MEDIA RELEASE

14 May, 2013

Free Coffee to Boost Kiwi's Feel Good Factors This Friday

Kiwis are being encouraged to boost their feel-good factor this Friday by heading in to fair-trade cafes around the country to take part in Pay Fair Trade Forward Day.

Brewed up by P3 Foundation, a youth-led development organisation that aims to eradicate poverty in the Asia-Pacific region, Pay Fair Trade Forward Day is a social experiment to raise awareness about the importance of fair trade and ethical consumerism.

Pay Fair Trade Forward national manager Jamie Himiona says a simple act of kindness is all anyone needs to do to get involved.

“You just go into the nearest fair-trade cafe and buy a coffee – but not for yourself, for the customer after you. The next customer then gets a free coffee – plus a quick rundown on fair trade from the barista – and the opportunity to pay it forward for someone else.

“A chain of goodwill is created as people around the country continue to pay it forward.”

P3 Foundation CEO Divya Hariharan says most people don’t realise how many farmers in developing nations are being unfairly disadvantaged by existing trade practices.

“We hope the domino effect of customers paying it forward will also spark discussion about the fair trade movement which guarantees a better deal for producers in the developing world.

“This is great way to raise awareness while also giving people a really easy way to help out.

“And the best part is fair trade doesn’t help through hand-outs or charity but by letting farmers trade their own way out of poverty.”

This is the third year the campaign has run in New Zealand, with the list of participating cafes growing each time. More than 40 cafes around the country took part last year and an estimated 4000 people paid a coffee forward.

“We’re hoping to beat that this year and so far things are looking really good,” says Ms Himiona.

So Kiwis, make your cup of coffee count this Friday. Because a fair trade flat white is sure to warm your insides for more reasons than one.

Head to www.p3foundation.org/pftf for a full list of participating cafes.

ENDS

© Scoop Media