The Fairtrade Fortnight event has begun in the United Kingdom. The event aims to promote awareness of Faritrade goods – those produced through humane means. Sainsbury, one of the world’s largest supermarket chains, has announced that it will be taking part in the event by adding QR codes to many of its products. The company hopes to inform consumers about how beneficial purchasing Fairtrade products is to farmers in the world’s most impoverished countries.
All of the Fairtrade branded products carried in Sainsbury’s stores throughout the UK will feature their own QR codes. When scanned with a smart phone, consumers will be taken to a mobile website where they will learn the various aspects of Fairtrade. The company notes that money generated from selling Fairtrade goods is making a profound difference for businesses and communities around the world. At present, all of Sainsbury’s lines of bananas, roast and ground coffee, plain cotton t-shirts, roses and tea are acquired through Fairtrade means.
In 2010, Sainsbury’s efforts to support Fairtrade brought in over $3 million in investments to the Fairtrade Foundation. This money has been used to improve the quality of life for workers living in impoverish countries. Sainsbury expects to see continued success in this endeavor and believes that this success will be enhanced through the use of QR codes and, in the future, other mobile technologies.
For more information on Fairtrade: http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/
