BONNYTON FAIRTRADE ONLINE SHOP – FORMARTINE So it is up and running again! at https://bonnyton-fairtrade.mybigcommerce.com The idea is to click and collect or we will post out goods to those who want delivery. We have made an Instagram account–so please follow if you have Instagram–at Bonnyton Fairtrade. it is also on my Facebook page and could be shared. Please feel free to pass around the information to anyone who you think may be interested.
Mid Formartine Fair Trade Group in Aberdeenshire have written to the UK Secretary of State for Trade regarding the unintended impact of Brexit on trade with Ghana.
Many retailers import Fairtrade bananas because they are environmentally sustainable and critically, they sustain rural world farmers by fair prices as part of the supply chain. Guaranteed minimum prices allow farmers to invest and grow food sustainably. The Fairtrade mark is a consumer’s guarantee that Fair prices and incomes go to places like Ghana and not simply into importers profits.
However, Brexit, has meant the UK has imposed tariffs on imports which had not existed before and endanger the livelihoods of many producers as vulnerable farmers can no longer trade profitably.
Formartine’s Fairtrade group have joined the campaign from the Scottish Fairtrade Forum to persuade the UK government to reconsider.
Dear Secretary of State,
I am extremely concerned about the immediate impact of Brexit on Ghanaian Fairtrade farmers.
On New Year’s Eve, the UK and Ghanaian governments issued a Joint Ministerial Statement which said the parties had “reached a consensus on the main elements of a new trade agreement.” It went on to state that this “provides the basis to replicate the effects of the existing trade relationship between the UK and Ghana”.
However despite this, I understand Fairtrade certified bananas from Ghana arriving into the UK since 1st January are being charged a tariff of £95 per tonne, therefore making a loss on every shipment. I am very worried that this cost may be borne by farmers and workers at the bottom of the supply chain whose livelihoods are already precarious. The UK accounts for 40% of Ghanaian banana exports so I urge the government to resume tariff free trade urgently and to compensate the importers for the losses incurred to date.
Anne Aspden of the Formartine Fairtrade Group has for many years run a hugely successful OPEN HOUSE sale of FAIRTRADE gifts, clothes, food and essentials from her home in Pitmedden.
Now because of COVID-19 restrictions, under the the name Bonnyton Fairtrade, to carry on the sale, Anne and husband Richard have crated an online sale space for a fantastic range of Mongolian craft items, along with choice favourites for this time of year.
Follow the link to start shopping ethically, supporting rural third world business. This is not charity, this is a fair chance to sell their high quality crafts at a fair price.
2020 would have been our 28th open house at Bonnyton selling fairly traded products from around the world. Unfortunately due to coronavirus restrictions it will not be possible to have a home based sale this year. However tempting to want to take a year off, we know that it is crucial to support the companies and producers working hard to bring us ethically traded products or they won’t survive these difficult times. People in the most vulnerable communities need our help more than ever so we’ve gone online. We hope you like it. See you for cake next year!
Anne Aspden of the Formartine Fairtrade Group has for many years run a hugely successful OPEN HOUSE sale of FAIRTRADE gifts, clothes, food and essentials from her home in Pitmedden.
Now because of COVID-19 restrictions, under the the name Bonnyton Fairtrade, to carry on the sale, Anne and husband Richard have crated an online sale space for a fantastic range of Mongolian craft items, along with choice favourites for this time of year.
Follow the link to start shopping ethically, supporting rural third world business. This is not charity, this is a fair chance to sell their high quality crafts at a fair price.
2020 would have been our 28th open house at Bonnyton selling fairly traded products from around the world. Unfortunately due to coronavirus restrictions it will not be possible to have a home based sale this year. However tempting to want to take a year off, we know that it is crucial to support the companies and producers working hard to bring us ethically traded products or they won’t survive these difficult times. People in the most vulnerable communities need our help more than ever so we’ve gone online. We hope you like it. See you for cake next year!
A letter to the press and Journal from Formartine Fairtrade Group
The Black Lives Matter campaign highlights issues and brings shame on our country both currently and historically. However, sometimes it is easier to protest and complain and harder to change our lifestyle to make a difference. To support the BLM movement while drinking a cup of coffee that has been grown by black people,- trapped in poverty by our constant cry to have our food cheaper and cheaper at the least makes no sense, and at worst is hypocrisy.
As a Fairtrade group we campaign and promote trade justice. Fairtrade coffee guarantees a fair price for the producer, a level playing field, and honours the producer with justice.
Lets not just protest and shout, but change our focus. Not the cheapest—but the most just. Not the easiest—but the fairest.
