WHEN Fairtrade products appeared on supermarket shelves all those years ago, I thought it was a breath of fresh air that, finally, growers in poorer parts of the world were being paid a better price for their produce than the usual poverty prices paid by supermarkets for growers’ produce.
The downside of Fairtrade for me and many others was that only middle class people could afford to buy Fairtrade products on a regular basis due to the higher prices charged for these products. Then an organisation called “Just Change” took the idea of Fairtrade to a new level.
“Just Change” allows communities to buy directly from the grower — no middle men, no supermarket marks-ups, and products that are affordable to all and not just to middle class people with higher incomes.
The Fairtrade movement began the process of fairer buying from farmers and producers, which is admirable, but the real and sustainable way forward lies with “Just Change” and its direct approach between producer and buyer.
I hope that “Just Change”
flourishes in the future and leads the way to removing the greedy middle men forever.
Steve Jones Morris Green
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article