Hackney Fairtrade fortnight set to be a real treat
The Hackney Fairtrade group is calling on all chocolate lovers to think more about where their treats come from this Fairtrade Fortnight, as part of a nationwide campaign to ensure cocoa farmers are paid a fair wage.
The group is holding a screening of the documentary ‘The Chocolate Case’, hosting pop-up stalls on the Narrow Way, as well as setting up a free chocolate fountain at the Hackney Service Centre for residents to taste fairtrade chocolate. These events will help residents learn more about the cocoa industry and their power as consumers in making changes to communities worldwide by switching to fairtrade products.
To achieve a living income, cocoa farmers in West Africa need to earn £1.86 per day, while most are typically earning only 74p. This means almost all cocoa farmers in West Africa are living in poverty.
For women farmers the picture is even worse, often having fewer rights than men, and as well as planting and harvesting crops have to also look after children, cook and clean for families and transport the cocoa beans to market. According to statistics from the World Cocoa Foundation, in agriculture and in general, women perform 66 % of the world’s work, produce 50% of the food, but only manage 10% of the income and only own 1% of the property.
To change this, the Fairtrade Foundation is leading a nationwide campaign across fairtrade fortnight, which runs from 25 February to 10 March. To increase awareness among consumers on the things they buy. This year the initiative is looking at the chocolate industry and how women agricultural workers are particularly affected by unfair farming practices.
Fairtrade is about ensuring a better deal for producers in developing countries and making sure they get a good price for a good product. Buying Fairtrade products is the most significant way to help boost the economies of these communities. Consumers can make a real difference to the lives of producers and their families by simply swapping some of the items they buy every day for those bearing the Fairtrade mark.
We hope to raise awareness about the chocolate industry and how by the simple act of switching to fairtrade you can ensure farmers have a decent wage. Fairtrade Fortnight is about our power as consumers, and how we can make a positive difference to communities around the world through ethical consumption.
It’s great that a group of local people are at the heart of our fairtrade work here in the borough through the Hackney Fairtrade Network. Twelve years after becoming a fairtrade borough, I’m pleased the council continues to support Fairtrade Fortnight and that the Mayor restated his commitment to fairtrade in his 2018 manifesto. Hackney Council will continue to support initiatives that encourage sustainable consumption.
Hackney is a Fairtrade borough and has hosted Fairtrade events for the last 12 years, with the Hackney Fairtrade Group operating since 2008 to promote this ethos to local businesses and organisations, and help influence where they get their supplies.
For more information visit www.hackney.gov.uk/Fairtrade or follow @fairtradehackne on Twitter.
Events
Hackney Fairtrade Fortnight launch
Wednesday 27 February, 11-1pm
Hackney Service Centre cafe, 1 Hillman Street, E8 1DY.
Calling all chocolate fans! Dip fairtrade fruit into a fairtrade chocolate, speak to members of Fairtrade Hackney and find out more about the campaign to ensure that cocoa farmers are paid fairly for their work and are able to live a dignified life.
Friday 1 March, doors open at 7pm
St Paul’s Church, Stoke Newington Road, N16 7UY.
A short film screening of the documentary 'The Chocolate Case' - which uncovers child slavery used in the chocolate industry. Hosted by Fairtrade Hackney and Sustainable Hackney, attendees can learn more about the campaign to ensure that cocoa farmers are paid fairly for their work and are able to live a dignified life.
Hackney Fairtrade pop-up stall
Saturday 2 and Saturday 9 March, 11-4pm
St Augustine’s Sq, Narrow Way, E8 1EA.
To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, Hackney Fairtrade will be running two pop-up stalls where families can get involved in free, fun activities such as crafts, chocolate tasting and football skills with fairtrade footballs.
Hackney Fairtrade are also working on a campaign to get Mare Street officially recognised as the first Fairtrade street in Britain. This would mean over 50% of businesses on the street would need to sell at least one Fairtrade product or stock Fairtrade tea and coffee for their staff. To find out more, or to get involved email fair.trade@hackney.gov.uk.