Three cheers for Dad on Father’s Day
Spoil your Dad this Father’s Day, Sunday 15 June, and show him he’s one in a million. When you choose a special gift for Dad, make it count by selecting something from the developing world that has been grown by farmers and workers under Fairtrade terms.
Millions of farmers depend on selling their crops to survive, but when prices drop it can spell disaster. If farmers earn less than it costs to run their farm, they face real hardship. Your choice helps banana producers like Jose Peralta from ASOBANU in the Dominican Republic who says: “For us small producers, we are very committed to Fairtrade, we hope it will continue making progress; it is our means of survival here in the Dominican Republic."
The FAIRTRADE Mark on products makes sure that farmers and producer organisations get a fair and stable price for their products to help them support their families and invest in a better future.
The Fairtrade Foundation’s latest TNS consumer poll shows 70% of UK shoppers now recognize the FAIRTRADE Mark and more men than ever before (66%) now know about Fairtrade. Chances are Dad will really appreciate the thought you put into his special gift.
The range of Fairtrade products is growing all the time, from footballs to jeans, beer to bananas. There are over 3,000 licensed products now available from major supermarkets and independent stores, cafes, restaurants and online and the simple choices you make when planning for Father’s Day really can change lives.
The present:
Make up a gift box and fill it with Fairtrade beer. Combine with a selection of exciting flavoured nuts from new 100% Fairtrade company Liberation – he’ll love it if he plans to sit in watching football or rugby come Fathers Day. With his feet up, the sport on the telly, and some tasty snacks, you can pretty much guarantee his day will be a treat. But if your Dad’s a more active sort, surprise him with a Fairtrade sports ball from Fair Deal Trading, ASA Sports UK Ltd or Racadillo.
Dress him up in shorts and shirts from five times Olympic gold medalist Sir Steve Redgrave’s range at Debenhams. Or treat him to a pair of chinos and a few shirts from M&S. But for Dads, you can never go wrong with socks! Check out the Sock Shop website for a pair from the FiveG range www.sockshop.co.uk/products/mens_2_pair_fiveg_narrow_rib_gentle_grip_socks_in_/. Stone Bay offers a range of T-shirts and polos at Tescos and for trendy Dads, pick up a polo shirt from Topman. Next sell T-shirts made with Fairtrade cotton for men and if you want something from the Fairtrade pioneers, choose something from People Tree, Gossypium, Bishopston Trading or Traidcraft.
Father’s Day breakfast:
Treat your Dad to a Fairtrade breakfast in bed – with coffee, tea, juices, a selection of fresh fruit, muffins and jams – all Fairtrade certified of course! Most products are widely available and range from supermarket own brands such as Sainsbury’s Red Label tea to premium options such as floral elderflower or refreshing lime Sencha Green Tea from Jacksons of Piccadilly.
The dinner:
Why not prepare your Dad a specially cooked meal to round off the perfect day? Whether he's a meat and two veg man, or likes something more exotic, there’s something to tempt everyone in the Fairtrade food range. Cook up a curry using the growing range of Fairtrade spices and rice. Look out for curry powders from Wayfairer or mix your own with ground tumeric, peppercorns, cloves from companies such as Daylesford Organic or Steenbergs. Serve with Fairtrade rice from Crazy Jack or Suma. Follow with delicious Fairtrade Co-op Greek Style Yogurt with Fairtrade Honey. Wash this feast down with some thirst-quenching ice-cold Fairtrade beer. Choose from Co-op Fairtrade Organic Ale, Co-op Bumble Bee Ale, or Wychwood Bee Wyched Honey’d Ale. These beers are licensed to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark and contain Fairtrade sugar or honey.
Alternatively, rustle up a zingy BBQ, always a firm favourite with Dads! Marinade your meat in Fairtrade Thyme from Wayfairer, Steenbergs organic Fairtrade pepper and a few squeezes of Fairtrade fresh lemon juice from The Co-op. Create wonderful salads with Fairtrade green beans, avocados and red peppers or Fairtrade rice and quinoa. Dress with Fairtrade lemon juice and Fairtrade brazil nut oil from Equal Exchange. Wash it all down with a jug of iced homemade lemonade – made from Fairtrade sugar and lemons of course, or a bottle of crisp Fairtrade Sauvignon Blanc. And for dessert, bake a sumptuous pear and chocolate cake made from Fairtrade sugar, cocoa, plain chocolate and pears. You’ll find the recipe in The Fairtrade Everyday Cookbook by Sophie Grigson available from all good bookshops. Your Dad might be impressed enough to man the BBQ himself!
And last but not least, express your appreciation with a simple yet delicious box of After Dinner Mints from Divine Chocolate.
For a full list of products and retail outlets see www.fairtrade.org.uk.
-ends-
For more information, please contact Eileen Maybin or Martine Julseth at the Fairtrade Foundation at eileen.maybin@fairtrade.org.uk or martine.julseth@fairtrade.org.uk or call 020 7440 7695/07770 957 451
Notes to Editors
- The full range of more than 3,000 Fairtrade certified products now includes coffee, tea, herbal teas, chocolate, cocoa, sugar, bananas, grapes, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, apples, pears, lemons, oranges, satsumas, lychees, coconuts, dried fruit, juices, smoothies, biscuits, cakes & snacks, honey, jams, chutney & sauces, rice, quinoa, herbs & spices, seeds, nuts & nut oil, wines, beer, rum, confectionary, muesli, yoghurt, ice-cream, flowers, sports balls, sugar body scrub and cotton products including clothing, homewear, cloth toys and cotton wool.