Published 10 May 2018

Do you agree that everyone deserves fair wages, fair access to employment, education and stable futures? We do.

That’s why we’re supporting the #stand4fairness World Fairtrade Challenge May 11-13. We're also making it easy for our community to support Fairtrade every day - read on for details.

Fairtrade producers get a set minimum price for their products, which helps stabilise and protect their income streams against risks. A complimentary community fund invests in the long-term community or business projects such as training for farmers, schools and clean water schemes. This means that every time we shop Fairtrade, we show our support for equality, community and the environment.

Sustainability Trust aligns with many Fairtrade principles and is increasing the EcoShop Fairtrade product range and our Fairtrade workplace supplies this year.

In fact, our core business is built on the same principles - the products that we sell and the services we provide also generate income to fund our award-winning community programmes. 

A classic example is Jenny, the landlord:

• By choosing Sustainability Trust to install insulation in her rental property, she helps her tenant to live sustainably in a home that is warmer and needs less energy.

• Jenny pays a fair, competitive price for quality insulation that’s installed by local professionals. Her insulation lasts up to 50 years, and is made from recycled plastic, which helps divert waste from landfill.

• All the profits from Jenny’s purchase help to fund programmes like Wilderkids, the school holiday programme that gets kids outdoors and excited about the wonders of our environment, and the Wellington Curtain Bank, which upcycles pre-loved material into curtains and donates them to people on low incomes.

It's amazing, that organisations can make it easy to get great products or services and support good causes at the same time. From Fairtrade to social enterprise, organic to made local, there are many part-business and part-charities out there that we can show our support for via our purchasing power. 

This May 11-13 the World Fairtrade Challenge inspires us all to get involved and show our support for Fairtrade, from events to where and what we buy. 

• Host an event to get people talking about Fairtrade - such as a special dinner at home, morning tea at work, a school workshop or a community picnic (we're doing a staff coffee, choccy and chats morning on May 11)

• Get social - Share a photo of your Fairtrade products, the number four and #stand4fairness on Instagram or Facebook

• Choose Fairtrade products and suppliers!

Here are some of our favourite Fairtrade products made or supplied in Wellington from us, making it easy for you to support local as well as Fairtrade:

• Shopping - Commonsense Organics, TradeAid and of course from us, Sustainability Trust

• Eating -  All Good Bananas, Wellington Chocolate Factory, Little Island Coconut Ice Cream, the dark and milk Whittakers,  Traid Aid chocolate, plus dry goods like pulses, grains, sugar, tea and more

• Drinking - People's coffee, Havana coffee,  Ritual Tea Company, Karma Cola and Good Buzz kombucha 

• Wearing - Thunderpants, Kowtow and Little Yellow Bird clothing

• Using - Ethique toiletries, Trade Aid soap, natural sea sponges and twine

We’re delighted that so many people choose Sustainability Trust products and services. Every single customer and funder helps to support our award-winning community programmes. Last year, together we invested over $681,000 in programmes that empower people to live sustainably. This year it will be even more.

#stand4fairness forever!