Starfish Fairtrade - Fairtrade Gifts

Starfish Fairtrade - Fair Trade Bedpsreads, Cushions, Gifts

& Ethical Products

 

Starfish Fairtrade is a fair trade import business run by Joy Mackintosh. Handloom bedspreads and throws made in tradional stripes or smooth classic weaves, stunning rose cushions and hardwearing hand-thrown pottery are all part of a growing range of handmade and ethical products.These are included with the intent of making a difference to the lives of both those who produce them and use them.

Most of our products help ensure the survival of employable traditional skills particularly for woman. On average an Indian woman will spend 7 hours a day finding wood and fetching water. As water supply and re-foresting in small communities improves, they can now devote less time to these basic tasks and are free to earn a living for their family.

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.

Above is 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 we are working with is now on track to securing their own cotton 'ginning' mill, a move which will give them autonomy throughout the entire process. In time it will bring an end to the living conditions such as these pictured left, which are presently endured by itinerant cotton workers.

Starfish Fairtrade - aiming to make a difference. Will you help us?

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT - STARFISH FAIRTRADE

. 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.

 


Starfish Fairtrade - Unit 10, Kempleton Mill Twynholm, KIRKCUDBRIGHT DG6 4NJ
Tel/Fax: : 01557 860255

There is no VAT charged on our product range.