Fairtrade Fortnight 2016 - make your breakfast count!

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As Martin Luther King famously said, ‘before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half the world’. Despite our dependence on farmers and workers for the foods, drinks and products that we love, about 795 million people are undernourished globally.

The people who grow the food we take for granted can’t always feed their own families. We can support farmers and workers to put food on the table for their families by harnessing the power of a Fairtrade breakfast.

When people are paid a fairer price, they can have more control over their lives when times are hard, and worry less about how they will feed their families. Whether it’s the extra cash in their pockets or being able to expand their farms to grow more food to eat, Fairtrade means many farmers and workers are able to fulfil a basic human need – to put enough food on the table for the people they care about, all year round.

Fairtrade and organic foods at SUSSED

Fairtrade and organic foods at SUSSED

2015 Ethical Consumer Markets Report

Ethical spending has continued to grow, despite difficult market conditions, according to the 2015 Ethical Consumer Markets Report.

The value of ethical sales grew by 8%, during a period when inflation barely rose above 0.5%. And the overall value of the ethical market grew from £35bn to £38bn showing a continued commitment from consumers across all sectors to support more ethical products and services. Sales of electric, hybrid and other tax-band A-rated cars grew by 40% to nearly £7bn, and spending on solar panels rose by nearly 25% to £716m

The value of money held ethically fell by 2%, largely caused by accounts being closed or moved from the Co-operative Bank. All other elements in the sector - including savings and investments with Triodos Bank - showed year on year growth. Ethical investment grew by 9% to £13bn. Combined ethical money and ethical spending totals rose from £78bn to £80bn.

In the food and drink sector, 2014 saw the first ever fall in a value of Fairtrade sales (4%) since the scheme began. This may have been caused by a combination of factors including falling market share at Sainsbury’s and the Co-op, Fairtrade’s biggest supporters in the retail sector, and growing sales at Aldi and Lidl, which have smaller Fairtrade ranges. The ethical food sector grew overall with a revival in organic sales, strong growth in sustainable fish sales, and a good performance in other ethical food sectors.

Report highlights

  • Ethical sales up by 8% 
  • The overall value of the ethical market grew from £35bn to £38bn
  • Combined ethical money and ethical spending totals rose from £78bn to £80bn

MORE LOCAL GOODS NEEDED AT SUSSED - HAVE YOU GOT THE TALENT?

More than thirty individuals have displayed their work at SUSSED. The public have also responded very favourably to these distinctive local goods. 

However, we’re always looking for new products to keep our selection as fresh and diverse as possible. Goods have ranged from CD albums, jewellery, cushions, honey, cards, upcycled furniture, candle holders, bags, children’s clothes and ornaments.

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