Here you can find out what Fairtrade’s all about and how a small change to your shopping habits can make
a difference in developing countries.
Did you know we're the worlds biggest* retailer of Fairtrade products?
How we're making a difference
Sainsbury’s was one of the first supermarkets to sell Fairtrade products 16 years ago. Since our
customers began buying Fairtrade products, they have helped thousands of individual farmers
become sustainable and profitable.
Fairtrade is not about charity, it’s about giving a fair deal to marginalised producers in developing
countries. The Fairtrade Foundation aims to raise awareness, to deepen understanding and
increase sales of Fairtrade certified products. The best way to support them is to buy products
with the FAIRTRADE Mark.
Fairly traded products have been around for many years before Fairtrade certification, but Green & Black’s Maya Gold
Chocolate was the first product certified to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark in the UK back in 1994, and Sainsbury’s was the first
supermarket to sell it.
Why should I buy Fairtrade products?
International trade may seem a remote issue, but when commodity prices fall dramatically it
has a big impact on the lives of millions of small-scale producers. An impact like this forces
many into crippling debt and countless others to lose their land and their homes.
There is a growing awareness among the UK consumers of the importance of buying Fairtrade
products to improve the situation for producers. It's better for the farmers when their products
are bought at fair prices with long-term trading relationships, helping to strengthen their business.
We're continually introducing more Fairtrade products which means more producers and their
families benefit from the international Fairtrade system. If you would like to support Fairtrade,
look for products with the FAIRTRADE Mark.
More than five million people – farmers, workers and their families – across 58 developing
countries benefit from the Fairtrade system, and, you get great products, bought with a clear
conscience, so everyone’s a winner.
Where can I buy Fairtrade products?
You can find many certified Fairtrade products in store, including tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar,
wines, fresh fruit, roses and more. There are many products that can be bought all year round,
just look for the FAIRTRADE Mark.
All our Sainsbury’s Café also sell Fairtrade tea, coffee, hot chocolate and drinking chocolate as well as a selection of Fairtrade treats.
All Fairtrade products carry this Mark, awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation charity.
See fairtrade.org.uk for more details.
* By value, UK Market share source: Kantar Worldpanel Total Grocery 52w/e 28 November 2010.
Global market source: Fairtrade Foundation.
