Celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight with Busy Things
Fairtrade Fortnight takes place between 22nd September and 5th October this year. It is a week to raise awareness of the Fair Trade movement and to celebrate the difference we can all make by choosing Fair Trade products.
Fair Trade or Fairtrade?
Fairtrade Fortnight, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary, is organised by Fairtrade International, the largest of the Fair Trade organisations.
Today, it boasts:
- over 1.9 million farmer and worker members across more than 71 countries,
- millions of supporters, businesses and campaign groups worldwide who advocate for fairer trade practices,
- a symbol that is recognised worldwide.
What does the FAIRTRADE Mark mean?
The FAIRTRADE Mark is put on products so buyers can be confident that the farmers and workers who grew the product have received a fair price.
The logo represents optimism for the producers. The blue section represents the sky and potential; the green symbolises crops and growth. In the centre of it all, is the farmer with one arm raised in celebration.
Fair Trade as two words and with capital letters refers to the broader fair trade movement, beyond Fairtrade International, and has no logo or emblem linked to it.
Both Fairtrade International and the general Fair Trade movement are about getting better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers around the world, particularly for those in lower-income countries. They also promote sustainability to combat climate change and education for all.
Which products are Fair Trade?
There are many products which offer a Fair Trade option, and your pupils may well have some of them in their fruit bowls and cupboards at home. Have they seen the logo or specific wording? Can they think of any products that have mentioned it?
Ask them to take a look at home or browse a supermarket website in class. Challenge the children to compare the prices of Fair Trade and non-Fair Trade items and ask them to consider why Fair Trade items are generally slightly more expensive.
The Fair Trade story behind cocoa
Cocoa and chocolate are often connected with Fair Trade, and our ‘Where does chocolate come from?’ activity places a spotlight on the countries where cocoa is produced.
Activity: Where does cocoa come from?
Aim of the activity: Drag and drop the names of the different geographic areas onto the map.
What will your pupils learn?: Where cocoa comes from and the top 5 countries which produce it.
Want more detail? Try our ‘Cocoa-producing countries’ activity, which includes all 14 cocoa-producing countries.
Want to focus on other Fair Trade products? We have similar activities for bananas, pineapples, citrus fruit, coffee and tea!
What does Fair Trade mean for the growers?
Fair Trade is all about supporting the producers by giving them a fair price, supporting their communities and offering them greater opportunities. But what does this really mean?
Our fantastic, interactive and immersive ‘Interview a cocoa farmer’ activity will allow your pupils to get the answers directly from a farmer!
Aim of the activity: Ask a Fair Trade grower to find out more about the movement and its benefits.
What will your pupils learn?:
Your pupils will learn about her experience before and after joining the Fair Trade movement, how other non-Fair Trade farmers are doing in comparison and about her hopes and dreams for the future.
Please note: The responses in this activity are A.I.-generated so Ama’s responses may not always be perfect! As such, and for your own peace of mind, please try the activity before allowing your pupils on it.
Prefer more paper-based resources? The Fairtrade Foundation offer lots of teaching resources, which you may find useful.
Make a poster in support of Fair Trade!
Inspired by talking to our cocoa producer, Ama, it’s time for your pupils to convince their friends and family to pay a little bit extra to support the producers in lower-income countries.
Can they create a poster to get them to look out for the FAIRTRADE Mark?
Summary
In this blog, we look at Fairtrade Fortnight, the FAIRTRADE Mark and Fairtrade International, and the Fair Trade movement in general. We consider the products and countries involved and the benefits for those taking part. In the process, we highlight two of Busy Things’ engaging, interactive activities which support the topic. To play ‘Where does cocoa come from?’ and ‘Interview with a cocoa farmer’, you will need to take a trial. Click here to do this!