CROWDFUNDING - CAN YOU HELP?

Our friends at Cafédirect Producers’ Foundation are crowdfunding for Small Folders: Urban Gardening Project. The goal is to raise $25,000 to help launch an initiative that showcases smallholder knowledge and innovations.

The project will generate a sustainable income source for their programmes and, by sharing smallholder expertise with western audiences, flip the standard transfer of knowledge from the North to South on its head.

SmallFolders will help CPF to develop, modify and adapt their urban gardening products further, creating more robust products for your home, and to continue supporting their network of 280k smallholders improve livelihoods through their programmes.

You can help by making even the smallest donation, and also get some really amazing urban gardening products as rewards. Click here to see the full campaign. Samples of rewards are listed below.

Deadline: 28th December 2015

Bug Trap - a simple way of controlling unwanted bugs from destroying a harvest. From farmers of: FEDECARES, Dominican Republic

Vertical Garden - a simple way of keeping a kitchen garden in a small space From farmers of: Michimikuru Tea Factory, Kenya

CITY OF LONDON SUCCESFULLY RENEWS ITS FAIRTRADE STATUS

June 2015 - PRESS RELEASE

The City of London has been successfully in its bid to retain its status as a Fairtrade Zone.

The re-accreditation which takes place every two years under the watchful eye of the Fairtrade Foundation, is the fourth time the City has successfully demonstrated its commitment to Fairtrade since its first sought recognition in 2007.

Winning this accolade has only been possible due to the wide availability of Fairtrade products in local shops and high levels of support from local people, businesses, faith groups and schools.

The City of London’s Fairtrade Steering Group which is composed of residents, businesses, faith groups, liverymen, common councillors and even high court judges, has promoted Fairtrade through events, debates, tasting evenings and markets across the Square Mile.

Group Chairman, The Revd George R. Bush, Rector of St Mary-le-Bow Church on Cheapside said: "We’re really delighted that the City has been recognised for its efforts. City businesses, communities and institutions have taken this issue to heart and Fairtrade procurement is very much the norm for responsible businesses.”

Adam Gardner, Communities Campaigns Manager at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “We’re so pleased that the City of London has renewed their Fairtrade status and laid out clear exciting goals to take Fairtrade further.”

“Thanks to the ongoing support of the public and campaigners, an increasing number of farmers in developing countries are now selling their products on Fairtrade terms, bringing them a stable income, and the chance to trade their way out of poverty.”

Fairtrade helps small-scale farmers ensure they earn stable incomes and have long-term contracts with companies. In addition, they earn the Fairtrade Premium, which they invest as the farmer-owned co-operative democratically chooses, in projects that will benefit their business or community.

To get involved in the Fairtrade campaign in the City of London email fairtrade@cityoflondon.gov.uk

NOT GUILTY!

On Tuesday 21st April, we hosted a special evening raised awareness about the best in ethically and fairly sourced/produced wine and chocolate on the market. This unique and exclusive tasting is guided by Sarah Jane Evans, Master of Wine, and Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine, was held in the Judges’ Dining Room at the Old Bailey with kind permission of our host, Alderman and Sheriff Dr Andrew Parmley.

Over £600 in proceeds were raised from this event and donated to the Bow Food Bank. 

We look forward to holding this event again in 2016 - be sure to check back here so you can book your tickets - places are quite limited. It's a great night out!

Thanks to all of the producers for letting us feature your excellent ethically certified products:

WINES
Torres Santa Digna Estelado Sparkling Rosé, Chile
Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc 2014, Coastal, South Africa
De Bos Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014, South Africa
Journey’s End Shiraz 2009, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Finca Monteflores Malbec 2013, Mendoza, Argentina

CHOCOLATES
Amedei
Chocolate Madagascar
Damson Craft Chocolate
ICAM SpA, Vanini range chocolates
Marc Demarquette
Original Beans
Pacari
Paul A. Young
Pretat
William Curley

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 2015

We were delighted to host and participate in several events during the Fairtrade Fortnight this year, highlighting the importance of ethically source and sustainably made products. Thanks to generous funding from the Community Service Volunteers in the City of London, we were able to host a Fairtrade Market at One New Change Shopping Centre, a special photography exhibition of Fairtrade gold and silver mining in Peru, a lecture on agribusiness, and a fashion event at the City Business Library.

Vendors from Zaytoun, Divine Chocolate and Liberation Nuts at One New Change


City Fairtrade Group chair the Revd George Bush shopping at our Fairtrade Market.

Claire Lissaman of the Ethical Fashion Forum speaking at the City Business Library.

Silver mine photo exhibition in vestibule of St Mary-le-Bow Church.

I DO!

The City of London Fairtrade Steering Group were proud to assist the Fairtrade Foundation in the coordination of their Fairtrade Gold campaign launch, "I Do" on the 14th January 2015 in the City to encourage brides and grooms to buy Fairtrade gold rings ahead of Valentine's Day. Campaigners formed a 'human ring of gold' on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral to highlight the plight of gold miners living in poverty across the globe.