Fairtrade and your church
Simply by choosing to use Fairtrade products you can make a real difference to the lives of people across the world. Fairtrade is not charity or aid; it is simply about empowering communities to build their own successful futures.
“Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Help people who are in trouble. Stand up for what you know is right, and judge all people fairly. Protect the rights of the poor and those who need help.” Proverbs 31:8-9
In Gosport
Many churches support Fairtrade and in the past have been awarded Fairtrade status but by 2025 none were listed on the Fairtrade Foundation Website’s map! This is probably because they have not renewed their Fairtrade status. This is really easy to do:
There are lots of ways to support Fairtrade, but just two core requirements to be awarded Fairtrade Place of Worship status.
What do you need to do to be awarded Fairtrade Place of Worship status?
There are just two core requirements :
- Use Fairtrade products wherever possible (at least tea, coffee and sugar) and share information about Fairtrade products with the wider congregation.
- Integrate Fairtrade into the life of your place of worship, at Fairtrade Fortnight or other times of the year. For example through events, stalls, displays, and worship.
For more information about what it means to be a Fairtrade place of worship, visit the Fairtrade Foundation website here
How to apply
To apply to become a Fairtrade Place of Worship, or to renew your status, please use our Fairtrade Places of Worship online platform.
Churches in Gosport have shown films about producers, invited speakers, put up dispays, held activities for young people, organised tea, cake or wine-tastings, made bunting and much more. It can be great fun as well as making links with communities around the world. And it will make a real difference.
It’s really good to encourage the groups which use your church to use Fairtrade too. You could encourage them to use Fairtrade products when they book.
Gosport Fairtrade Action organises a range of activities during Fairtrade Fortnight Check out this site for ideas
There are loads of great free materials plus films and action booklets to help you organise a coffee morning or tea party plus excellent worship materials.
Gosport Fairtrade Action sends resources to use in Fairtrade Fortnight to churches via Churches Together In Gosport, including worship materials and articles for newsletters. If you would like us to send them directly to your church please let us know.
Using Fairtrade products
You can find tea, coffee etc in most supermarkets. If you want larger supplies there’s a list of links on this website. There are lots of ‘ethical’ brands around – do look for the Fairtrade Mark.
Speakers
Locally there are a number of very keen speakers for Fairtrade and we are happy to visit churches, groups and schools to raise awareness of issues that many farmers struggle with in the global south and how Fairtrade offers a solution.
We do this mostly by telling stories about individuals and families. Stepping into another person’s shoes can show us what we have in common – whoever we are, wherever we are from. There are excellent short videos on the Fairtrade Foundation website of interviews with Fairtrade farmers. (see Fairtrade videos in videos on Vimeo)
And when we can connect to a person through their story – from celebrating their successes and understanding the challenges they face, to hearing about their hopes and dreams – we often feel moved to act or think differently. For a speaker contact your Gosport Fairtrade group – here
Please tell us
Please contact us and use the Facebook page to inform people if you are holding an event. We would be really pleased to hear from you to advertise your event and celebrate it afterwards with photos.
Non- food products you can use
There are lots of Fairtrade products you could use like cleaning materials, candles and cotton products.
You might also consider:
Fairtrade Communion Wine
Poterion specialises in providing Fairtrade Communion wine direct from South Africa, or have a look for the Fairtrade logo on wines from local suppliers.
Fairtrade Wedding rings
Maybe you could encourage people to support the movement to source precious metals fairly, so you can feel sure that the jewellery we treasure is mined without causing environmental devastation and exploiting miners. Find out more here.
Fairtrade gold ring suppliers are listed on the Fairtrade website (here)
Contacts and information
For more information about becoming a Fairtrade church
You can sign up for a newsletter too.
Gosport Fairtrade Action welcome volunteers too. Please contact us
Thank you for your support – we look forward to working with you
Page partially updated 9-04-2025