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Fairtrade blog: Day six

Sally from Newcastle’s Shared Interest - the world’s only 100% fairtrade lender continues her blog to mark Fairtrade Fortnight…

Taking the plunge into Fair Trade

Today I’m migrating away from food products and embracing more exercise. I like to try and go swimming twice a week although in reality this doesn’t always happen. As I am trying to fit my fair trade swaps into my regular routine, my new fair trade towel will be accompanying me on today’s trip to the pool.

As with socks I took running earlier in the week, my towel is a great way to provide cotton producers with a fair deal and another less obvious fair trade swap. You can purchase fair trade towels on most high streets but I got mine from North East company, Ethical Superstore . I’ll have to keep my eye out for the swimming cap and goggles, well if Traidcraft can make fair trade rubber gloves… .

Whilst my general swimming experience was a bit of a disappointment, slow swimmers in the fast lane AND a cold shower, need I say more? The towel stood up to the challenge, it was a like a cosy hug after my cold shower.

I’m not sure it’ll become a regular feature in my swimming kit though as I want to use it more than once a week!

Sunday Feb 28: The Big Swap Taste Test

About this time last year there was much celebration over the launch of the world’s first Fairtrade olive oil. This was a huge achievement for all involved especially as it was the first Fairtrade product to arrive from Palestine. Although this oil has been available for a year I still haven’t gotten around to trying it for myself.

As the main point of my blog is to swap things I already, regularly use, I am putting the oil to the test on one of my favourite treats, roasted sweet potatoes. Perhaps not the most delicate way to use the oil, but I couldn’t resist the temptation to try my favourite dish. At least this way I will really be able to taste the difference.

The Fairtrade Olive Oil comes from Jenin in Palestine and is sold here in the UK by a number of organisations. This particular oil is from Zaytoun, a fantastic organisation which originated as a group of friends who wanted to support Palestinian farmers. They began by selling the olive oil to friends and family, and the company grew from there.

You don’t need to go to these lengths to support Palestinian olive farmers. Instead how about joining me and swapping your regular olive oil for this Fairtrade version?

As you can see in my video post, my potatoes certainly look the business but do they taste the same? Truthfully…they taste even better. Don’t believe me, try it out for yourself; roast up your favourite veggies and let me know how your taste tests go!

Saturday Feb 27: My Fantastic Fairtrade Wine Tasting

Who doesn’t enjoy a nice glass of wine after a long day? I would be lying if I said my wine “cellar“ wasn’t constantly stocked, so I think it is about time I added a Fairtrade variety or two.

Choosing the brand was easy; last year on a trip to South Africa, I visited Thandi Wines, the first wine makers to be certified Fairtrade, on their estate near Stellenbosch. Whilst I do consider myself something of a wine connoisseur, I’m not one for describing wines as smelling like ’welly boots’ or ’freshly mown grass’ like some wine experts out there. Why not take a look at my video diary to find out my thoughts on this glass of Thandi Semillion/Sauvignon Blanc.

I am definitely a fan of this wine and I would be happy to make it a permanent member of my wine stock, although I wouldn’t be adverse to a return trip to South Africa to research this subject a bit more extensively!

Click here to watch Sally’s video reports.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .