What is Fairtrade? A few FAQ for our customers
“Fairtrade is a simple way to make a difference to the lives of the people who grow the things we love. We do this by changing the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions and a fair deal for farmers and workers in developing countries.”
https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/What-is-Fairtrade/What-Fairtrade-does
Qi Teas are proud to be Fairtrade, and the most of our teas carry the Fairtrade badge.(Even ones that don’t carry badge are still fairtrade tea!)
Growing consumer demand for sustainability means that Fairtrade is becoming more and more important when making a purchase, be it tea, coffee, chocolate etc. Some large high street brands have had some terrible press in the last few years with unfair, unethical working environments, painfully low wages to then drive a huge profit margin. This is bitterly unfair on the workers who work tirelessly to produce products for us here in the UK.
To be Fairtrade; What do you have to do?
We have social, economic and environmental standards we have to adhere to, set by the Fairtrade Foundation. This includes the protection of tea plantation workers rights and the environment in which they work. We pay a fair price AND an additional premium, which is to invest in community business or projects, based on the communities choice, for example donating to schools, street lights, educational grants, and the farmers even made donation to disaster relief.
How does the Fairtrade Foundation know thats what you are doing?
We are independently checked by the Fairtrade foundation to make sure all their standards are met; this includes checking the farmers, workers and everyone in our supply chain. We passed with flying colours! Which is why we are given the licence to use the Fairtrade mark for our products.
Will you continue to be a Fairtrade Company?
Absolutely! Being a Fairtrade tea company is one of our proudest accolades.