your local café in the ideas of Fairtrade. Many will be interested in promoting products which are suggested by customers, and you can always encourage parishioners to ask for this to happen.
* Set up a Fairtrade stall in church. There is no need to do this regularly, but just at occasional bring and buy sales, fundraising events. See our material for details of setting up stalls or just providing a 'try before you buy' stall.
Use the materials provided to help your local schools develop the ideas behind shopping and Fairtrade. Many Primary school teachers appreciate help in developing teaching that connects to their required topics, and Fairtrade can cover all sorts - from geography, arithmetic, ethics, art, cooking...
* Work on your PCC Fairtrade resolution. Consider appointing someone to keep track of how the parish is implementing the resolution. If your PCC has not yet discussed passing their own Fairtrade resolution, put this on the PCC agenda and contact the world mission group for details.
* Use Fairtrade products in any raffle prizes connected with church. Several Mothers' Union groups have decided to use Fairtrade prizes and winners are pleasantly surprised and excited to win a nice collection of food or wine!
Use the material provided to explore the theology behind promoting Fairtrade. This can be a great way of nurturing discipleship, helping people grapple with issues of faith and life-style.
* See if you can benefit from any new initiatives from the Fairtrade Foundation. There is no need to feel overwhelmed, but joining in with a national campaigns such as Fairtrade Fortnight (every March) means that lots of material and hard work has already been done - we can simply use the best of resources for our own needs.
www.fairtrade.org.uk www.Traidcraft.co.uk
Magazine Article on
Fairtrade Issues in the Parish
Ten years ago when most people went shopping, perhaps there were two main concerns on their mind as they chose what to buy: is this product good quality and does this product come at a good price? Quality and Price meant that different people bought different brands of food - I might buy the cheapest store-brand baked beans, but I prefer to buy 'Kellogg's' Cornflakes.
These days, supermarkets and corner-shops keep attempting to draw customers to focus on cheaper prices and good value, but just sticking to these ideals can lock customers into a way of shopping that automatically directs us first and foremost to concentrate on ourselves as though price and quality are all that matters. In contrast to these trends, many people over the last 20 years or so have increasingly considered not only issues of quality and price, but also that of ethics - if I chose to buy this particular brand, what impact might it have on the people who grew and produced it overseas or at home? What impact might it have on the ecology, and was it produced humanely? For Christians, who bring their worship of God into every aspect of their life and lifestyle, does their faith have any impact on their shopping habits?
Proverbs 13:23 holds together a key issue which can be traced throughout Old and New Testament teaching…" the fields of the poor may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away." When I go shopping, what effect do my choices have on others, particularly on those who have very little? The Fairtrade Campaign reminds me that in the complex world of international trade, my small purchase can have a positive influence on poor communities as well as providing me with a product that offers value through a good price and good quality. When we chose a Fairtrade product, we know that producers in the developing world are getting a fair price that covers the cost of sustainable living.
The wide variety of products on sale in supermarkets usually means that Fairtrade coffee, tea and chocolate etc can compete very well on issues of quality and cost. As I see it, the challenge for Christians today is to express our faith through every-day living so that we worship God in all that we do. It is not suggested that we switch all our shopping to Fairtrade, but many people in churches in our Diocese set themselves a target of buying at least one Fairtrade product each time they do a large shop and actively consider what Fairtrade products are on sale to them.
Why not spend some time reflecting on what is important to you in your shopping habits, and consider how you apply your faith's teaching when you shop. For ideas, visit the world mission pages on the diocesan web site www.churchinwales.org.uk/Llandaff or www.fairtrade.org.uk
Peter Lewis, Vale of Neath Parish
Fairtrade Quiz for your Magazine
What type of product called Maya Gold, was the first to receive the Fairtrade status?
What Fairtrade product is selling the most (by value) in the UK?
Which of the following can be bought as Fairtrade products: vanilla pods, fresh chillies, honey, after dinner mints, Earl Grey tea, avocados, fudge...?
What is the latest set of products (since November 2005) to hold a Fairtrade certification?
What city became the world's first Fairtrade Capital in 2004, meeting provision of Fairtrade
cafes, shops and promotion of Fairtrade products in voluntary & civic organisations ?
Why do you think many Christians feel passionate about buying Fairtrade products?
What Fairtrade products are not meant for consumption?
Answers: 1. chocolate. 2. coffee. 3. All of them. 4. clothing (Fairtrade cotton). 5. Cardiff. 7. roses, footballs, greeting cards, clothing.
Tips on arranging a Fairtrade stall
Most communities have access to supermarkets, and many people will be able to buy Fairtrade products there. However, sometimes the choice is limited and supermarkets may be some distance away. For these reasons, some churches organise an occasional Fairtrade stall in church/ church halls, where goods can be bought. Alternatives to setting up a stall are to use catalogues where products can be ordered, or to promote web sites for on-line shopping.
A good idea is getting a promotional stall set up so that people can see and taste what is on offer. You could organise an event to try out different foods from shops or from specialists (like Traidcraft). Use the drinks, foods and wines so that people can try before they buy. Then distribute catalogues, or take orders. Rather than charge, you may like to ask for donations for the event.
Traidcraft is a good organisation to contact if you are thinking of setting up a stall. They have an extensive selection of products, many of which are unavailable in supermarkets. Contact them on 0870 444 1543 or 0191 491 0591 for information. Traidcraft now have 5,000 Fair Traders now operating in the U.K., providing an extensive and friendly support network in place giving you all the advice you need to help you get started.
Traidcraft staff are always on hand to offer advice on ordering stock and promotional ideas, while your local Key Contact, an established Fair Trader in your area, will provide experience and support - with many offering a sale-or-return facility. If you contact them, you will receive a FREE Start Up Kit of promotional and display items, including: catalogues, carrier bags display kits, a Traidcraft banner and promotional cards. You can arrange this on line at their web site - www.traidcraft.co.uk
Please be aware that these days Fairtrade products do not cost much more than other items in supermarkets. However, if you source your stall from specialist suppliers, you may have to charge customers more than what they would pay for the same Fairtrade product in a supermarket (because of delivery charges etc).