Shop Fairtrade at ALDI and empower farmers and workers

Today marks the first day of Fairtrade Fortnight, a time to reflect and recognise how Australian shoppers can make a positive impact. Running from 2nd-15th August, ALDI is proud to support the initiative that reminds shoppers that purchasing Fairtrade certified products benefits and protects the rights of farmers and workers in developing countries.

For more than 30 years, Fairtrade has been advocating on behalf of workers in developing countries. The organisation supports the establishment of sustainable farming communities, helps workers gain control over their futures, and promotes environmentally sound farming and production practices to ensure workers’ communities are protected.

“Fairtrade certification ensures that farmers and workers are paid fairly for their raw materials or product, and are supported to build sustainable enterprises that benefit their communities. The Fairtrade Mark, which features on ALDI’s range of own brand Fairtrade coffee and chocolate, tells you that the product was produced by small-scale farmers and businesses that meet internationally agreed standards,” explains Daniel Baker, Corporate Responsibility Director, ALDI Australia.

ALDI is the largest retailer of own brand Fairtrade coffee and chocolate in Australia, and best of all shoppers don’t have to spend a small fortune to improve the lives of these workers. Some of ALDI’s Fairtrade products include Just Organic Ground Coffee 250g ($4.69), Expressi Organic Coffee Capsules 16pk ($5.99), Just Organic Fairtrade Dark Chocolate ($2.79), Moser Roth Dark Chocolate in Milk, Caramel, 70% Dark, 85% Dark, Sea Salt, Orange & Almond and Dark Hazelnut ($2.69) and Moser Roth Mousse au Chocolat in White, Orange and Cherry Chilli ($2.69).

“ALDI’s commitment to sourcing and stocking Fairtrade products has been a hugely positive development for the 1.6 million farmers and workers around the world who are part of the Fairtrade system,” says Molly Harris Olson, CEO Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand.

“Thanks to ALDI, more Australian shoppers are aware of Fairtrade and are choosing to purchase Fairtrade certified products every day.”

In some industries, worker protections and environmental regulations aren’t as robust as they are here in Australia. Coffee and chocolate are two prime examples of this, with workers in these industries especially vulnerable to unfair terms of trade and poor working conditions. Producers of such products benefit from the Fairtrade Minimum Price, which helps protect them from market fluctuations and receive the Fairtrade Premium, which is re-invested into their businesses and communities.

Today, there are more than 1.6 million farmers and workers around the world who benefit directly when you choose to buy Fairtrade products, including workers in places like Sri Lanka, the Pacific Islands and Papua New Guinea.

So, next time you’re shopping in ALDI for your caffeine fix or afternoon treat, keep your eye out for the Fairtrade Mark.