Why Choose Fairtrade?

Walking down the aisles of the supermarket, I often see products with FAIRTRADE labels on them. These are usually right next to the other various brands, sitting innocuously on the shelf. But why choose Fairtrade, and what is it? The reality is that these other brands that may not be Fairtrade certified, such as tea bags and bars of chocolate, are the result of a long line of supply chains that may have used slave labour to produce them. A possible conundrum that we might encounter when pondering this is how to go about knowing how to avoid supporting products that were made using slave labour and, if we feel strongly enough about it, what we can do on our end.

Ethical shopping is something that didn’t come naturally to me when I first moved out on my own and started having to shop for myself. What always caught my eye were the prices, and to be honest, the familiarity of a brand. I often didn’t think to look for certifications or labels, or even to find out who made them and where the product came from. However, after volunteering with The Freedom Project and realising just how many companies use modern slavery in their supply chains, I found that I had a choice to make. Making decisions, like choosing Fairtrade, is one of them.

I’m lucky enough to be here in Australia, in a country that has access to all kinds of goods from all over the world. So, the question became, did I want to continue going about my business and my privilege without caring who makes what I consume and the conditions that they may be in? With the state of corporations and global supply chains, it is almost easier to feel like these situations are so far removed from us that there is nothing we can do. But in reality, becoming ethical consumers and caring about the issue of modern slavery may be enough to light the spark to create change. Personally, at the very least, it makes me feel better about myself and my place in the world.  

I hope you too decide to consider and choose Fairtrade.

FAIRTRADE Fortnight (7-20 August 2020) is a great time to reflect on how we want to consume, and who from. Supporting and purchasing FAIRTRADE products indicate that we care about how our products are made and that the people making them are treated fairly and ethically. While we plan things on a much larger scale to prevent the use of slave labour, we can also do our small part by choosing what to buy with much more mindfulness and education. All we need to do is take a little more time during our shopping trips to look for the FAIRTARDE certification on the back of the box.

Written by Sofie Barrera

Volunteer at The Freedom Project

Read about more ethical living tips in our guides.