Making sure that food and drink that can’t be produced locally has a Fair Trade certification, is a simple way that organisations can directly improve the lives of small scale farmers around the world. Fair Trade certification has great social benefits—such as ensuring that producers and workers receive a fair wage and are working in safe conditions—and also benefits the environment (see resources for more details).

When switching to Fair Trade, a good starting point is the kitchen or the hot drinks point.  Has the tea and coffee, sugar or hot chocolate powder got a recognised Fair Trade logo, such as Fairtrade, Fair for Life or Fair Wild? If not, try and speak to the person in charge of ordering and encourage them to make the switch. You can use the some of the resources below to help explain the benefits.

If your workplace has a vending machine, tuck-shop or canteen that sells snacks, there may be Fair Trade certified alternatives to many of the most popular snacks. Bananas and chocolate, fruit bars and nuts, even biscuits—nowadays there is a huge array of Fair Trade products on the market, even Fair Trade workwear. Or why not set up your own direct, fair trade relationships with suppliers?

Raising awareness about the need for Fair Trade and the impacts of unfair trade is a great way of engaging colleagues in the debate and highlighting the Fair Trade offer in your workplace. Organisations such as the Fairtrade Foundation run campaigns throughout the year, and can provide resources—many of them free—for your organisation. See the resources for more information.