So often many farmers in the developing world have to contend with fluctuating prices that may not even cover the cost of producing their crops, and this has disastrous effects on them and their families. Fair Trade organisations work primarily with small businesses, worker-owned and democratically run co-operatives and associations which bring significant benefits to workers and their communities. Producers receive a fair wage when they are paid fairly for their products. It means that workers are paid a living wage which enables them to cover basic needs, including food, shelter, education and health care for their families. Paying a fair wage does not necessarily mean that the consumer pays more for their products. Since fair trade organisations by pass the exploitative middlemen and work directly with the producers, they are able to cut costs and return a greater percentage of the retail price to the producers.

Can West become a Fair Trade Church?

In the light of this very sketchy summary of the benefits of fair trade I think we need to think seriously about how we shop. It seems to me that we can begin to help those farmers in the developing world in a small way by deciding that all our organisations in the church should use fairly traded tea and coffee when they are catering for their organisation. I would ask you to think seriously about this if you are involved in any organisation in church. All the supermarkets carry these fairly traded goods and of course Rachel Surgenor can provide them from her shop, Pueblos.

What does God say?

This is what God says about it from Isaiah 58 (in The Message )

‘This is the kind of fast that I am after: To break the chains of injustice, Get rid of exploitation in the workplace, Free the oppressed, Cancel debts.’

Do we have a choice?

Jane Richardson

Jane Richardson challenges West Church organisations to help West become a Fair Trade Church. She is also a volunteer for Tear Fund, a Christian charity that works with the world's poor.

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For any further information contact the church office.

www.fairtrade.org

www.tearfund.org