FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT: 10 EASY FAIRTRADE SWAPS YOU CAN MAKE IN YOUR WEEKLY SHOP
Fairtrade Fortnight, Monday 22nd September to Sunday 5th October, is about making conscious choices that support fair wages, safe working conditions, and sustainable farming but, that doesn’t have to mean a total lifestyle overhaul or spending more. In fact, your local supermarket is already stocked with Fairtrade options hiding in plain sight.
Here are 10 easy Fairtrade products you can find in most UK supermarkets - just swap them into your basket and you’re part of the movement:
BANANAS
Look for the Fairtrade sticker on loose or bagged bananas - they’re one of the easiest and most popular Fairtrade items. Available at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Lidl, and more. Fairtrade banana farms reduce the use of hazardous chemicals, which not only protects workers and ecosystems but also means the skins are safer for home composting - feeding your soil, not polluting it.
TEA
Choose Clipper (Organic & Fairtrade) or Co-op 99 Tea - both certified Fairtrade and available in most UK supermarkets. Both brands also avoid oil-based plastic in their teabags - Clipper uses plant-based PLA (bioplastic), and Co-op has switched to biodegradable options without polypropylene. (Top tip: for the most sustainable cup and to avoid micro-plastics, opt for loose-leaf tea with a reusable infuser.)
COFFEE
Look for Fairtrade blends from Cafédirect, Percol, Equal Exchange, or own-brand Fairtrade coffees from Tesco, Waitrose, or Sainsbury’s. Most will be clearly labelled and widely available.
CHOCOLATE & COCOA
Choose Fairtrade bars from Divine Chocolate, Green & Black’s Organic, or Co-op’s own-brand range.For baking or drinks, look for Fairtrade cocoa powder - available from Green & Black’s and supermarket own-brands.
DRIED FRUIT
A naturally sweet and nutrient-rich option that supports farmers. Look for Fairtrade-labelled dried fruit at Co-op, Oxfam, and Ocado.
WINE
Co-op leads the way in Fairtrade wines, offering everything from red and white to sparkling - perfect for ethical entertaining.
MAPLE SYRUP
A vegan-friendly sweetener, now available in Fairtrade-certified form in Co-op’s Irresistible range and at Waitrose. Honey is also another Fairtrade food you can look for in the supermarkets but I avoid these honey’s as they are pasteurised and look for local, raw/unpasteurised honey instead ADD LINK
FLOWERS
Yes, even flowers can be Fairtrade. Look for labelled bouquets at M&S, Sainsbury’s, and Aldi – often around Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, but increasingly year-round. Fairtrade flowers are grown with stricter standards on pesticides and no GMOs, meaning they’re better for your home, the planet, and the people who grow them.Check out my cut flower blog post ADD LINK
HERNS & SPICES
The Steenbergs range offers Fairtrade and organic herbs and spices – available online, at health stores, and in Oxfam shops.Fairtrade-certified spices are grown under strict environmental standards that reduce chemical use and prohibit the most hazardous pesticides. While not always organic, these standards help protect the health of farmers, the environment, and consumers by supporting safer, more sustainable growing practices. For the cleanest option, look for spices that are both Fairtrade and certified organic.
GRAINS & PSUEDOCEREALS
Stock your pantry with Fairtrade grains like quinoa, rice, and freekeh – available from brands like Suma, Traidcraft, and Oxfam. These staples support small-scale farmers around the world and promote food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture.
Bonus: Digital Actions that Cost Nothing
Follow @FairtradeUK and share a post during Fairtrade Fortnight.
Look up your favourite brand – do they use Fairtrade ingredients?
Sign a petition or pledge your support via fairtrade.org.uk