Consumers to vote on NZ's fairest products

Consumers to vote on NZ's fairest products

MEDIA RELEASE
16 October 2014

- Shoppers can vote for their favourite Fairtrade Certified product

- There are over 2100 Fairtrade Certified products available in Australia and New Zealand

This month, Kiwis can champion their favourite Fairtrade Certified product as part of the annual Fairtrade Awards. The Fairtrade Awards recognise brands and retailers for their significant contribution to empowering farmers in developing countries, enabling them to create a better future for their families and their communities.

Now in their third year, the Fairtrade Awards also aim to celebrate the businesses that have helped grow Fairtrade in New Zealand. Kiwi consumers can reward these brands by voting not just in the Awards but through their choices at supermarkets and other retailers. This year, there are more Fairtrade Certified products available than ever before, meaning Kiwi consumers have even more options to choose a favourite. There are three categories for the Fairtrade Product Awards: small, medium, and large businesses.

When consumers vote for their favourite product, they have the opportunity to win a daily prize pack to the value of $100 featuring the product they voted for. Better still; one lucky voter will take home a Fairtrade indulgence pack to the value of $200.

Molly Harriss Olson, Chief Executive Officer of Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand, said, “ We are excited about launching the third year of the Fairtrade Awards, which not only give us the opportunity to showcase New Zealand businesses which are having a life changing impact on farmers and workers in developing countries, but also provide Kiwi shoppers with the opportunity to reward companies for giving farmers a fair go.”

Additional information:

- Fairtrade is the only certification scheme that sets out to tackle poverty and empower farmers and workers in developing countries

- Fairtrade is the world’s most widely recognised ethical label (Globescan 2012)

- There are more than 2100 Fairtrade products available for purchase in Australia and New Zealand

- Retail sales of Fairtrade Certified Products in NZ in 2013 were NZ$69.3 million

- In 2014, 79% of Kiwis recognise the Fairtrade label (Colmar Brunton 2014)

- Consumers are willing to pay more for products and services from companies that are committed to positive social and environmental impact. On average, 55% of consumers said they were prepared to pay more, a 5% rise on a year ago and an increase of 10% since 2011 (Nielson 2014).
About Fairtrade

The FAIRTRADE Mark is a registered trademark of Fairtrade International of which Fairtrade ANZ is the AU/NZ member.

Fairtrade ANZ is an independent certification body which licenses the use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products which meet international Fairtrade standards. This independent consumer label is now recognised by 79% of Kiwi consumers and appears on products as an assurance that disadvantaged farmers and workers are getting a better deal.

Today, more than 1.4 million farmers and workers across 74 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system. Worldwide, shoppers spent €5.5 billion on Fairtrade products in 2013, and an estimated €86 million in Fairtrade Premium was paid to be invested in social, economic and environmental development in Fairtrade farmers’ communities.

ENDS

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