Jersey Fairtrade Island Group taking the right step forward…   

The Jersey Fairtrade Island Group is encouraging islanders to ‘take a step’ by supporting Fairtrade in 2012. The Fairtrade Foundation wants to record 1.5 million ‘steps’ forward, which symbolises the same number of Fairtrade producers around the world.

“A ‘step’ in this particular case is any new activity that supports Fairtrade” said Ed Le Quesne, treasurer of the Fairtrade group. “It could be making a commitment to drinking Fairtrade coffee in the office, trying a new Fairtrade product each month (there are over 3,000 to choose from), or making sure that your gifts at parties, or Mother’s Day and Easter, are all Fairtrade. We would like people to be creative and think up their own ideas too.”

2012 looks set to be an important year for Fairtrade in Jersey. The island is required to renew its status as a Fairtrade island, granted originally in 2005 after a resolution was passed in the States of Jersey, by showing increased commitment in the island to the buying and selling of Fairtrade products. This starts with a renewed commitment by the States to use Fairtrade whenever possible.

Mr Le Quesne continued “We would encourage all businesses, in retail or catering, however big or small, to become Fairtrade members. Fairtrade continues to grow in popularity (sales up 40% in 2010) and there are great benefits both ethically and commercially.”

Note: Send your ‘step’ in 2012 to JFIG at edleq [at] jerseymail [dot] co [dot] uk

Some highlights of 2012

Fairtrade Fortnight

Mon 27^th Feb to Sun March 11th will include visits from Jacqui Mackay  of  Banana Link and  Barbara Crowther, director of policy and communications at the Fairtrade Foundation.  

On Mother’s Day and at Easter, give Divine Fairtrade chocolates

On Sat. May 12th, World Fairtrade Day, there will be a Big Fairtrade Breakfast.