To mark Fair Trade’s fight against poverty, climate change and the economic crisis, Berwick Street is hosting a World Fairtrade Day Pop Up Market on Friday 9th May 2014. Passing customers will be able to sample and buy a wealth of fantastic fair trade goodies, and the very best of fair trade will be on offer: from Offset Warehouse’s pioneering ethical fabrics, to Akoma skincare products, to Zaytoun olive oil and delicious Divine chocolate.

 

For one day only, you can head down to the famous market just off Oxford Street and run your fingers through our beautiful, Fairtrade eco fabrics.  Rummage through our haberdashery and end of rolls at huge bargains.  We will also be handing out discount vouchers for our website! If you’ve not experienced Fairtrade before, this will be a fabulous opportunity to get stuck in and begin to incorporate Fair Trade into your shopping bag.

Berwick Street is famed for its independent tailors, fabric and clothing shops, its many cafes and its historic market dating back to the 18th century. In showcasing high-end fair trade products in this vibrant environment, during World Fairtrade Day, Soho will be turned into a community of ‘Fair Trade People’ and a beacon for fair trade organisations, traders and media.

Opting for Fair Trade everyday commodities wherever you can is essential.  A third of the world’s population lives on less than two dollars a day.  Farmers and workers who produce our commodities, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, cotton and bananas, often don’t get the money they deserve for their crop. When world commodity prices fall, as they have done over the last 30 years, it’s these growers who feel the pinch first. Their income can drop to levels that don’t even cover production costs, making it hard to provide for their families and maintain their farms. They can become locked into a cycle of poverty.  As consumers we have the power to change things, and the power to make a difference to growers and workers.

Fair Trade has had an unimaginable, positive impact on the lives of several million small producers worldwide and their communities. Millions of producers and traders, business and policy makers, supporting organizations and volunteers have contributed to the substantial growth of Fair Trade.  These Fair Trade Organizations are pioneers and change makers.  By choosing Fair Trade products you can be a change maker too.

Key Points:

World Fair Trade Day Pop Up Market:

• Friday 9th May 2014 10am-4pm
• Berwick Street Market: established in the 18th Century, one of the oldest in London.

What is World Fairtrade Day?

World Fairtrade Day is an initiative of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) that takes place on 11 May 2013.  Recognized globally, events take place around the world celebrating Fair Trade’s contribution to the fight against poverty, climate change and the economic crisis that has the greatest impact on the world’s most vulnerable populations.  It is a worldwide appeal to consumers to include Fair Trade in their shopping bags, to businesses to incorporate Fair Trade in their supply and to offices, and local authorities and national governments to include Fair Trade in public procurement.

Why Do We Need Fair Trade?

Fair Trade has made unimaginable, positive impacts on the lives of several million small producers worldwide and their communities.  A third of the world’s population lives on less than two dollars a day.  The global crisis has put even more stress on the need for a fair and sustainable economy.  Farmers and workers who produce our commodities, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, cotton and bananas, often don’t get the money they deserve for their crop. They can become locked into a cycle of poverty. When world commodity prices fall, as they have done over the last 30 years, it’s these growers who feel the pinch first. Their income can drop to levels that don’t even cover production costs, making it hard to provide for their families and maintain their farms.

As consumers we have the power to change things, and the power to make a difference to growers and workers in the southern hemisphere.  Trade should benefit the most vulnerable and deliver sustainable livelihoods by developing opportunities for small and disadvantaged producers.  Fair Trade Organizations work collectively together to ensure fair wages and sustainable livelihood for small producers.  Millions of producers and traders, business and policy makers, supporting organizations and volunteers have contributed to the substantial growth of Fair Trade.  These Fair Trade Organizations are pioneers and change makers.