Committee for Health & Social Care celebrated as a Fairtrade Supporter

Thursday 31 October 2024

The Fairtrade Guernsey Steering Group and the Overseas Aid & Development Commission, which is responsible for supporting and promoting the use of Fairtrade across the States, are delighted to award a 'We are a Fairtrade Supporter' plaque to the Committee for Health & Social Care.

Fairtrade Guernsey and the Commission approached the Catering Services Manager, James Scowen, to see if he would consider using additional Fairtrade products at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, in line with the States' commitment to purchase Fairtrade goods where possible. The Hospital already purchased Fairtrade sugar and hot chocolate. This led to the Committee undertaking a review of annual spend, product utilisation, availability, and pricing within the local supply market for Fairtrade tea, coffee and bananas. This review discovered that there had been a significant reduction in the pricing of Fairtrade products, which had resulted in pricing alignment between Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade products.

Deputy Al Brouard, President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, said:

"The Committee fully endorses the sentiments regarding the value of Fairtrade and the positive impact this has on the world's poorest communities. HSC Catering Service already sources Fairtrade sugar and hot chocolate and I am pleased that the Committee has also recently switched to a supply of Fairtrade tea, single service coffee sticks and bananas, resulting in an annual increase of over 180,000 servings of Fairtrade products within the Princess Elizabeth Hospital. As the Fairtrade mark certifies that products have been produced in conditions which meet certain basic ethical standards, the Committee is delighted to support such an initiative without any additional cost to the taxpayer.

"Mindful of the financial restraints across the States and within HSC, purchasing decisions need to weigh up a number of considerations. Despite the accepted benefits of sourcing Fairtrade products, as acknowledged in the States procurement policy, the use of Fairtrade products within HSC will remain under review, hopefully to increase but, with value for money and quality a key consideration."

Deputy Blin, President of Overseas Aid & Development Commission, said:

"This initiative undermines the common misconception that Fairtrade products are always more expensive than non-Fairtrade products. I would urge other States Committees, businesses, and members of the public to consider making the switch to Fairtrade. It does not have to cost you anymore and morally it is the right choice to make."

Hannah Davis, Secretary of Fairtrade Guernsey, said:

"I would like to thank and congratulate the Committee for Health & Social Care for the choice it has made and for leading the way in regard to Fairtrade. Buying Fairtrade means buying products that are produced under working conditions which meet health and safety standards, which avoid the use or indentured or child labour, and where products are bought at a price that enables workers and their communities to earn a fair wage and become more resilient to shocks such as climate change. Guernsey is a Fairtrade Island and the support of the Committee demonstrates this."