It’s Fairtrade Fortnight from 9 Sept – 22 Sept, and if you have a Fairtrade coffee range, there’s no better time for you to tell your customers about it! Each year, for these two weeks, thousands of individuals, companies, and groups across the UK come together to share stories about Fairtrade producers across various industries and commodities.
As Fairtrade celebrates its 30th anniversary in the UK, DRWakefield proudly marks three decades of partnership with Fairtrade, an opportune moment to reflect on the impact Fairtrade has had on the producers and cooperatives within our supply chain.
DRW Fairtrade Footprint
Over the past year, DRWakefield has sourced Fairtrade coffee from 15 of the 25 origins we work with, impacting over 142,705 producers, 25% of whom are women. These producers span across 124,883 hectares of land, equivalent to 16,449 football pitches.
DRWakefield FT Cooperatives
Our relationships with 41 small-scale producer organisations (SPOs) reflect our dedication to supporting communities at the grassroots level. Peru stands out, with 9 SPOs impacting 4,787 producers, while Ethiopia’s 2 SPOs make a significant difference to 55,772 producers.
Fairtrade Premiums
The Fairtrade Premium has been a cornerstone of this impact. The Fairtrade Premium is an additional sum of money which goes into a communal fund for producers to use as they see fit, to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions. Normally, a cooperative would set up an internal committee that would then decide where to allocate its funds. Lets look at where the cooperatives we work with allocate their funds and key highlights within the five categories.
Fairtrade Premium Expenditure Breakdown
- Producer Group Strengthening and Capacity Building (46%):
- Management costs and enhancing infrastructure within producer organisations.
- Training and business initiatives that boost certification and increase sales.
- Training of Board and Committees.
- Producers’ and Families’ Welfare (33%):
- Directed towards healthcare and educational benefits, supporting the social well-being of farmers and their families.
- Training for women and gender healthcare interventions.
- Worker rights and Training
- Productivity, Quality, and Climate Change Adaptation (15%):
- Allocated for productivity improvements, including the purchase of fertilisers and agricultural tools.
- Allocated for Quality training and inputs.
- Training to ensure farmers are equipped to handle the impacts of climate change.
- Loans for farm improvements.
- Community Welfare (3%):
- Community infrastructure projects such as healthcare facilities, schools, and road construction contribute to the broader community’s well-being.
- Support for vulnerable groups.
- Climate Change Mitigation (1%):
- Primarily used to reduce water and energy consumption, this includes the installation of solar panels to support environmental sustainability.
- Biodiversity, conservation and reforestation projects like soil protection programmes
- Recycling and waste management systems
These investments demonstrate the commitment of the cooperative to not only improve the quality of coffee but also the quality of life for the communities involved in the production of Fairtrade coffee.
Looking ahead, our partnership with Fairtrade positions us to continue driving positive change within the industry. As demand for ethical sourcing and transparency grows, we remain committed to supporting sustainable practices that empower coffee producers and ensure their resilience in the face of future challenges. Our shared values with Fairtrade, fairness, sustainability, and community empowerment will guide our efforts in the years to come, ensuring that ethical sourcing continues to benefit those who need it most. Here’s to another 30 years of Fairtrade ☕
Learn more about Fairtrade Fortnight and how you can get involved by clicking here.
Photo of coffee farming in Planadas, Colombia. Credit: Nicolás Becerra/Fairtrade.
Featured Coffee
