Bart Spices
Bart Spices
York Road,
Bedminster,
Bristol, BS3 4AD
0117 9773474
www.bartspices.com
BART SPICES OFFER
To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, Bart Spices are offering flavour readers a FREE Fairtrade Organic Peppercorn Mill worth £3.89 when ordering online at www.bartspices.comPlease quote FAV03
BART SPICE’S FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT
Bart Spices are launching Fairtrade Fortnight on Monday 22nd February outside Bordeaux Quay where an enormous Fairtrade dish will be cooked for the public, encouraging people to learn more about Fairtrade products while also sampling a tasty meal made to a Mozambiquean recipe! This is the 20-year anniversary of the relationship between Bristol and the Mozambique region of Beira and a Fairtrade producer from Beira will be present at the event.Monday 22nd February, 12-2pm, Bordeaux Quay.
TWith Fairtrade fortnight taking place between February 22
– March 7, flavour talks to Bart Spices managing director
Matthew Shaw to see why he thinks Fairtrade products
make for a more equitable and sustainable future...
You recently made a research trip to Sri Lanka, can you explain how such trips form such an important part of the Bart Spices ethos?
We believe that it’s important to see for ourselves how our spices are farmed and meet the people who are involved in the growing and nurturing of our products. By building links with farmers and growers we can understand how to best support them and in so doing, provide high quality products for our consumers.
There has been recent media coverage putting Fairtrade in a bad light, reducing it to another example of Western feel-good tokenism. How would you counter this?
I believe that Fairtrade helps some of the poorest farmers in the developing world. I don't think that Fairtrade is the answer to everything. However, it is a force for the good and a significant step to build up awareness amongst consumers. Fairtrade is an important part of our commitment to sustainable business and we see it as a positive ethos for the company to have.
Some feel that British farmers are struggling and that charity should begin at home. Are there any practices within the company that supports British farmers?
The vast majority of our spices and ingredients are sourced from developing countries and typically in the tropics, simply because they can’t be grown in the UK due to climate and growing conditions. As such, our ability to support UK Farmers is limited. We are encouraging consumers to cook from scratch and do all we can to support local products in our recipes. For example we have provided recipes for the campaign to raise awareness of Chantenay carrots.
How long have you offered a Fairtrade products range and been supporting your Fairtrade networks?
We launched our first Fairtrade product in 2005 and since then we’ve developed the range each year. We currently have 14 Fairtrade products in our range and we‘re looking into expanding it further as consumer demand grows with the addition of 4 new products this year. We‘re committed to providing the best spices from all over the world whilst offering a better deal to producers in developing countries.
What would you say to those who struggle to understand the benefits of buying Fairtrade?
I’ve personally been to visit the farmers and families that supply our Fairtrade spices and I’ve witnessed first-hand significant improvements that have been made as a direct result of the Fairtrade scheme. Clean water supplies, community centres and developing agricultural practices have all been benefits that we are proud to have contributed towards.
Can you tell flavour about how some of the projects you’ve been involved with have affected the individual’s lives?
The SOFA (Small Organic Farmers Association) has funded many projects using the Fairtrade premium from the sales of Bart Fairtrade products. These include developing an agricultural development programme and distributing farm animals and planting materials to local farmers. This also includes supplying plenty of farming training in worm culturing and bee keeping. There’s also been a large social welfare programme set up for small farmers and women, encouraging self-employment and independence. Books have been given to schools and pre-schools have been created. The social responsibility programme has also encouraged awareness and education in water supply and the importance of re-planting.
What percentage of premium from each product makes its way into sustainable projects in Sri Lanka?
The answer to this varies by product. For every product there is an agreed "farm gate price" that guarantees a fair price to the farmer and reduces the cut of traditional "collectors" who often pay below a fair price. In addition to this a percentage of sales go back into the local community as a "social premium", these funds are spent by the communities and are agreed through the local co-operatives.
Can you see Fairtrade being a long-term, sustainable option for encouraging and positively influencing better trading relations, working and living opportunities?
Yes, as long as we continue to talk about the benefits and care for our planet then Fairtrade should have a growing impact on our lives.
How would you say the Bristol community has responded to your efforts with introducing Fairtrade awareness?
