FAIRTRADE
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David Underwood - via Parish Office
parishoffice@stthomaswoodford.org
Tel : 020 8504 1686
Fax : 020 8504 1844
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This Fairtrade Fortnight, we’re calling for MPs to pledge their support for Fairtrade and stand with farmers who are being pushed to the brink by unfair trade and the climate crisis.
Take action in just 5 simple steps
1. Click here to enter the Ask your MP pledge page
2. Enter your postcode to find your local MP
3. We’ll auto-generate a letter to your MP for you.
4. Personalise your message and hit send!
5. Now share your action on social media and inspire others to #BeTheChange
Ask your MP to sign our #BeTheChange pledge
Now is the time for swift action
While we can all be the change, our politicians have a special role to play. They can push to change laws and regulations, and work towards a world where all trade is fair.
With the recent elections behind us, we have a unique chance to bring new MPs into our global, farmer-led movement for a fairer future.
Now is the time for the new government to take decisive action to support farmers overseas—so we can continue enjoying the foods we love while ensuring the farmers who produce them receive a fair price for their hard work.
Did you know that most UK adults are concerned about the supply of food to the UK, with 60% wanting more action from politicians?
Believe us – action like this really makes a difference
Before the election, over 1,500 of you contacted your local candidates, and we saw real results.
Over 200 candidates committed to work with fair trade campaigners like you locally, and organisations like ours nationally.
Over 20 of those people are now MPs, ready and willing to speak up for a fairer future.
How to campaign for Fairtrade this Fortnight
​Ask your MP to sign our pledge to Be The Change, and encourage others to contact their MP
Organise or join a campaign event
Push our message to ‘Be the Change’ out into the world! Dive into social media to spread the word, tag us, and use the hashtags #BeTheChange and #ChooseFairtrade.
Choose Fairtrade when you shop this Fortnight and encourage others to do the same
Ask your MP to sign our #BeTheChange pledge
Together we can #BeTheChange
ST THOMAS OF CANTERBURY JOINS THE FAIRTRADE FAMILY
- FEBRUARY 2009
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In February 2009, St Thomas of Canterbury was certified by CAFOD and the Fairtrade Foundation as a Fairtrade parish.
With the agreement of Fr Austin and the Parish Council, our parish has committed to:
• use Fairtrade tea and coffee after services and at all parish meetings;
• move forward on using other Fairtrade products such as biscuits, sugar and fruit;
• promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight and through events, worship and other activities.
Pictured: Fr Austin, supported by Fintan Canavan (parish councillor) and David Underwood (parishioner and CAFOD volunteer) receives the Fairtrade certificate from Joanna Jarvis, joint manager CAFOD Brentwood.
OCTOBER 2019
Fairtrade celebrates 25th birthday since first products launched in UK
This October Fairtrade kicks off its 25th birthday celebrations with a long weekend of parties, activities and events from Friday 4th- Monday 7th October 2019, which will see the public show their ongoing support for the 1.6million farmers and workers behind the UK’s most visible ethical label.
Show your support by buying Fairtrade products when you go shopping.
Click linkto find out more
OCTOBER 2017
TROUBLE BREWING - UPDATE
CAFOD dismayed by SAINSBURY'S move away from Fairtrade. Over 100,000 people signed the Change.org petition to SAINSBURY'S.
The photograph shows supporters led by CAFOD outside Sainsbury HQ on Thursday, 26th October 2017 ahead of the national day of action on Saturday, 28th presenting an "Fairtrade airline" ticket to the CEO Mike Coupe inviting him to visit his tea suppliers to see them at work.
Thank you to all 183 St Thomas parishioners and friends who signed the petition that has been now been emailed to the store manager at their South Woodford branch and to the CEO, Mike Coupe. And thanks also to those that signed the petition online.
See the response received from Sainsbury's CEO here>>>
See the campaign's response to CEO here>>>
NOT ALL TEA IS CREATED EQUAL- Find out more here>>>
However you make your cuppa, make sure it's Fairtrade!
WAITROSEhas recently announced a strengthening of its commitment to Fairtrade. All their own brand tea will in future be Fairtrade. More here>>>
We are delighted to announce that for the next six months the WAITROSEbranch in Buckhurst Hill has donated the Fairtrade tea and coffee we use after Sunday 10am and 11.30am Masses. This means that all the donations for these refreshments received from parishioners can be shared between CAFOD and local charities.
December 2016
We’re in an unprecedented situation.
In this post-EU referendum, post-US election world, trade has never been more in the spotlight. And as Brexit moves ahead, our trade deals with the rest of the world will be rewritten.
Please add your name to our letter to Prime Minister Theresa May and ask her publicly to commit to trade that delivers a fair deal for farmers and workers in developing countries.
We are handing in our letter next week to Theresa May and we need you to help get us to 50,000 signatures.
Click here>>to sign the petition
There's so much noise to cut through that it's more important than ever to speak up for the farmers and workers whose voices may not be heard. Brexit is bigger than Britain. Don't let poor farmers and workers be forgotten when our government gets around the negotiating table.
Thank you for your support.
Jonathan Smith,
Head of Campaigns, Fairtrade Foundation
December 2016
10 FACTS ABOUT FAIRTRADE CHOCOLATE
Test yourself by devouring 10 facts about Fairtrade chocolate in a blog post written by Anna in the press team at The Fairtrade Foundation. You might be surprised to find out that most cocoa farmers have never tasted chocolate. You’ll also learn what percentage of Fairtrade cocoa growers are women. And find out the country that consumes the most Fairtrade cocoa.
READ THE BLOG POST here>>>
Ready, set, cocoa!
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2010
For this year's Fairtrade Fortnight, the Fairtrade Foundation asked the nation to join in The Big Swap. For two whole weeks they asked you to swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff. Your usual bananas for Fairtrade bananas, your usual cotton socks for Fairtrade cotton socks, and your usual cuppa for a Fairtrade cuppa. Although Fairtrade Fortnight has ended for this year, you can continue to use your wallet to make a stand.
FAIRTRADE NEWS - JULY 2009
Cadbury Dairy Milk has recently launched its new Fairtrade-certified chocolate bars, becoming the first mass market chocolate to gain certification from the Fairtrade Foundation.Cadbury has committed to offering the new Fairtrade bar at no extra cost, and with no change to the taste.
FAIRTRADE WHITE PAPER
The Fairtrade Foundation welcomes the significant investment in fair andethical trade announced in a White Paper unveiled by Secretary of State Douglas Alexander in the House of Commons on 6 July 2009.
MARCH 2009
The world’s biggest Fairtrade banana-eating record attempt took place between noon on Friday 6 March and noon on Saturday 7 March.
The Parish Office, members of the Franciscan Community at Woodford and the Woodford Guides were amongst over 400,000 people who registered for the event.
Pictured: 12.15pm, Friday 6 March, staff at the Parish Office take a lead in going bananas for Fairtrade.