It’s a joy to be back in schools for Fairtrade Fortnight with two workshops at Coop Academy Oakwood in Leeds. Both Year 4 classes were full of curiosity and eager with questions to discover how to ‘Be The Change’ with Fairtrade. Almost all hands went up when asked if they recognised the Fairtrade mark and together we were able to list lots of Fairtrade products they’d spotted in supermarkets, but even the teachers were surprised to discover our fairandfunky hoodies also carry the Fairtrade mark as they are made with Fairtrade cotton.
But what is Fairtrade, and why is it important? In LOVE FAIRTRADE workshops we focus on the one product everyone loves: Chocolate. We all know we buy chocolate in shops, and we all know that there are cocoa farmers. But it’s only by taking the time to think about all the processes in between that we begin to understand the supply chain of chocolate. What happens to the beans once harvested? Where are the chocolate factories? How are the cocoa beans transported? How do you actually make chocolate? We don’t usually consider all these factors when we nibble away on our favourite chocolate bar, and we often don’t stop to think about all the people along the supply chain, and how they all need to be paid for the work they do.
“The informative and creative workshop enabled our students to deepen and consolidate knowledge of Fairtrade – from farm to fork.” Year 4 class teacher.
Trade is complicated, but the understanding of fairness is not. The students from Coop Academy Oakwood were very quick to identify “it’s not fair!” It’s not possible to pay everyone along the supply chain equally. The jobs are very different and happen in different countries. But it is possible to pay people fairly. And this is where Fairtrade comes in, to support the producer communities right at the beginning of the supply chain. Fairtrade is a guarantee that farmers are paid a fair price. And when chocolate companies go Fairtrade they work collaboratively with producers, ensuring farmers can support their families, invest in their communities and work to combat climate change.
“Many of our children have family in Fairtrade countries. We learnt a lot from the activities and now have a heart to carry the Fairtrade message into communities.” Year 4 class teacher.
Understanding Fairtrade and talking about Fairtrade are the first steps we can all take to change the world for farmers. With this in mind all students looked closer at the Fairtrade mark and its connection with people and planet. When we see the Fairtrade mark we know that the farmers behind the product, the people right at the beginning of the supply chain are paid a fair price. To carry this message out of the classroom, and to perhaps influence change in shopping habits, everyone made a LOVE FAIRTRADE mobile using recycled Fairtrade packaging.
“I liked that we were crafty and were able to learn about all the different parts of making chocolate. We all had fun!” Year 4 student.
Congratulations to Class 9 and Class 10 at Coop Academy Oakwood for taking your own little steps to change the world in a fairandfunky workshop.
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