There’s massive local awareness of Fairtrade. I personally believe that as a city we have a strong awareness and conscience about how we develop business and trade. We have worked with the Fairtrade Network in Bristol for our event this year and we have been really impressed by all the Fairtrade activities planned for the city of Bristol.
Who are your largest suppliers and how has Fairtrade made a difference to them?
We work with several Fairtrade suppliers, however, the most significant is our partner "BioFoods" in Sri Lanka who are linked to SOFA. The work that both parties have done has helped to implement the Fairtrade standards and bring them to the market. Fairtrade has made a massive impact on the welfare of the families and farmers who are members of SOFA. It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness that impact first-hand.
You recently made a research trip to Sri Lanka, can you explain how such trips form such an important part of the Bart Spices ethos?
We believe that it’s important to see for ourselves how our spices are farmed and meet the people who are involved in the growing and nurturing of our products. By building links with farmers and growers we can understand how to best support them and in so doing, provide high quality products for our consumers.
There has been recent media coverage putting Fairtrade in a bad light, reducing it to another example of Western feel-good tokenism. How would you counter this?
I believe that Fairtrade helps some of the poorest farmers in the developing world. I don't think that Fairtrade is the answer to everything. However, it is a force for the good and a significant step to build up awareness amongst consumers. Fairtrade is an important part of our commitment to sustainable business and we see it as a positive ethos for the company to have.
Some feel that British farmers are struggling and that charity should begin at home. Are there any practices within the company that supports British farmers?
The vast majority of our spices and ingredients are sourced from developing countries and typically in the tropics, simply because they can’t be grown in the UK due to climate and growing conditions. As such, our ability to support UK Farmers is limited. We are encouraging consumers to cook from scratch and do all we can to support local products in our recipes. For example we have provided recipes for the campaign to raise awareness of Chantenay carrots.
How long have you offered a Fairtrade products range and been supporting your Fairtrade networks?
We launched our first Fairtrade product in 2005 and since then we’ve developed the range each year. We currently have 14 Fairtrade products in our range and we‘re looking into expanding it further as consumer demand grows with the addition of 4 new products this year. We‘re committed to providing the best spices from all over the world whilst offering a better deal to producers in developing countries.
What would you say to those who struggle to understand the benefits of buying Fairtrade?
I’ve personally been to visit the farmers and families that supply our Fairtrade spices and I’ve witnessed first-hand significant improvements that have been made as a direct result of the Fairtrade scheme. Clean water supplies, community centres and developing agricultural practices have all been benefits that we are proud to have contributed towards.
Can you tell flavour about how some of the projects you’ve been involved with have affected the individual’s lives?
The SOFA (Small Organic Farmers Association) has funded many projects using the Fairtrade premium from the sales of Bart Fairtrade products. These include developing an agricultural development programme and distributing farm animals and planting materials to local farmers. This also includes supplying plenty of farming training in worm culturing and bee keeping. There’s also been a large social welfare programme set up for small farmers and women, encouraging self-employment and independence. Books have been given to schools and pre-schools have been created. The social responsibility programme has also encouraged awareness and education in water supply and the importance of re-planting.
What percentage of premium from each product makes its way into sustainable projects in Sri Lanka?
The answer to this varies by product. For every product there is an agreed "farm gate price" that guarantees a fair price to the farmer and reduces the cut of traditional "collectors" who often pay below a fair price. In addition to this a percentage of sales go back into the local community as a "social premium", these funds are spent by the communities and are agreed through the local co-operatives.
Can you see Fairtrade being a long-term, sustainable option for encouraging and positively influencing better trading relations, working and living opportunities?
Yes, as long as we continue to talk about the benefits and care for our planet then Fairtrade should have a growing impact on our lives.
How would you say the Bristol community has responded to your efforts with introducing Fairtrade awareness?
There’s massive local awareness of Fairtrade. I personally believe that as a city we have a strong awareness and conscience about how we develop business and trade. We have worked with the Fairtrade Network in Bristol for our event this year and we have been really impressed by all the Fairtrade activities planned for the city of Bristol.
Who are your largest suppliers and how has Fairtrade made a difference to them?
We work with several Fairtrade suppliers, however, the most significant is our partner "BioFoods" in Sri Lanka who are linked to SOFA. The work that both parties have done has helped to implement the Fairtrade standards and bring them to the market. Fairtrade has made a massive impact on the welfare of the families and farmers who are members of SOFA. It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness that impact first-hand.