How-To Guides

To make it easier for you to fulfil your commitments, our team has put together these guides to assist you to take action!

Consume more fair trade products

There are many ways that you can begin to make more ethical choices in your consumption patterns.

Women in tea plantation

There are many ways that you can begin to make more ethical choices in your consumption patterns. With Australia's growing fair trade market, it's easier than ever to make socially responsible decisions when purchasing. You can find fair trade alternatives to many everyday products. Chocolate, tea, coffee, balls for sport and clothes are just a few. There are even a number of fair trade cafes around the country to make coffee with your mates a world changing event.

Trade on its own can be quite complex and there are many elements in the supply chain. What isn't complex, though, is that the farmers who produce the raw products, which are then transported thousands of kilometres to be turned into the products we consume day to day, should be fairly compensated. Fair trade products ensure that they are.

Let's take an example - coffee. Outside of the fair trade system farmers can earn as little as 3 cents for a $3 cup of coffee. Within a fair trade system a minimum price of $3.47 per kilo is paid for the coffee (1). As market prices fluctuate - and they can get rather low - a farmer who is fair trade certified can rest assured knowing that they can still feed their family and contribute to their community regardless of commodity prices for that period.

There are many great resources out there for find out more about the benefits of fare trade. For example, Oxfam's site on fair trade

The Fair Trade association of Australia and New Zealand

How do I know which products are fair trade?

Keep an eye out for the official fair trade logo



Fair trade certified plantations must ensure that there is no forced or child labour and that health and safety requirements are met.

How should I start?

Begin by locating a supermarket that offers fair trade alternatives. A list can be found on Oxfam's website here. At the Global Poverty Project we love our tea and coffee and find this is a great place to start. So next time you're at the shops buying your groceries, know that your purchase of the next batch of tea and block of chocolate is helping ensure farmers and their families have their own food to eat and can keep their children in school.

What else can I do?

In Australia we have a 'cafe culture' and we love spending time with our family and friends eating good food and drinking great coffee. A growing number of cafes and restaurants are offering fair trade beverages. The trick is to ask! We have a list of fair trade cafes where it's safe to assume your purchase is fair trade and a number of others where if you don't ask you won't receive. Take a look at the list and keep it in mind for when you're next hunting for that morning coffee.

Now that your tummy is full of yummy fair trade goods start sharing what you've learned and be a voice!  Encourage those around you, including your employer and the organisations you are part of, to make the switch to fair trade as well.

Notes

1. http://www.oxfam.org.au/campaigns/fair-trade/faq/