7-11 years for pupils aged 11-16. much of the food and drink we enjoy is made using crops grown in...

7-11 years

For pupils aged 11-16

Much of the food and drink we enjoy is made using crops grown in less developed countries.

Many smallholder farmers are trapped in poverty – they can’t get a good price for their crops.

Producers can come together and form a co-operative to help meet their economic and social needs.

Fairtrade gives smallholders more control over their lives and the means to improve their position. 

Producers must meet Fairtrade standards, which improve conditions for workers.  

   The Co-operative sources products from producer co-operatives around the world to bring Fairtrade products to its shops. It also goes beyond Fairtrade to provide additional support to many of these co-operatives.

Bananas

Coffee

Cocoa

Tea

Blueberries

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Co-operatives don't just help people in less developed countries – they started here!

31 Toad Lane, Rochdale

National Co-operative Archive

Today, over a billion people are members of co-operatives around the world. Co-operatives can bring together producers, workers, consumers and communities. Co-operatives are at the heart of Fairtrade, providing 75% of Fairtrade products. They provide ownership, control, democratic decision-making and meet the needs of their members, be it access to healthcare, finance, food or transport.

The Co-operative Group is the largest of nearly 5,000 co-operatives in the UK. Co-operatives aren't just a shop – for many they are a way of life.

Co-operative values Co-operative principles

Self-help Voluntary and open membership

Self-responsibility Democratic member control

Democracy Member economic participation

Equality Autonomy and independence

Equity Education, training and information

Solidarity Co-operation among co-operatives

Ethical values* Concern for community

The Rochdale Pioneers established a set of values and principles for their co-operative. These values and principles are shared by co-operatives around the world and are why The Co-operative is passionate about Fairtrade.

*Honesty, openness, social responsibility, caring for others

There are:Fairtrade Counties: CumbriaFairtrade Councils: KingstonFairtrade Towns: GarstangFairtrade Schools: Ringwood

Co-operative values and principles are why The Co-operative is passionate about Fairtrade and helping to improve supply chain conditions. 

What would make Fairtrade a clear choice for YOU?

320 COOBANA members work together to grow bananas. Fairtrade benefits all of COOBANA’s members.

BananasFlorentina, William and Emilio are members of the COOBANA co-operative in Panama.

“I have worked at COOBANA for 20 years; I feel happy...with Fairtrade we can go far, to expand and grow.” Florentina Beitia

The Fairtrade price protects COOBANA when the market price for bananas dips. The Fairtrade premium is building community facilities, schools, and funding improvements to homes. 

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Fintea Growers Co-operative Union is a group of five tea producing co-operatives in Kenya. The five co-operatives have a total of over 11,000 members.

Tea

Fairtrade is helping Fintea’s 11,000 members earn more for their tea.

“The Fairtrade price will be invested wisely. Our houses don’t have electricity or water from taps. We have some brilliant children who need to be given the opportunity to achieve their potential at university.”Samuel Kelelio

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Coffee

Aguadas is a co-operative with 1,200 members. Members live in 30 villages in the high Andes mountains, Colombia.

Aguadas’s members can now afford to improve how they farm and process their coffee beans.

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Cocoa

Conacado is a co-operative in the Dominican Republic. Conacado has about 10,000 members, all small-scale farmers.

The Fairtrade premium is improving housing, education and water supplies in members’ villages.

“Fairtrade has changed many lives here. We can target the poorest people and communities to benefit.”Santos Moreno

“Fairtrade pays a good and sustainable price for our cocoa. A stable price from Fairtrade makes a big difference in farmers’ lives.” Samuel Reyes

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APICOOP was set up to produce honey, which The Co-operative has purchased for many years. Blueberries were a good crop for APICOOP to diversify into – they grow well where APICOOP famers live and can be pollinated by their bees.

APICOOP is a co-operative that brings together over 300 producers from across Chile.

Blueberries

The Fairtrade blueberry crops provide opportunities for women to earn an income.

The Fairtrade premium pays for the land on which blueberries grow, and for agricultural equipment to improve APICOPP’s ability to produce and harvest blueberries.

“Fairtrade products are indeed an instrument of justice. Efforts like this highly contribute to make a better living for thousands around the world. It truly is another concrete step to make this planet a better place for all.” Chino Henriques

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