fair trade in Argentina
Seeing as it's Fairtrade Fortnight in the UK right now, I thought I would investigate the strength of the Fairtrade movement in Argentina.
It's quite a different situation to that in the UK. There is practically no public awareness about fairtrade from the point of view of the consumer. There is little in the shops by way of fairly traded goods, or for that matter, organic (a little) and recycled (nor recycling facilities).
In terms of producers, I have spotted a few shops or organisations working with local artesians to produced fairly traded clothes or handicrafts. The key area of development, however, is fairtrade wine. I spotted this newstory from last year about a fairtrade wine called Soluna, although I don't think it is currently avaliable in the UK:
http://www.reflector.com/hp/content/shared/news/world/stories/05/29_ARGENTINA_FAIRTRADE.html
I'll look out for it next time I'm in the supermarket (although not for me!)
Checking the Fairtrade Foundation website, there are, however, many fairtrade wines now avaliable in the UK, from South Africa, Chile and elsewhere. So, if you are a wine drinker, try them out!
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/products_wines.htm
If you want some inspiration on the growth of fairtrade in the UK, visit the Fairtrade Foundation site and read through their press release - £200 million worth of Fairtrade products sold last year in the UK - this is one area where campaigning and education for change are making a real difference.
One other thing to pass on to those of you who want to take something up for Lent and haven't got round to it yet - I have been using the Ship of Fools daily thoughts for Lent - some great activities and ideas each day during Lent.
http://www.ship-of-fools.com/lent/index.html
more next week
Comments
Have taken FairTrade assemblies in schools over here a couple of times now and find the search for FT good ever intriguing! Have found the obvious fruits, chocs and hot drinks in many shops, but noticed fairly traded Roses from Kenya the other day!
Shall have to try a fairly traded wine - all in the name of research of course.
Hope the weather with you is pleasant - it's turned mighty cold again back here... not nice at all.
Take care,
Paul C.
We sample FT choc ,bananas etc. daily but we have been asked to do a FT wine tasting evening. Of course it`s a chore but....
I already have some experience and can assure you that Argentinian FT Wine is available in UK.
Beckminster Junior Church Festival is today and is focussed on Fair Trade.