Make a difference when you cook with Fair Trade products from Traidcraft!

Fairtrade Products from Traidcaft 

Have you ever given Fair Trade much thought? In a world where the gap between the very rich and the very poor continues to grow isn’t it time we all pulled together to address this issue? I’m a staunch believer in fairness and not working for free or less than the minimum wage. When someone works for free they are in effect depriving another person in need of a wage. I do believe that everyone should have the right to work for a livable wage and it shouldn’t be the prerogative of the few to benefit at the expense of the many. So whether someone works in Britain or Ghana I’d like to see poverty eradicated through a fairer system. It’s a big ask I know and the task can feel so daunting when you look around and see all the hustle and bustle of corporations, stock and shares and people trading the labours of others from the comfort of their desks.

So what can we do about this imbalance? Well, Traidcraft aims to fight poverty through trade and not only sell goods from Fair Trade companies but also their own branded Fair Trade products and actively fund projects around the world enabling those in need to have a job. So whether it’s some gorgeous toys for the kids, funky accessories for your home and garden, jewellery, clothes, original gifts, or household or grocery items you’re looking for, there is something for everyone. We all enjoy a bit of retail therapy and what could be better than knowing that your purchase has improved the lives of those who really need it – a total win/win situation!

I thought it would be nice to showcase some Fair Trade store cupboard basics from Traidcraft which could be used in some of my favourite recipes.

Spelt Banoffee Flapjacks with Dark Chocolate

We sampled the Traidcraft Dark Chocolate with 70% Organic Cocoa which would be perfect on my Spelt Banoffee Flapjacks and I have to say it was superb, melt-in-the-mouth gorgeousness. It’s hardly surprising then that Traidcraft has been involved with fair trade chocolate since the 1980s and sold the very first fair trade chocolate bar in the UK! As it says on the packaging “It’s more than just chocolate. It’s hope in a bar.”

Za’atar & Olive Focaccia

We love Za’atar and the Traidcraft one is by Zaytoun from Palestine. It’s delicious in this Za’atar & Olive Oil Focaccia or our other favourite way of eating it is sprinkled on houmous but you can also use it with olive oil as a dip for bread or use it to season meat, fish or roasted vegetables.

Warm Rice & Quinoa Salad with Pan Fried Tofu

Peruvian Red Quinoa (Quinola) from Alice & Oscar’s is organic and won a Great Taste award in 2014 and would be great in my Warm Rice & Quinoa Salad with Pan Fried Tofu or just use it in place of rice. If you’ve never had quinoa before it has a fabulous nutty texture.

Rhubarb & Strawberry Jam

What better way to support fair trade than to go to a local farm, pick your own fruit and use some of Traidcraft’s Granulated Sugar in my Rhubarb and Strawberry Jam or any one of my numerous jams. I am entering this one into the local Village Show this year and hoping for a third win!

Nutella Brioche Pudding

I can’t wait to use the Traidecraft Chocolate Hazelnut Spread in my Nutella Brioche Pudding. My daughter said she much preferred it as it was far more chocolaty than Nutella and I like the fact that it contains Traidcraft’s pioneering FairPalm from smallholder growers in Ghana.

What better way to support fair trade than to go to a local farm, pick your own fruit and use Traidcraft’s granulated sugar in my Rhubarb and Strawberry Jam or any one of my numerous jams. I am entering this one into the local Village Show this year and hoping for a third win!

I have to say I was very impressed with the efficient service from Traidcraft, I placed my order on a Monday and received my goods in perfect order on the Friday of the same week, so well within their promised 5-day service. I also received an e-mail in order to track the delivery.

I hope I’ve inspired you to fill your cupboards with Traidcraft fair trade products and if you already use them, do let me know what your favourite ones are in the comments section below.

NB: This is a commissioned post, I was also reimbursed for the products purchased and all opinions are my own.