Superquinn good SuperValu bad

You'd imagine the world's first Fairtrade Cola, tasting as good as the real thing, would be cause for celebration ? And at Superquinn it is ! UBUNTU is available in some of their stores already.

But although some SuperValus are brave enough to try it themselves, because the local owner has decided to buy it direct for him/herself, the head office has decided 'a definite NO'. Sad, but true...no reason given. Sometimes it makes you think that profit does really have priority over ethics.

Dunnes Stores NEW Fairtrade range

Dunnes Stores in Dublin - Blanchardstown, Cornelscourt, Leopardstown, Sandyford Beacon Court & Swords; Portmarnock; Newbridge; Dundalk; Tralee; Galway - Knocknacarra, Westside, Briarhill; Limerick - Jetland have launched a special new range of over 25 NEW Fairtrade drinks including teas, coffees, juices and the world's first Fairtrade Cola.

Recession is a time for making tough choices. So remember that as food prices go up, Fairtrade growers find it more difficult to buy food themselves. We only spend <20%>

Dunnes Stores earn a lot from Fairtrade

Want to know who gets most of the money from a Fairtrade product ? Try the Dunnes Stores coffee shop. These Fairtrade flapjacks cost €1.09 in the local SuperValu and Londis, but in the Dunnes Cafe they cost €2.15. The producer gets the same amount. Should this put you off Fairtrade. Absolutely NOT. But if you bought 2 flapjacks from SuperValu, went home and made your own cup of Clipper Fairtrade Tea, then MUCH more of your money would go to the growers in Malawi. Fairtrade is their only option. You and I have choices !

One Water available in Ireland

Since its success in Canada, Australia and UK, One Water has finally arrived in Ireland. The water is irish spring water so no massive carbon footprint. And its cheaper than heavily advertised brands.

Although there is no such thing as Fairtrade water, this is as good, and transparent as it gets.

100% of profits go to constructing 'play-wells' for towns and villages all over Africa. The wells are visible on google Earth. A company can have its own name on a specific well, and nothing beats the feeling you really did make a difference.

I am working to promote this rather than Bling fancy water in Superquinn for over €40 a bottle !! So if you can't afford Bling, join me. Check out One Water at http://www.onewater.org.uk/

What are SuperValu, Dunnes & Superquinn doing about this ? Meanwhile Tesco have it on sale already.

UK Fairtrade Commercial Conference

Well, Its been another excellent year for Fairtrade in the UK, with one major supermarket proving that going 100% bananas makes commercial sense ! Checkout the details, or get in touch to find out more. What else can you and your store do to take advantage of this ?

DOWNLOAD the presentations
Other keynote speakers included: Fairtrade FoundationBarbara Crowther: Communications Strategy 2008-2012David Lowbridge: Improving our OperationsMichael Nkonu: Producer support systems within FairtradeFLO CertTrevor Wood - Gearing up the global systemNatural Resources InstituteBarry Pound & Valerie Nelson: Fairtrade Impact AssessmentPricewaterhouseCoopersTeresa Fabian: Sustainability: Are consumers buying it?Henley Centre HeadlightVisionSian Davis: Sustainability, Fairtrade and the consumerA number of presentations from the day are available to download (see details below). In addition, there will be video footage of the Conference will be available on our website shortly:http://store.itsyourftp.com/~fairtrade/Commercial_Conference