Starfish
Fairtrade is a fair trade import business run by Malcolm and Joy Mackintosh.
Handmade functional pottery, hand loom woven cotton, beautiful Buddha
figurines and Tibetan incense all made entirely by hand and leaving
a very low carbon footprint. This ensures the survival of employable
traditional skills particularly more so now for woman, who with the
improvement in communities of water supply and re-foresting can earn
a living.
Over
and above this, we operate the fair trade principal where we pay a
premium to ensure that a fair wage is paid for everything made and
that working conditions are reasonable.
Malcolm pictured earlier this year with a group of farmers from the
Indian Organic Farmers Association. Set
up under the Chetna Project. This group is comprised entirely of farmers
whose land is 2 acres or less. A premium is paid for the cotton they
grow, which at last is breaking the cycle of debt and poverty they
have laboured under for so long. In addition, all farmers have now
returned to the organic growing methods traditionally used by them.
Returning the soil to its original state, reducing the cost of growing
and resulting in pure, soft cotton and better health conditions for
the farmers as they are no longer using pesticides.
The
group is now working towards securing their own cotton 'ginning' mil,
a move which will give them autonomy throughout the entire process
and eventually bringing an end to the living conditions such as these
pictured presently endured by itinerant cotton workers.
Starfish
Fairtrade - we aim to make a difference.
MISSION
STATEMENT - STARFISH FAIRTRADE
1. To make fair trade our focus – and buy from fair trade producers
wherever possible.
2. To make a difference and improve the quality of life of every person
involved in the process - from raw material producers right through
to end consumers.
3. To be as environmental as possible in the way we operate and in the
production of our goods and in particular to use only wood that is recycled
from the rubber industry or comes from a forestry managed sustainable
source (FSC). To develop organic products wherever we can.
4. To be solution orientated and never to give up. To be positive and
fair in all our dealings.
5. To promote fair trade to as wide a market as possible showing it
as an alternative to solely profit-led trade.
6. To work closely with small producer groups, always making advance
payments when required, helping them increase their skills, market and
customer base - helping them become totally self-sustaining and independent.
7. To keep abreast of market trends and have a product that will withstand
competition from other companies thus ensuring that our suppliers are
always supported and that we succeed.
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