Interesting Numbers

Fairtrade = 80 million consumers
Fairtrade = 8 million beneficiaries
Fairtrade = Turnover of € 3 billion (2010)
Fairtrade = Represents 0.02% of world trade ... with an average annual growth of 20% per year.

FTL at Zeytouna Bay

FTL's Certification

FTL received, on Saturday, a certification that testifies its participation to the Beirut Cooking Festival. It was one of the best experience FTL has ever had! Thank you all for your support and your help! See you on the next event.

Join us at the Beirut Cooking Festival

FTL at Annecy - France

We just received some pictures of FTL's products exposed in Annecy-France, at Artisans du Monde shop. Indeed, some friends went for a walk in the old streets of Annecy. Suddenly, they found a store that sells Fair Trade products. They stopped by and searched for our items.

Apparently, our Zaatar, Boulgour, Chickpeas and Lentils are a success. 

FTL at WFTO Regional Conference in Tanzania

Dear FTL Fans,

This is to announce you that FTL (Fair Trade Lebanon) will be present at the WFTO (World FairTrade Organisation) Regional Conference! 

It will be held in Tanzania, from the 16th of September till the 22nd.

Facts about Rural Women

In 10 days we celebrate the World Rural Woman's Day, here are some interesting facts and challenges....

Rural Women, mainly farmers, are at least 1.6 billion and represent more than a quarter of the total world population.

Women produce on average more than half of all the food that is grown: up to 80% in Africa, 60% in Asia, between 30 and 40 % in Latin America and Western countries.

Women own only 2% of the land and receive only 1% of all agriculture credit.

Only 5% of all agricultural extension resources are directed to women.

Women represent 2/3 of all illiterate people.

The number of rural women living in poverty has doubled since 1970.

Source: International Federation of Agricultural Producers

All eyes on South Africa

This summer, the FIFA World Cup has got all eyes on South Africa. See how football opens up perspectives for fair trade producers…

Fair Trade Labeling Organizations (FLO) represent 24 organizations working to secure a better deal for producers. FLO own the FAIRTRADE MARK, the product label that certifies that the international Fair Trade standards have been met.

One of the objectives of those standards is to provide an additional Fairtrade Premium to producers, which can be invested in projects that enhance social, economic and environmental development.

In the video, the fairtrade certified winery Stellar Organics is using the fairtrade premium to initiate a recreational project for its workers and their children. The winery is actually building a football field, changing rooms and social clubs.

More here.

Source of Picture , video and info: FLO website

Who benefits from Fair Trade?

The Farmer

• Fair trade increases annual incomes of small farmers

• Fair trade helps put in place tools for self-sufficiency

• Fair trade assists small farmers to stay out of high interest debt

• Fair Trade helps build infrastructure in farmers community
  

The Consumer

• Fair trade lets consumers have a clear conscience about their purchases

• Fair trade lets consumers assist and empower others with their buying power

• Fair trade lets consumers be part of a social justice movement through a simple action

• Fair trade allows consumers to initiate a chain of responses that will positively impact the lives of poor coffee farmers and their families.

The Environment

• Small farmers aim to use organic methods, which are more environmentally friendly and sustainable

• Small farmers disperse their plants throughout a region, a more environmentally friendly method

More facts about Fair Trade, here.

Fair Trade has 1001 destinations for You

You are probably sitting on your couch or behind your desk at work or at home...We're guessing the sun is probably up and you feel it's quiet warm, you are probably wondering which window to open and let some wind in. Lebanon is actually starting to get hot...We guess we're on the same pace as Canada and Europe today.

So here is the deal...we selected some products that would freshen up your day. Products of Fair Trade, some we tasted & loved, and others we would like to come across real soon.

The aim is to give you a glimpse of many items available in the realm of Fair Trade and show you how this movement thrives to be truly global and affect as many small producers as possible.

ETHIQUABLE launched a Thai Rice beer! Must be great with barbecues.

You can also taste Alter Eco's Green Tea leaves picked in India and flavored with Jasmine

Or how about some spicy banana chips from Ecuador? (We tasted those, so crunchy!)



Also, OXFAM has selected a wide range of coffee beans exported from Latin American countries

ALTER ECO brings us some great chocolate as well; The white Chocolate with Coco is deliciously addictive. You will eat the whole bar all by yourself (trust me.)

We still haven't mentioned the Mango Juice from Peru, the Cashew Nuts from Africa, the Sugar Cane from Haiti...Ah this is mind-torturing!!

Welcome to our World...You are now stuck with us!

We will be in Lille, FRANCE

Fair Trade Lebanon will be in Lille at the National Forum of Fair Trade. Pay a visit to our stand in the Food section.

Join us 0n Sunday the 9th of May:

-From 11:00 am until 12:00 pm : FTL will host a cuisine workshop and share some Mediterranean recipes with the crowd.

-From 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm: FTL will take part of a general debate around the topic of Development and Fair Trade in economies of crisis.


Practical Info:
Dates: from 8th until 10th of May
Time: Everyday from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm.
Address : Lille Grand Palais - hall Paris 1, Boulevard des Cités Unies 59000 Lille
Website: http://www.forumequitable.org/

What if you could change the world?

Coldplay singer, Chris Martin joins efforts with Oxfam for the Make Trade Fair campaign.

"Why campaign on trade?

World trade rules have been developed by the rich and powerful on the basis of their narrow commercial interests. Rich countries and powerful corporations have captured a disproportionate share of the benefits of trade, leaving developing countries and poor people worse off. Trade rules should be judged on their contribution to poverty reduction, respect for human rights, and environmental sustainability.

Instead of robbing half the world of a proper living, trade could help millions of poor farmers and workers in developing countries beat poverty, and change their lives for good.

But this will not happen unless countries change the way they trade.
So we’re campaigning hard to make sure they do." -Oxfam International

More here.



"We forget that we can become part of the influential body ourselves, just by grouping together or speaking louder. If no one speaks, no one shouts then no one does anything. And that's why I speak, that's why I shout and I do my bit and you do your bit and that's how change happens" -Chris Martin.