Fairtrade
Supporting Fairtrade for over 30 years - Improving lives, with every basket
Fairtrade Fortnight will be taking place 21 September – 4 October 2026.
We will be celebrating how we have supported Fairtrade for over 30 years, making it easier to support farmers, workers, and their communities around the world who grow and produce many of the ingredients we enjoy every day, helping improve lives through the power of co-operation and responsible trade.
Supporting Fairtrade Timeline
Since the Fairtrade movement began in the UK, we've been proud to play our part in helping grow demand for Fairtrade products and supporting farming communities around the world. From launching our own-brand Fairtrade chocolate and becoming the first retailer to sell 100% Fairtrade coffee, to introducing Fairtrade flowers, wine and bananas, our commitment has been built on the belief that trade can be a force for good. Take a look back at some of the milestone moments that have shaped our Fairtrade journey over the past three decades and discover how the power of co-operation continues to support fairer trade and better lives.
Fairtrade Do It Fair
Every purchase we make has the power to change lives.
By choosing Fairtrade you’re helping farmers and workers around the world to earn a decent income, work in better conditions and protect our planet.
Together, we can Do it Fair and stand with the people behind the things we enjoy every day.
Improving lives. Real stories. Real Impact
People are at the heart of Fairtrade. With almost two million farmers and workers in more than 71 countries forming part of the Fairtrade system, - each one has a story to tell.
From building schools in Colombia, to installing clean water taps in Kenya, and preserving forests in India, farmers and workers are driving change in their communities with support from Fairtrade.
The Fairtrade Foundation shares producers’ stories highlighting the difference fairtrade is making to farmers and workers. Read more here
Marbin Asuncion Villegas
Dora Atiiga
Rebecca Amoth
How can you make a difference?
Choose change and make a difference in three easy steps:
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Choose Fairtrade. Whenever you can, switch to Fairtrade products and start making a difference
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Cook with Fairtrade Ingredients - view our recipes
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Use Your Voice - Spread the word about Fairtrade to those around you, using the hashtags #FairtradeFortnight, #DoItFair #ChooseFairtrade
What do Fairtrade Marks stand for?
Fairtrade Marks are there to help you make informed choices about the products you buy.
If you see a Fairtrade Mark on our products, then you can be sure you’re making an ethical purchase that benefits the producer, their community, and their local environment.
All That Can Be (ATCB)
The original FAIRTRADE Mark means that all ingredients that can be Fairtrade are Fairtrade, and those ingredients are fully traceable (kept separate from non-certified products) from farm to shelf. You see this Mark on single-ingredient products, such as Co-op bananas and coffee
All That Can Be (ATCB) Mass Balance
The FAIRTRADE Mark with an arrow is used on single-ingredient products that have been sourced using "Mass Balance". This means 100% of the volume of ingredients that can be Fairtrade are purchased as Fairtrade, but they may be mixed with non-Fairtrade ingredients at some point in the supply chain. The amount sold by Co-op as Fairtrade must match the amount purchased. This way, the farmers and workers receive the full benefits of selling that amount of product on Fairtrade terms. Read more about mass balance here
Fairtrade Sourced Ingredient (FSI)
This Mark shows the commitment to source a particular ingredient as Fairtrade.
Farmers for the labelled ingredient still receive all the benefits of Fairtrade as with the ATCB Mark, including the protection of the Fairtrade Minimum Price and the Fairtrade Premium to choose how to invest in their community.
Here's just a few of the Fairtrade products you can find in OurCoop Food stores...
Fairtrade Tea
Nothing beats a good cuppa. And by good, we mean one that's made using Fairtrade tea that helps improve communities in Kenya and Malawi. It couldn't be easier, as all our own-brand tea has been Fairtrade for over 10 years, with every brew made helping support tens of thousands of tea smallholders, workers and their communities.
Fairtrade Coffee
How do you like your coffee? We think it should be improving lives by supporting smallholder resilience and livelihoods in South America, Africa and Southeast Asia. We switched our entire own-brand coffee range to Fairtrade back in 2003 when prices were at a 30-year low, and farmers were struggling to afford to grow their coffee, and we have continued this commitment to this day.
