UK retailer Waitrose has announced that it plans to make all of its 46 private label tea products Fairtrade certified by October 2017.
Currently 43 of Waitrose’s private label teas are already Fairtrade certified, with the exception of its three Earl Grey tea lines, which will complete the conversion in October.
“We’re proud supporters of the Fairtrade Foundation and have seen first-hand their strong track record of supporting farmers who most need it,” said Rupert Thomas, commercial director at Waitrose.
“We’ve found that our customers are extremely loyal towards Fairtrade products and appreciate our long-standing and continued commitment - it highlights the investment in and support for the people, communities and businesses that produce our food.”
Fairtrade Benefits
Tea farmers can choose how to spend the Fairtrade Premium generated by the programme, investing in their business or community projects such as schools, health clinics or leisure facilities.
“This move means all Waitrose’s own label black and green tea will be 100% Fairtrade,” said Emma Mullins, tea supply chain manager at Fairtrade Foundation.
“This is fantastic news that will help improve the lives of some of the poorest tea farmers in China, who have previously invested their Fairtrade Premium in schools, sanitation, and tea quality and productivity projects, benefiting farmers and the wider community.”
Long-Standing Engagement
Waitrose first committed to the Fairtrade Foundation in 2007 and currently stocks 250 Fairtrade-certified products. All of its own label speciality sugars are certified, along with the majority of its own label block chocolate. Waitrose was also the first retailer to switch 100% of its bananas to Fairtrade in 2007.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Larissa Zimmer. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
