Fairtrade products are those that ensure that marginalised workers and producers in low income regions are paid fair wages and a stable price for their produce so they are protected from the damaging fluctuations in world market prices. They also learn the knowledge and skills to develop their businesses and their community receives a social premium to invest in local development projects such as education and healthcare. The use of forced labour and abusive child labour is prohibited. Many workers are provided only low wages, poor living conditions and an unsafe working environment, along with volatile prices worldwide, has contributed to continuing poverty of these workers an producers. By helping these workers and producers to become sustainable, we can help to make a real difference.

There is a growth in conscious consuming and this is reflected in the growth of Fairtrade products. Estimated Retail Sales for Fairtrade Labelled Products in Australia in the 2007 calendar year are estimated at AU $11.7 million, up from AU$7.3 million in 2006 and only $146,308 in 2003 (Fair Trade Association of Australia & NZ).

Some useful tips provided by Fair Trade Australia on how to support fair trade include:

1. Lobby your supermarket to encourage them to stock fairtrade products that you would buy

2. Buy Fair Trade gifts that keep on giving

3. Choose a product your regularly purchase and switch to fair trade - try chocolate, tea, coffee

4. Speak to your favourite cafe owners about using Fairtrade coffee and tea

5. Encourage your work colleagues to switch to fair trade tea and coffee and become a Fairtrade workplace

6. Watch a movie that will inspire you to make a difference - Black Gold, The Fair Trade, Amazing Grace

7. Share what you have learned with someone else

So come on Pyrmont Village, support fairtrade and make a real difference.