Fairtrade and co-operatives: a perfect blend

The Co-operative Group has been championing Fairtrade in the UK for many years.
Considering our ethics and values of course, it only makes sense that we would do everything we can to ensure that what we sell in our stores not only benefits our members but benefits those who produce the food as well.

As this is the International Year of the Co-operatives, it is the perfect time to showcase how the co-operative model and Fairtrade can work together to ensure an even fairer deal for our producer partners.

This year we are delighted to welcome two Fairtrade producers, who are also members of producer co-operatives, to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight with us.

Joseph Cheruiyot joins us from the Kibagenge project in Kenya where The Co-operative Group is supporting a groundbreaking project helping small holder tea farmers to not only form a co-operative but also to gain Fairtrade status. Demetrio Jimenez Gonzalez is a founder member of the COOBANA co-operative in Panama which along with other suppliers is helping us to convert our entire banana range in stores to Fairtrade.

These two fascinating producers will be touring the UK meeting members, visiting schools and community groups, and spreading the message of how complimentary the co-operative and Fairtrade models really are.

They will also be blogging with Fairtrade Foundation and doing a live question and answer session hosted by the Co-operative News Global News Hub. Visit s.coop/FT2012 to submit a question and be part of the conversation!

To explore the unique blend of co-operatives and Fairtrade visit www.co-operative.coop/2012/Fairtrade. Here you can follow the tour on Facebook and Twitter, book on to open events, read more about our producers, learn some Fairtrade facts and play the Fairtrade game to be in with a chance to win a fantastic Fairtrade hamper.

We are also running a fantastic competition for a member of The Co-operative Group who has shown long term commitment to both Fairtrade and co-operatives, to visit a Fairtrade producer in their home country. To nominate someone or yourself and to find out more details, visit the website. See you on tour!