FAIRTRADE NEWS

Awareness of the FAIRTRADE Mark rockets to 50%!

Figures released in May 2005 from MORI (Market and Opinion Research International) show that:

* 50% of the adult population can now identify the FAIRTRADE Mark.

* The highest recognition of the FAIRTRADE Mark is amongst the 25-34 age group (a 19 point increase to 55%).

   People in this group are now just as likely as older age groups to buy Fairtrade products regularly.

* An increasing number of people who recognise the FAIRTRADE Mark say they became aware of it through

  word of mouth - up from 16% in 2004 to 23% this year. This is a tribute to the tireless work of thousands of

  campaigners for Fairtrade who spread the word in workplaces, schools, universities, churches, trade unions

  and community organisations.

* Of those aware of the FAIRTRADE Mark, over three quarters (78%) say they have bought a product carrying the

  Mark on at least one occasion. This has risen substantially from the year before when a similar question

  showed 63% had done so. One third of those who recognise the Mark are regular purchasers, buying one or

  more Fairtrade products at least once a month.

Read more at www.fairtrade.org.uk/news_press_releases.htm

Product Updates

Marks & Spencer are now offering Fairtrade tea in their in-store Cafe Revive coffee shops, the UK's third largest coffee shop chain. This follows their recent switch to Fairtrade coffee which was so successful that the company has also decided to make Fairtrade bananas, mangoes, avocadoes and pineapples available in the fresh produce section of its food halls.

Fairtrade Certified Rice: The first rice to be certified by the Fairtrade Foundation was launched in selected Tesco supermarkets in June. The organic basmati rice is grown by smallholder farmers in the foothills of the Himalayas in North India. It is marketed by Community Foods Ltd in their 'Crazy Jack' range and can be found in the organic sections of 150 Tesco stores across the country. If it isn't in your store, ask the manager to stock it! Read more at www.fairtrade.org.uk/products_rice.htm