Why your church's support matters more than ever

Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. Psalm 106:3

Supermarkets are great at what they do – selling large volumes of products at very competitive prices. But they can only work with food producers who have already achieved Fairtrade Mark status and can supply the necessary quantities. They offer no opportunity to producers who are not yet at the Fairtrade Mark level or to the millions struggling to support their families making crafts, jewellery, ceramics or paper products, for which no Fairtrade Mark yet exists. Traidcraft can – and does!

As a Christian response to poverty, Traidcraft directs many of its efforts towards these poor and marginalized producers, working with them to improve their products and develop their small businesses so they can gain their share of the market, be that in the UK or in their own countries.

People selling Traidcraft products in churches around the UK are a vital part of that picture. You provide a large proportion of the income that pays for the work we do with producers and you're a 'shop window' for our Christian values and our scriptural call to seek justice for the poor. You play a powerful role in our advocacy and outreach to the church community – and to the world beyond the church doors.

We ask you and your congregation to shop for change!

The materials below are particularly suited to encouraging support for existing Fair Trader stalls in churches but are also very useful if you're wanting to encourage your church to begin supporting Traidcraft.