Then we can proudly say, that our actions and shopping habits reflect that black lives matter, and justice will bring peace. .
25 years ago the FAIRTRADE Mark appeared on UK shelves, making ethical shopping that bit easier. Now we want to go further. Live Fairis here to make ethical living easier too.
Join Live Fair now,and get a regular Live Fair box, featuring Fairtrade treats like tea and coffee, tips on ethical living, updates on how your support makes a difference and ethical recipes.
What is Live Fair?
You give £8 a month to Fairtrade and help support hardworking farmers.
You can choose to get regular Live Fair email updates, with all the latest on living a fair and sustainable life. The every three months, you get a new Live Fair box in the post.
Wondering what your £8 a month will do?
In a word, loads!
This year, you’ll be supporting a programme called Growing Women in Coffee.
Female coffee farmers in Kenya get a bitter deal. They often aren’t allowed to own property. So they work all day on their husbands’ bushes, but with little to show for it.
This programme is changing the norm. It’s seeing husbands gifting coffee bushes to their wives. And then with training and support from Fairtrade, women can grow their own delicious coffee, earn their own income, and take control of their own lives.
Not a bitter note in sight!
But what’s in the box?
In a word: fairness. You’ll love it.
In more words:
Treats from great Fairtrade tea and coffee brands like Percol, Cafédirect and Clipper.
Tasty recipes using Fairtrade products.
Fun products to help you live fairer.
Top tips on easy ways to be more ethical in your everyday life.
News from the inspiring farmers that you’ll be helping.
But why now?
In the next 25 years, Fairtrade will help farmers adapt to devastating climate change. And continue to back their fight against exploitation.
Your support will mean we can stand with more farmers and workers facing these challenges across the world.
STARTS SOON. The annual Fairtrade Sale at Bonnyton, Pitmedden. A huge selection of ethical gifts and essentials. Delicious foods and ingredients for every occasion, cards, crafts, gifts and clothing. A wonderful shopping experience.
From Wednesday to Sunday. You will get a warm welcome.
Come and shop for your gifts in the knowledge that all goods are ethically produced and environmentally friendly, benefiting farmers and makers with fair prices.
We have received the below from the Scottish Fair Trade Foundation – can you help?
‘Sally Seddon from the fair trade investment cooperative, Shared Interest, got in touch to ask for some help in advertising a volunteer opportunity. Shared Interest is looking for volunteers in the Aberdeen area to take on the role of Local Supporter. There is some more information here: https://www.shared-interest.com/gb/vacancies
You can contact Sally if you require more information: sally.seddon’
We are excited to announce that we are launching a new programme, as part of the Year of Young People 2018, to encourage youth-led Fair Trade campaigns in Scotland.
Participation is open to young people aged between 16 and 25 years old. Members will be required to attend meetings and create/assist with the running of campaigns. To help with this the Forum will provide free tea and coffee as well as covering travel and lunch expences. Full details of the Network’s roles are available in the Guidelines.
The programme aims to give young people opportunities to get involved in the Forum’s activities and connect to the wider Fair Trade network in Scotland. The Network provides a fantastic opportunity for young people to build and develop useful skills that will aid them in later life.
We are looking for volunteers that are creative and sociable people to work together in designing and producing ways of championing Fair Trade across the country as part of the global movement.
Those interested in joining the Network should complete this short admin by midnight on Thursday 30 August.*
*Due to the holiday period, the deadline has been extended from 16 July to 30 August 2018*
One question that regularly pops up in the Fairtrade inbox is ‘are there any products that are both Fairtrade and vegan?’ Well, wonder no more!
The answer is yes – and it’s more than just bananas! This week on the blog we asked our colleague Amy, who works in our business team (and who also happens to be vegan), to pick out her top nine cruelty free and Fairtrade products.
Amy says ‘I was pleased to find just how many vegan Fairtrade products there are available. And on this search, it was interesting to find that many things I thought were vegan, may, in fact not be (wine, I’m looking at you).’ Find out what else she chose just click below.
This is the web site of the Mid-Formartine Fairtrade group. We originally set out with the aim of making our area a fairtrade zone. Having recently achieved this we are now aiming to increase awareness of Fairtrade in business and community life.
On this site you will be able to find out about us and what we are doing to achieve our goals.
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This is the web site of the Mid-Formartine Fairtrade group. We originally set out with the aim of making our area a fairtrade zone. Having recently achieved this we are now aiming to increase awareness of Fairtrade in business and community life.
Fairtrade Formartine 