World Hunger Day: 9 January 2011

World Hunger Day is about raising awareness of chronic  persistent hunger . It is also about celebrating the achievements of millions of people who are already ending their own hunger and meeting their basic needs.

World Hunger Day seeks to inspire people in both the developed and developing worlds to show their solidarity and support to enable many more to end their own hunger and poverty and make the journey to self-reliance.

The theme for 2011 is "Empowering People. Ending Hunger".

Empowerment requires many things: illiteracy reduction, microcredit, cooperative management, improved farming, microfinance, and of course fair trade.

Fairtrade works to empower the most marginalised in the global trade system – small-scale farmers and workers. For certain products, Fairtrade only certifies small farmer organisations. Examples include coffee, cocoa, cotton and rice. By favouring democratic organisations of small farmers, Fairtrade gives the stability rural families need to plan for the future. The alternative for many is to move to already overcrowded urban centres.

Plantations and companies using hired labour can sell certain products through Fairtrade if workers are organised and benefit from Fairtrade. The Fairtrade standards protect workers basic rights according to the International Labour Organisation conventions. This means health and safety standards, freedom of association, collective bargaining , no discrimination and no bonded or illegal child labour. The Joint Body, which includes a majority of worker representatives, decides how to invest the Fairtrade premium, works to create good working relationships between management and workers, and helps workers gain skills in leadership, communication and project management.




The Fairtrade premium is a sum of money paid on top of the agreed Fairtrade price for investment in social, environmental or economic development projects, decided upon democratically by producers within the farmers’ organisation or by workers on a plantation.The premium is fixed by the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation Standards Unit in the same way as the minimum price and remains the same, even if the producer is paid more than the minimum price for the product. The premium fund is typically invested in education and healthcare, farm improvements to increase yield and quality, or processing facilities to increase income.

In the UK, the Hunger Project will be running many events to mark the day - read about them here.

New Year Resolutions? Let the Small World help!

According to uber-cool social networking site 43 Things, the top New Year's Resolutions for 2011 are:


1.  Lose weight  
How about replacing your favourite choccie bars for some yoghurt coated raisins or some of our dried fruit snack packs?
2.  Eat, drink, learn, or try something new
We continue to expand our range and are stocking items from more producers than ever before.  Why not try our Swazi Lime Pickles or swap your usual brand of coffee for some Machu Piccu

3.  Set an attainable athletic goal, like running a 5 or 10k  

The Edinburgh Marathon runs past our door on Sunday 22nd May - why not run on our behalf - we'll cheer you on!

4.  Save money  

Our Ecover refill service can save you a packet!  A 1.5l refill of laundry liquid is only £5 compared with buying a new bottle at £6.60! 

5.  Be happy

Every time you buy a fairly traded item, you can be happy knowing your purchase has made the difference to the producer.  Spread the happiness!

6.  Take a photo every day for a year

If you decide to do this, why not exhibit your work in the shop?  We are going to be a venue for the 2011 Three Harbours Arts Festival! 

7.  Fall in love
...erm.  Not sure how we can help with this one but, if you Love Food but Hate Waste, then pick up a free Canny Bin kit to help reduce food waste.

8.  Get a job

We always need volunteers in the Small World.  Both behind the scenes and in the shop (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10-12 and 2-4 and Saturdays 10-12).   It's fun, fulfilling and fattens up your CV!
 
9.  Read more

Not only we do have a collection of fair trade recipe books for loan, we also have a free bookcrossing shelf in our entrance hall.  Just help yourself!

10.  Keep a notepad of awesome moments  

Awesome moments require awesome notepads and our Goonj (it means 'echo') range of recycled pads are perfect.


May we suggest another couple of resolutions?

Buy Fair Trade!

Continue to buy Fair Trade!

Tell others about Fair Trade!

Visit the Small World and say hello!

10 Small World Shopping Hours left!

At 4p.m. on Thursday 23 December the Small World volunteers  shut up shop for the festive break.

This means, you only have a short space of time to buy any last minute gifts, groceries or wrapping paper.

If you are looking for alternatives to traditional gift wrap, we have gorgeous recycled wrapping paper and Indian newspaper bags.

We are open:
Saturday 18th 10-12
Tuesday 21st 10 - 12 & 2-4
Thursday 23rd 10-12 & 2-4

Thank you for your continued support and customer during 2010.  It really is very much appreciated by all the volunteers, and makes such a difference to the fair trade producers in the developing world.

Have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. 

We re-open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday 11th January.

Gift ideas that won't break the bank

Christmas is only three weeks away -have you started your shopping yet?  No matter now organised you are, it is always wise to keep a few handy presents in reserve. 


Do you need small items for your children's classmates?  We have beautiful handcrafted friendship bracelets for just 40p.

Are you looking for a present for the teacher?  How about a twist on the "apple for the teacher" idea - a beautiful apple-shaped acacia wood bowl  - only £4!

Men are notoriously tricky to buy for but we have some seriously cool gifts including wallets made from recycled tyres, handcrafted journals and a range of hot and spicy sauces.
 

Is your workplace doing a 'Secret Santa'?  It's not easy to buy something for someone you don't know terribly well.  Why not opt for a practical item?  We have some tried and tested gifts such as kitchen utensils or glassware?

One of the nicest parts of the festive season is visting friends and family.  Sometimes invitations come out of the blue - that's when you need our Belgian chocolates - the perfect hostess gift.

The Small World has lots of small price tag items, most under £10.  There are far too many to show here so do pop in and have a look for yourself.

If you are stumped for ideas, we also sell gift vouchers!

We are still open!

Despite the snow, most of our volunteers are managing to get to the shop. 

If the sign is ON, we are IN - pop in and stock up on fair trade groceries, homewares, gifts and goodies.  You might want to phone first - 01875 813992.

CANCELLED: Mulled Wine + Mince Pies

Sorry folks, but owing to the adverse weather, we have decided to cancel the Christmas event planned for Friday 3rd December.

Dependent of volunteer availability we aim to be open as usual Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10-12 and 2-4 and Saturday 10-12. 
 
If you need to check our opening hours, please call 01875 813992.

Stay warm (we can recommend Traidcraft's Hot Chocolate!), stay safe!

Can East Lothian become a Fair Trade County?

We certainly hope so!

Jacqui Leslie from the Economic Development Division of East Lothian Council is busy using social networking as a way of introducing fair trade to the folk of East Lothian.  With Longniddry leading the way as a Fair Trade Village and North Berwick having an active Fair Trade community, we are confident that other towns will follow.

 If you are an avid Facebooker, why not check out Fair Trade East Lothian.

The Small World uses Twitter (@sw9a) and you can add us as a friend on East Lothian Buzz.  Don't forget to sign up for newsletters (you can do this at the top of this blog).