In helping facilitate mainstreaming fair trade, Traidcraft has already achieved its raison d'etre

Alara Wholefoods have been involved with Traidcraft for 20 years and I was introduced to them by a mutual trading partner called Community Foods which was who I first bought flour from to start making bread – the beginning of Alara 32 years ago.

For the past 20 years I have had a long and continued relationship with Traidcraft who have been a very influential business that have ultimately helped shape Alara and develop us as a more sustainable and ethical company.

Traidcraft introduced me to the concept of fair trade and the issue of trade justice which is now an integral part of my business – we are careful when sourcing the ingredients for our mueslis that we are as stringent as possible in looking for the most reputable and sustainable sources.

I have also found that Traidcraft have opened my eyes to the realities of food social sustainability and how businesses must pay attention to how their sourcing of product can affect people’s lives, especially in developing countries.

Traidcraft have always acted to help highlight and connect the realities of life in under developed countries to business here in the UK and helped to explain the impact of Alara’s purchasing to me right from the start.

I have found over the last 20 years Traidcraft's influence has introduced a real social aspect to my business, one that I always envisaged and hoped it would have but without Traidcraft would have been much later starting – and for this I thank them.

Alara Wholefoods are launching a new range of Traidcraft branded muesli this autumn (www.alara.co.uk).