Traidcraft has launched the first cookie range in the UK to use fairly-traded palm oil, FairPalm, sourced from smallholder farmers in West Africa.
The refreshed range comprises Traidcraft favourites Stem Ginger and Double Chocolate Chunk as well as the new Fruit & Oat Chewy variety which combines sultanas, coconut and apricots.
Traidcraft is working with smallholder farmers in Ghana to produce FairPalm in a way that ensures they are paid fairly and works with the environment rather than destroying it. In addition, a fair trade premium is paid on every order of the palm oil and this is used to fund local community projects.
“We’re thrilled to launch the UK’s first cookies to use fair trade palm oil,” said Larry Bush, Traidcraft’s marketing director. “Crucially, we haven’t compromised on flavour so our cookies taste just as delicious as ever, but now do more good than ever. At a time when some companies are looking to sprinkle some sugar in their products and make a Fairtrade claim, here at Traidcraft we’re going above and beyond the minimum fair trade criteria and adding even more fair trade ingredients from around the world.
“At Traidcraft, we’re all about making a difference to the lives of people in developing countries. Since palm oil is so widely used there’s potential to bring the benefits of fair trade to many more producers and farmers across the developing world.”
