Many employers in the UK are already offering staff the option of Fairtrade refreshments in the workplace, products such as tea, coffee and juice in canteen and staff rooms, biscuits for meetings and wine for client dining. Some even source Fairtrade certified cotton for company t-shirts and uniforms and brighten up reception areas with Fairtrade flowers! We urge employers to make the switch. To find out more and to get inspired click here.

A recent YouGov survey has revealed that despite growing support for Fairtrade in the UK, 17% of UK workers say their companies are currently serving Fairtrade products at work. Two out of five workers (38%) say they think their company should make products carrying the Fairtrade mark available to staff at work.

A frequent concern for some local businesses is that Fairtrade products will cost more. But it need not …

Many organisations have discovered that it costs no more than their previous products, and because items are now widely available from catering suppliers, wholesalers, online and all major supermarkets, it is simple for your place of work to join the thousands of others who have made the change. Speak to your existing supplier as you may be able to source from them, otherwise the Out of Home directory on the Fairtrade Foundation website lists nationwide suppliers who are registered to supply the out of home market. [You can also request a hard copy on 020 7405 5942]

Gosport Business Centre made the decision in 2009 to try to ensure that any refreshments offered at the centre were Fairtrade. This is what Andrew Western,the Centre Manager, has to say about it:

“Our usual supplier, Coffee Select in Southampton, stocked everything we needed and there was a negligible increase in costs to the Centre that was not seen as a barrier to ensuring that we used ethically sourced products.

During Fairtrade Fortnight, the Centre held a Fairtrade coffee morning and, with information provided by GFA, the licencees at the Centre tried all sorts of products, all sourced locally from normal high street supermarkets with most people commenting at their surprise at how much was available and the high quality of everything they tried.

The Centre Management continue to monitor our suppliers and we have had the vending machines stocked with as many Fairtrade products as possible as well.”

 Sourcing products

It’s easy to make Fairtrade products available to your employees, clients and customers. 

First, ask your existing supplier if they can supply them.

Small businesses may prefer to buy from local shops and supermarkets listed in the Portsmouth and Gosport directories

Traidcraft  www.traidcraft.co.uk    You can get a wide range of Fairtrade products, including sachets suitable for individual use.  Traidcraft goods are mainly sold in Churches and at one-off events but if you’d like to order their catering materials locally, contact Gill Cross gillcross@lineone.net or phone 02393 379341

Regional Suppliers include:

Ace Office Supplies, Bournemouth, [used by Gosport Borough Council]  tel 01202 240000. email: sales@aceffice.co.uk

3663, [www.3663.co.uk]  Salisbury Road, Downton, Salisbury. SP5 3HY   tel 0870 3663 650   [3663 supplies Portsmouth City Council]

Bean Leaf [www.bean-leaf.co.uk/wholesale/index.php ]  

Booker [ http://www.booker.co.uk/help/branchfinder.aspx ] Williams Road, Airport Service Road, Portsmouth. Hants. PO3 5SP   Tel  02392 673911   Fax 02392 690723

Brakes [ www.brake.co.uk/ ]

CafeDirect [www.cafedirect.co.uk/index.cfm ] is one of the leading Fairtrade tea and coffee companies.

Coffee Select  [www.coffee-select.co.uk ] Unit 55, Basepoint Centre, Anderson’s Road, Southampton.  SO14 5FE   Tel: 023 8022 6215;  Fax: 023 8022 6216.  (used by Gosport Business Centre)

Fine Foods [ www.finefoodsintl.co.uk/products_showcase.htm ] Tel  020 8549 9371.  Distributes locally.

Infinity Foods  [ www.infinityfoods.co.uk ]  67, Norway Street, Portslade. East Sussex, BN41 1AE  Tel 01273 424060

Matthew Algie  [www.matthewalgie.com/index.html ]

Palmer & Harvey, Fareham, 11 Barnes Wallis Road, Segensworth East, Fareham. Hants. PO15 5TT; Tel 01489 555800; Fax 01489 555883

PEROS [www.peros.co.uk/index.asp ] Unit 3, Lincoln Business Centre, Lincoln Road, cressex Business Park, High Wycombe, Bucks. HP12 3RD.   You can order a Peros down-loadable catalogue on line and products by Tel 01494 436426 or Fax 01494 769 545.  [Peros supplies Portsmouth City Council]

 Vending Machines - Check these out with: 

Freshcafe [www.freshcafe.co.uk] Tel 01923 291555 ; Fax  01923 291666

Bean and Leaf [http://www.bean-leaf.co.uk/wholesale/index.php ]

Fairtrade Vending  [ www.fairtradevending.co.uk ]

Revive Vending [www.revivevending.co.uk/fair-trade-vending.php ]  Tel  01725 513082 [Hampshire is part of their core area]

More Suppliers?

The Out of Home directory on the Fairtrade Foundation Website lists nationwide suppliers who are registered to supply the out of home market. [You can also request a hard copy on 020 7405 5942]

Promotional materials

If you want to promote Fairtrade in your canteen, cafe or restaurant you can order a Fairtrade Point of Sales Pack, which includes tent cards, tissue coasters, window stickers and poster, from your supplier listed in the Out of Home Directory.

Peros sell Cafedirect paper cups; http://www.peros.co.uk/ancillary.asp

CafeDirect do their own promotional materials like magnetic wraps: www.cafedirect.co.uk  Ring Christine Mogg on 07739 953046

Your local Group can help

We can help with publicity, posters, leaflets and talks about Fairtrade at Work so please do contact us to tell us what you are planning. 

Tell us

Do please contact us too to let us know what you have done, so we can update our records, add to the list of suppliers above and, if you like, list you among the businesses using Fairtrade at Work  that we plan to publish on this website.

Choose products with the FAIRTRADE Mark