Fairtrade supported by Tesco Port Talbot
28th March 2007
Aberavon MP, Dr Hywel Francis, and AM, Dr Brian Gibbons, have visited the Tesco Store in Port Talbot to find out about the work they are doing to promote Fairtrade goods in their stores.
By buying Fairtrade, customers can help make a real difference to the communities where the goods are produced.
Fairtrade guarantees that the producer has been paid a price that covers the cost of production, plus a premium to be spent on projects which help communities such as better healthcare, sanitation, education or housing.
Pictured with Dr Francis and Dr Gibbons are Cllrs Peter Lloyd and David Lewis, Tesco Store Manager, Jeff Jones, Stock Control Manager, Zoey Jones, Fresh Food Manager, Alison Jones and Fairtrade Officer Natalie Aylott.
Dr Francis said,
"Fairtrade schemes make a hugely positive impact on the lives of producers in the developing world. I congratulate Tesco on the excellent work they are doing to promote Fairtrade and to introduce new products into their range."
The Tesco Fairtrade flowers come from an existing Tesco supplier in Kenya who has now been certified by the Fairtrade Foundation.
Over the past several years, Tesco has been working with its supplier in Kenya to improve conditions through projects including setting up a school for workers' children, building housing for workers and also environmental projects to treat water through the plantation of reed beds.
"This is good news for producers who will benefit from the additional sales and good news for consumers who will see a much greater choice of quality Fairtrade products in stores" said Tesco Port Talbot Store Manager Jeff Jones: "We are already the biggest seller of Fairtrade products and are now offering our customers the widest Fairtrade range available anywhere in the UK."
"The success of products like our Fairtrade bananas and oranges tell us our customers are hungry for more and our new expanding range means more choice than ever."
"We are confident our new own label range will be very popular with our customers. By adding completely new products like the Kenyan roses and launching our own label range we hope to grow the Fairtrade market even further."
"Tesco has supported Fairtrade since its launch 11 years ago is supporting Fairtrade Fortnight by promoting the new range in stores across the country with in-store tastings, promotional offers including double clubcard point events and information."
"We know from experience that this will encourage more customers to try these great products and benefit farmers and workers in the third world."
