Samples of breakfast, rooibos and iced teas poured alongside raindrops in Town this weekend, as Fairtrade Guernsey held a stall to kick-off Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from today until 5 October.
It aims to spend the next couple of weeks explaining about the injustices faced in the tea sector.
‘We’re here to encourage people to look out for the Fairtrade logo when they shop,’ said Hannah Davis, secretary of Fairtrade Guernsey Steering Group.
‘We all drink tea every day. It’s the most popular drink in the world, with something like nine billion cups consumed globally. It’s produced all around the world and I think the majority of it by smallholder farmers who often only receive 1% of the retail price.
‘There are lots of issues in the supply chain that tea drinkers might not be aware of and Fairtrade tries to address those.
‘Farmers are not only underpaid, but they’re also suffering with the impacts of climate change, and workers on tea plantations are very vulnerable to abuse, with a lot of sexual harassment and human rights issues.
‘We want to raise awareness and encourage people to keep drinking tea, but ensure that everybody gets a fairer deal.’
Among its selection of teas, the stall sold a variety of other Fairtrade products, including chocolate and coffee. It had a tea game for children and a chance to enter its competition to win a year’s supply of Fairtrade tea.
‘When it started, the teas and coffees weren’t that brilliant,’ said Anne Sandwith, who has been involved with the local committee since it was called Trade Craft in the late ‘80s.
‘But they are so good now. They really compete with the best and no more expensive. There are all sorts of things now, too – peanut butter, honey and some really good Fairtrade wines, which I always buy.’
Mrs Davis said the group is holding lots of events with local groups, businesses and schools for the fortnight. Its competition is free to enter until 5 October.
‘We’re encouraging people to have tea parties,’ she said.
As well as a joint event with The Farm Shop and a U3A tea afternoon, it will bring refreshments to States members in celebration of 20 years since the States passed a requete to support Fairtrade in its buildings, which now includes the hospital and prison.
For more information visit fairtradeguernsey.com/fairtrade-fortnight.
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