Fairtrade - guarantees a better deal for third World producers
What is Fairtrade?
The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label appearing on products to guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal.
The FAIRTRADE Mark guarantees that products meet Fairtrade standards, so growers of the Fairtrade certified flowers receive a fair and stable price which covers the cost of production, and an additional Fairtrade Premium for investment in community development projects. Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) sets the international Fairtrade standards which all producers are certified against. For more information about Fairtrade, visit www.fairtrade.org.uk.
Who decides how to spend the Fairtrade premium sum and how it is distributed?
- A specially elected committee known as the Joint Body consisting of farm workers and management representatives identifies projects that the Fairtrade premium fund can be used for. This is strictly regulated and policies are put in place to ensure clerical transparency and effective control of the funds. There are clear FLO guidelines on how the premium committee should operate to fulfil the requirements for transparency and good governance.
Specific projects that money from Tesco.com Fairtrade Sales and Tesco.com flower suppliers have contributed to in Kenya include:
- Part payment for construction of classrooms in a secondary school.
- Part payment for construction of water troughs to provide fresh water to cattle on pastoral farms.
- Construction of a bridge across a river. This was to provide access to and from a local community.
- Provision of bursaries for education for farm workers children in secondary schools, universities and training colleges.
- Specific funds for medical equipment such as prosthesis and hearing aids.
Along with Fairtrade certified tea, coffee and other products, Tesco.com offers a beautiful selection of Fairtrade bouquets, sourced from farms in Kenya which comply with international Fairtrade employment, social and environmental standards.
For more information regarding Fairtrade, please visit www.fairtrade.org.uk.
Where do Tesco.com Fairtrade flowers come from?
Tesco.com Fairtrade flowers are sourced from farms in:
- Kenya
- Sri Lanka
A large volume of Tesco.com Fairtrade flowers are sourced from Kenya. As it lies on the equator, it has a consistent climate which enables flowers to be grown all year round. The farms sourced from in Kenya all offer equal opportunities and believe in investing in the future of their workers. Workers are seen as an investment for the future therefore each worker and their family is entitled to the following:
- Adequate living facilities including canteens and shops.
- Education and leisure facilities.
- Day Care and Medical facilities.
- Advanced payment schemes including use of banks and ATM machines.
In addition, these farms are Fairtrade certified and comply with international Fairtrade standards.
