Greggs has sourced its coffee beans and fruit entirely from Fairtrade accredited suppliers since 2005 and is furthering its commitment with 100% of the chocolate used in its products and across its supply chain sourced from Fairtrade accredited suppliers.
Malcolm Copland, Commercial Director at Greggs, said: “As a responsible business, we believe in doing the right thing and are incredibly proud to be a long-standing partner of Fairtrade. We are proud to have continued to increase our Fairtrade commitments over time, which include coffee beans, apple juice, orange juice, sugar sticks, sugar syrup, hot chocolate, black tea, mint tea, green tea, bananas and now chocolate.
“It has been incredible to see the positive impact and difference we can make to producer communities. We look forward to building on this success further and doing our bit to help change the lives of the thousands of people involved.”
Greggs chocolate products include Milk Chocolate Cookies, Caramel Shortbread and Chocolate Brownies, to name a few.
Fairtrade works with more than 1.7 million farmers and workers in 1,707 producer organisations to make trade fair, setting social, economic and environmental standards for companies and farmers across all stages of the supply chain.
Fairtrade cocoa
Fairtrade cocoa is an important conversion for cocoa farmers and serves a number of key benefits, including:
1. Improved household income – As part of Fairtrade, farmers are guaranteed a minimum price for their crop and receive the Fairtrade Premium providing them an additional amount of money to spend on a benefit of their choice, from healthcare and electrical supply to bicycle ambulances and clean water.
2. Support to tackle climate change & care for the environment – Fairtrade helps farmers to adapt to climate change through technical advice from experts on the ground and environmentally friendly Fairtrade Standards. This allows farmers to commit to taking steps reducing water wastage.
3. Women’s empowerment – Fairtrade standards call for equal opportunities for women to participate, investments in women-focused projects, and programmes that train them to be leaders and entrepreneurs.
Michael Gidney, CEO of the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “It’s fantastic to see Greggs building on their already impressive Fairtrade portfolio by converting their chocolate couverture.
“The move offers customers more options to do the right thing by farmers. Through choosing Fairtrade chocolate, cocoa producers can improve their household income, access training to adapt to climate change and participate in programmes that train women to be leaders and entrepreneurs.”
