Fairtrade

Our Fairtrade Commitment

You choose to be our guest, which means HF Holidays can do good things in a big way. At each of our 17 British Country Houses you'll find Fairtrade tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

Through HF Holidays purchasing Fairtrade beverages we are helping to secure a better deal for disadvantaged producers.

What is Fairtrade?

Choose products with the
FAIRTRADE Mark
www.fairtrade.org.uk

The five key benefits of Fairtrade are:

1. farmers receive a fair and stable price for their products
2. extra amount, the Fairtrade Premium for farmers and workers to improve their lives
3. a greater respect for the environment
4. small farmers have a stronger position in the world markets
5. a closer link between consumers and producers

We’ve forecasted that HF Holidays will spend in the region of £50,000 on Fairtrade beverages each year, based on each guest consuming three cups of tea, coffee or hot chocolate per day! 

Fairtrade offers one of the best opportunities for people in developing countries to escape poverty and build sustainable lives.

Producers receive the Fairtrade Premium from the sale of Fairtrade products. The decide democratically how to spend it to best benefit their communities on projects such as schools and school equipment, healthcare facilities and healthcare equipment, pre-financing and interest free loans, business and environmental managment training and advice.

In essence, trade is used as a sustainable tool to eradicate poverty.

The more UK consumers and businesses buy products with the FAIRTRADE Mark, the more benefits (minimum price and Fairtrade premium) accrue to disadvantaged farmers.

The FAIRTRADE Mark is now recognised by 70% of UK consumers and appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal. Today, more than 7.5 million people – farmers, workers and their families – across 59 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system.

Seven in ten households purchase Fairtrade goods, which includes an extra 1.3 million more households in the last year.  UK Fairtrade sales reached an estimated retail value of £700m in 2008, a 43% increase on 2007. There are over 430 producer organisations selling to the UK and 632 certified producer groups globally, representing more than 1.5 million farmers and workers.

Growers receive a minimum price calculated to cover the cost of sustainable production.  This price is guaranteed regardless of what consumers pay for a Fairtrade product.

For more information about the Fairtrade Foundation visit: www.fairtrade.org.uk