Fairtrade chocolate has got 20% off in Co-op at the moment. I was sceptical because I had always heard that Fairtrade chocolate isn’t that nice. I opted for 150g of dark chocolate for only 85p. It wasn’t quite as flavoursome as its pricey cousin, Green & Blacks – or as sweet as the ubiquitous Dairymilk. It had a floury complexion, similar to cooking chocolate, and it didn’t quite melt in the mouth. However, it was the cheapest chocolate on offer and did the job of stemming my chocolate addiction for another 24 hours.

It’s Fairtrade Fortnight at the moment so give it whirl and see if your conscience will overcome your sweet-tooth.

Fairtrade chocolate at Chocolate Trading co £3.45

Fairtrade Chocolate from Thorntons from £1.99

Fairtrade Fortnight is the Fairtrade Foundation’s annual campaign call to people in the UK to promote awareness of Fairtrade and buy products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark. In 2009 it will take place from 23 February – 8 March.

This year’s activities will commence on the 19 February with a top-level conference at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster.

Regional debates on trade, climate change and ethical shopping:
Oxford 23 February
Cardiff 25 February
Birmingham 2 March
Edinburgh 4 March
Leeds 5 March

Register for the regional debates at www.fairtrade.org.uk

Fairtrade Fortnight’s official public launch will be a sporty day of fun and games for all the family on London’s South Bank, near Gabriel’s Wharf on Sunday 22 February.

There will be a 24-hour world record attempt for the number of people simultaneously eating a Fairtrade banana across the UK between noon on Friday 6 and noon on Saturday 7 March. To help break the record, register online at www.fairtrade.org.uk.

Fairtrade Hampers from Virginia Hayward

Virginia Hayward are purveyors of luxury hampers and gifts. They are joining in the Fairtrade Fortnight with a selection of Fairtrade hampers. They said of the items:

It’s a cause that we passionately believe in, as what could be better than to give a gift in which every product is giving something back to the producers?

Click here to visit Virginia Hayward’s Fairtrade section.

Fairtrade at Adili

Adili have a commitment to ethical trade and retail a large number of ethical brands. You can shop by ethics or by brand, allowing you to pick the items which sit well with your conscience. These bootcut jeans are £49 and have been made from Fairtrade denim:

Fairtrade Denim Jeans £49

Click here to check out Adili’s Fairtrade policies and products.

Marks and Spencers

Marks & Sparks have a wide range of Fairtrade products available from cotton pads to bed sheets to baby clothes. There are four different bottles of Fairtrade wine and a breakfast larder which includes egg cups and strawberry conserve – a perfect gift. Click on the image below to look at M&S’s Fairtrade selection:

Marks and Spencer Fairtrade Breakfast Larder Gift Pack

John Lewis

John Lewis stock Fairtrade towels, clothes, flowers, honey and chocolate. Click here to read about Fairtrade cotton (in pdf) or click on the image to visit the John Lewis Fairtrade selection:

Plain Dye Fairtrade Towels

If you work in procurement and are in charge of ordering the sugar, tea and biscuits for your firm, why not buy Fairtrade and mention the fact on your company website? You can order Fairtrade items in bulk from Office Giant (click here) or Office Stationery (click here).