MEDIA RELEASE 22 April 2009
Leading office and business essentials supplier Corporate Express is gearing up to participate in Fair Trade Fortnight from 2 to 17 May 2009 (see www.fairtrade.com.au/ftf09). Corporate Express has been selling Fairtrade Certified coffee since 2006 and its head offices in every state in Australia and New Zealand have recently become Fair Trade Workplaces.
Fairtrade is a global network of non-government organisations tackling poverty and empowering producers through trade. Fairtrade Certification and Labelling ensures a fair price for goods produced by certified groups of small farmers or plantation workers, providing stability and security of incomes. The Fairtrade Label also means that farmers and workers in developing countries get a better deal, can strengthen their businesses and can invest in projects to benefit their communities, such as education, healthcare or environmental protection. Fair Trade is a hugely successful international trend worth over a billion dollars and growing.
According to Fairtrade Labelling Australia and New Zealand, Australia’s growth in Fairtrade Certified products such as coffee and tea is ranked one of the fastest in the world. Retail sales have increased from $150,000 in 2003 to more than $23 million in 2008.
Corporate Express’ Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Jennifer Williams says that Fair Trade Fortnight is a great time to promote Fairtrade Certified products in the workplace by holding a Fairtrade Coffee Break.
“The event is an opportunity for companies to let their employees know more about the Fair trade initiative, what Fairtrade Certified products are available and find ways they can become a Fair Trade Workplace,” she said.
“At Corporate Express, we have a range of coffee, tea, drinking chocolate and sugar with more than 60 Fairtrade products but the ultimate step for us was to become a Fair Trade Workplace.
“Offering our staff Fairtrade Certified products in our offices around Australia and New Zealand really fits with our whole sustainability program where we focus on what we offer our customers as well as our own staff,” added Williams.
“We’re delighted that Corporate Express has become a Fair Trade Workplace,” says Cameron Neil, Operations Manager – Australia, Fairtrade Labelling Australia & New Zealand. “Corporate Express’ efforts bring positive publicity and shows that they are committed to corporate social responsibility and are responsive to their staff. Becoming a Fair Trade Workplace is a tool to help organisations meet sustainability, environmental and social responsibility goals, and it improves staff morale as they are tackling poverty in poorer communities with every cup of tea or coffee.”
Corporate Express introduced Fairtrade coffee two years ago and have expanded the range to include roasted coffee beans, ground and instant coffee, drinking chocolate and sugar. A selection of Fairtrade Certified teas including green and black teas has also been added to the range and now Corporate Express offers Fairtrade Certified products from brands including: Jasper Coffee, Grinders, República Coffee and Scarborough Fair.
As well as beverage products, Corporate Express offers its customers Fairtrade Certified products in the promotional marketing product range including Fairtrade Certified cotton caps, T-shirts, bags, socks and even thongs.
About Corporate Express
Corporate Express is one of Australia’s leading suppliers of business essentials and has over 50 branches around Australia and New Zealand.
For more information about Corporate Express, call 13 26 44 or visit the website at www.ce.com.au.
About Fairtrade
The FAIRTRADE Label is a certification mark and a registered trademark of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) of which Fairtrade Labelling Australia & New Zealand is the regional member. This independent consumer label appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal. Today, more than seven and a half million people – farmers, workers and their families – across 58 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system. www.fairtrade.com.au