Fairtrade Wine
We're very proud to be the world's leading retailer when it comes to Fairtrade wine. Now that's something worth raising a glass to. This prestigious accolade started back in 2001 when we became the first retailer to launch an own-brand Fairtrade wine. 14 years later, we were named the largest Fairtrade wine seller in the world. In 2022, we announced that all South African wine, across branded and own-label, is now Fairtrade, another industry first.
Fairtrade Flowers
Did you know that we were the first retailer to only use 100% Fairtrade roses when sourced from Africa? We were also the first to sign up to the new International Fairtrade Sourcing Ingredients model for flowers. This means you can double-check on the pack to be sure your blooms have been sourced responsibly. Now that's a bunch of reasons to choose us!
Fairtrade Bananas
We're bananas about Fairtrade bananas. In 2000, we were the first to stock them. Then in 2012, we switched all our bananas to Fairtrade and launched our unique banana sourcing model committing to 100% supply from banana co-operatives with at least 50% sourced from smallholders. But that wasn't enough, so in 2018, we decided that whenever we use bananas as an ingredient, Fairtrade producers benefit from it.
Fairtrade Charcoal
Our Unique partnership with Traidcraft means we support burners and workers in Namibia with our Fairtrade charcoal and BBQ set sales.
Fairtrade Cocoa
We were the first UK retailer to source all our cocoa on Fairtrade terms and launch the world's first and only own-brand 100% Fairtrade chocolate range. Every spoonful of cocoa we use helps provide around £450,000 a year in premiums for farmers across West Africa and Central America.
Fairtrade Sugar
Back in 2004, we became the first retailer to start selling Fairtrade sugar. Now it's the only type we have on our shelves, following a promise we made to support Belize smallholder associations in improving their social, economic and environmental conditions. This has been achieved in collaboration with Tate & Lyle Sugars. Sweet!
More places to Buy Certified Products
Traidcraft
Traidcraft has been at the forefront of the ethical trade movement for over 35 years. They offer a range of certified homeware, fashion, gifts, food and drinks sourced directly from growers and artisans.
Oxfam
The Sourced by Oxfam range includes certified, ethical and sustainable food, gifts and homeware. Every purchase helps Oxfam fight poverty.
BAFTS
BAFTS (British Association of Fairtrade Shops) Directory of Fairtrade members and social enterprises across the UK who sell gifts, handicrafts and specialist items.
People Tree
People Tree offers a range of 100% Fairtrade certified organic cotton clothing made to the highest ethical standards and are WFTO members.
Bala Sport
Bala Sport is a co-operative set up to make a difference to the lives of workers in Sialkot, Pakistan through sales of their ethically produced Fairtrade sports balls.
Fair Squared
Fair Squared offer cosmetics and healthcare products that are certified Fairtrade, vegan and organic.
Ingle & Rhode
Ingle & Rhode jewellery uses Gold certified to Fairtrade standards and is among the finest jewellers in the world licensed to offer jewellery made with certified Fairtrade gold.
World Fair Trade Organisation
WFTO verifies social enterprises that fully practice Fair Trade. Once verified, these enterprises use the 'Guaranteed Fair Trade' product label. Many have online shops, and they can be found through the WFTO website.
Fairtrade brands leading the way
Café Direct
Café-direct were the first coffee company to become Fairtrade certified. They invest 50% of profits into Producers Direct, a UK charity that works directly with farmers to improve sustainability and livelihoods.
Divine Chocolate
Divine Chocolate is 44% owned by the farmers who supply its cocoa - so they share Divine profits as well as receiving the Fairtrade price and premium for their cocoa.
Liberation
Liberation sells Fairtrade nuts from co-operatives including small-scale growers and farmers who own a 49% share of the company.
Tropical Wholefoods
Shared Interest is an ethical investment organisation which supports Fairtrade principles and supports producers and businesses.
Shared Interest
Shared Interest is an ethical investment organisation which supports Fairtrade principles and supports producers and businesses.