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The Fairtrade Foundation is delighted to have been selected as one of 25 UK representatives in the European Business Awards.

The prestigious awards are designed to recognise and promote excellence, best practice and innovation in the European business community.

Harriet Lamb, executive director of the Fairtrade Foundation, said: ‘The Fairtrade Foundation’s mission is to ensure producers in the developing world get a fair price for their crops so farmers can build a sustainable future, provide new opportunities and reduce poverty in their communities. It is a mission that has seen remarkable success in the Fairtrade Foundation’s 15 years. It is fantastic that the hard work of producers and the partnerships they have forged with food manufacturers and retailers has been recognised by the European Business Awards’ judges.’

Fairtrade is at the vanguard of ethical consumerism and this is now increasingly recognised as important by business. Being shortlisted for the European Business Award is a testament to the unique partnership between entrepreneurial producers in poverty stricken countries and consumers who want justice for workers in the developing world. 

In recent years, the Fairtrade Foundation has been working with over 400 UK businesses, ranging from major manufacturers such as Cadbury, Nestle and Tate & Lyle, to retailers and café chains including Sainsbury, M&S, Coop, Starbucks, EAT, Debenhams and Monsoon, and dedicated ethical and Fairtrade companies including Cafedirect, Divine Chocolate and People Tree.

Over 60% of purchasers are likely to recommend Fairtrade to friends and colleagues. And during Fairtrade Fortnight in February, millions of campaigners in towns, schools and churches all across the UK took part in thousands of events swapping their usual purchases for Fairtrade ones, so reaching the target of one million and one swaps.

Fairtrade is a growing social movement and powerful retail phenomenon. There are over 470 Fairtrade towns in the UK, over 800 in 17 countries and sales of Fairtrade goods have grown from an estimated retail value of just £16m in 1998 to over £800m last year, taking Fairtrade from a niche interest to a mainstream retail and consumer trend.

Eileen Maybin
Head of Media Relations
020 7440 7686/07770 957 451
eileen.maybin@fairtrade.org.uk

Martine Julseth
Media and PR Manager
020 7440 7695/07825 827 791
martine.julseth@fairtrade.org.uk

Faith Mall
Media and PR Manager
020 7440 8597/07766 504 947
faith.mall@fairtrade.org.uk

Neil Martin
Assistant Press Officer
020 7440 7620
neil.martin@fairtrade.org.uk

Notes to Editors

1. The FAIRTRADE Mark is a certification mark and a registered trademark of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) of which the Fairtrade Foundation is the UK member. The Fairtrade Foundation is an independent certification body which licenses the use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products which meet international Fairtrade standards. This independent consumer label is now recognised by 72% of UK consumers and appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal. Today, more than 7.5 million people – farmers, workers and their families – across 58 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system.

2. Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark including coffee, tea, herbal teas, chocolate, cocoa, sugar, bananas, grapes, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, apples, pears, plums, grapefruit, lemons, oranges, satsumas, clementines, mandarins, lychees, coconuts, dried fruit, juices, smoothies, biscuits, cakes & snacks, honey, jams & preserves, chutney & sauces, rice, quinoa, herbs & spices, seeds, nuts & nut oil, wines, beers, rum, confectionary, muesli, cereal bars, yoghurt, ice-cream, flowers, sports balls, sugar body scrub and cotton products including clothing, homeware, cloth toys, cotton wool and olive oil.

3. 9 in 10 households purchase Fairtrade goods, including an extra 1.3 million more households in 2009, helping Fairtrade sales reach an estimated £800m in 2008, a 13% increase on the previous year. There are over 460 producer organisations selling to the UK and by the end of October 2008 872 certified producer groups were in the global Fairtrade system, representing more than 1.5 million farmers and workers.

4. The European Business Awards is sponsored by HSBC. For more information please go to
www.businessawardseurope.com