Whether in school, in the supermarket or on the news, you’ve likely at least heard of Fairtrade before. The well-known Fairtrade stickers can be found often on bananas, coffee, chocolate and even on some clothing. But what does it actually mean? This blog goes into the history behind the Fairtrade brand and why it’s well worth celebrating every year.

How it Began

The Fairtrade Foundation was established in 1992, established to help Mexican Coffee farmers after the collapse of world coffee prices in the 1980s. The first Fairtrade certified products were chocolate made with cocoa from Belize and coffee beans. Before long, events started to run to spread awareness of the organisation and eventually big brands such as Greggs and M&S adopted the Fairtrade logo on some of their products.

What Does Fairtrade Mean?

If a product has the Fairtrade logo, this means that:

• Fair prices are being paid, often higher than the usual market rate, allowing people to thrive.
• Improved social and environmental standards- workers are guaranteed safe environments and protection against forced labour.
• Promoted transparency and respect in trade relationships including gender equality and responsible business practices.

Did You Know?

Fairtrade is 50% owned by farmers and workers, giving them an equal say in the system.

Interesting Facts about Fairtrade

• Farmers receive a premium which can be used for projects of their choice, even investing in local schools and communities.
• Most Fairtrade products are products that can’t be grown in the UK, such as cocoa or bananas, or products that can’t be grown to sufficient quantities.
• You can even find Fairtrade gold in some smartphones- did you know that many phones have a little gold in them?
• Fairtrade farmers are trained to produce more organic food that isn’t grown with harmful pesticides, making Fairtrade an even more sustainable choice.
• Over 1.9 million farmers are involved in Fairtrade, which operates across more than 70 countries.

World Fairtrade day is a day to spread awareness and celebrate the sustainable and fair way food is being delivered from farms to supermarkets around the world. At Inspire Catering we love food, and we love it even more when it has been sourced sustainably and ethically. Why not share a Fairtrade meal with your loved ones this week?

Recipe

Enjoy this delicious Fairtrade recipe of crumbly banana fingers- simple and tasty.

(Co-op Recipe)

Ingredients

175g Co-op unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing

175g caster sugar, plus 15g for dusting (optional)

225g Co-op self-raising flour

100g porridge oats

3 Co-op Fairtrade bananas

50g sultanas

Method

Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/Gas 6

Grease a shallow baking tin (about 30 x 20cm)

Beat the butter and caster sugar until the mixture is pale in colour, then stir in the flour and oats and form into a dough

Spoon two thirds of the dough into the base of the tin and level the surface with the back of a spoon

Slice the bananas, mash with a fork and spread onto the dough then cover with the remaining dough and sprinkle the sultanas over the top. Level off as before

Bake for 20-25 mins or until golden brown

Allow to cool before dusting with the extra caster sugar (optional)

Cut into 20 fingers and carefully remove from the tin