Fair trade at Sainsbury's

from The Hastings Observer

Fair trade campaigners showed their support at Sainsbury's this week for the supermarket's focus on ethically produced goods.

Coffee, tea and bananas are the main fair trade sellers according to staff member Niki Adams, but other items are proving popular with shoppers such as chocolate and honey.

The group included Fairtrade committee members Denis and Christina Lucey, Jack Doherty, and Wendy Gubby.

Jack commented: "The Bexhill Fairtrade Town Steering Group is very pleased to demonstrate our support for Sainsbury's in their change to use fair trade tea for all their own brand teas, and their special promotions and offers from January 30 to February 11.

"This illustrates two points - that larger retailers are sourcing more products ethically, and that retailers are responding to the consumers who want goods produced more fairly.

"However, looking around stores there is still a lot to be done. In four weeks time, we in Bexhill celebrate our first Fairtrade Fortnight as a Fairtrade town, and have many events highlighted.

"We would ask other stores, cafes, schools, churches and businesses to let us know what events they are planning so we can include them in our programme, such as staff using fair trade beverages.

"We also ask everyone to look for the fair trade logo while doing their shopping - because your shopping list can lift millions out of poverty, disease and illiteracy."