M&S pledges to be world's most sustainable retailer by 2015

UK retailer Marks and Spencer (M&S) has announced ambitious plans to become the world's most sustainable retailer by 2015, launching a package of 80 new commitments to strengthen its sustainability strategy called "Plan A". M&S is one of the world's largest retailers, with 21 million customers in 40 territories.

The company aims to modify 50% of its 2.7 billion food, clothing and home products to ensure they boast at least one sustainable or ethical feature such as being fair-trade, organic, free range or containing sustainably sourced ingredients by 2015. By 2020, M&S's entire product range will include one of these features.

The "Plan A" new proposals will change the way M&S works with its suppliers, particularly those in developing countries. Following a successful pilot in Bangladesh, M&S has announced it will set a "living wage" and take action to ensure clothing suppliers in countries such as Sri Lanka and India pay this wage to their workers.

M&S will also work with suppliers to improve productivity and management practices, provide training and education programmes, and to help the creation of 200 "Plan A" factories with ethical or environmental features. In addition M&S will support 10,000 farmers who produce our fresh foods to join their sustainable agriculture programme.

Baobab and goji superfood smoothie launched at Natural and Organic Show this weekend

A baobab and goji superfood smoothie will be launched by Soaring Free Superfoods at the Natural and Organic Show in Cape Town this weekend (19-21 February 2010). PhytoTrade Africa will exhibiting and promoting baobab, marula and devil's claw products at the show.
Why not come to the PhytoTrade Africa stand (F27) to taste a baobab cereal bar, try our delicious egg-free Bayonaise (mayonnaise with baobab fruit) or indulge in a little baobab curd, prepared by Cape Town Chef, Oded Schwarz. We'll also have marula sweets from WildFoods of Botswana. You can get directions to the show from the Natural and Organic Show web site. There is still time to register for PhytoTrade Africa's breakfast seminar on Natural Product Development for local and Export Markets on Saturday 20th February at 9am, contact Marianna

UK Fair Trade fortnight provides opportunity for better sales

Next week, sees the launch of the UK and Ireland's annual Fairtrade Fortnight, which will be held from 22 February to 7 March 2010. During a two week period, the Fairtrade Foundation spearheads a national campaign to promote fair trade. This year, consumers are being urged to join in "the Big Swap", swapping their usual purchases to fair trade branded versions (for example, instead of buying their usual brand of jam, they could switch to Yozuna's fair trade baobab jam).

In the UK, some 4500 products bear the Fairtrade Mark, including food and beverages, clothing and linens, flowers, cosmetics and even footballs.

Fairtrade Fortnight has a strong record of success to date. First established in 1997, in early years the main goal was to ensure that retailers stocks fair trade products: now almost every supermarket in the country has fair trade items, and many of them will conduct special activities and promotions to mark the event, improve product visibility at point-of-sale, give customers access to more fair trade items and to improve sales.

Recently, the focus of Fairtrade Fortnight has shifted to educating consumers about the benefits of fair trade, and to encourage them to discuss fair trade and to buy fair trade products. In 2009, 11,000 events were held during Fairtrade Fortnight, reaching 17.7 million people.

The UK currently leads the way in fair trade retail. A survey conducted in September in 2009 documented that recognition of the Fairtrade Mark had risen to an all-time high of 72%. As reported in "UK Fair Trade Sales Dramatically Increase", despite the tough economic climate, UK consumers are spending more on fair trade products than ever before and sales are expected to jump by an average of 20% during Fairtrade Fortnight.

Fairtrade fortnights are also held in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Fab Baobab starter recipe

This is a great starter from the Yozuna kitchen.

Baobab Jam with Melted Camembert and Caramelised Onions

Serve with fresh bread of your choice, rocket or plain salad leaves. Dip bread in melted camembert and Enjoy!

• Prep time: 7 minutes
• Cook time: 20-25 minutes

Serves: 2-3

Ingredients

• 2x Sprigs of Rosemary
• 2x Large Bay Leaves (Fresh or Dried)
• 2x Large Onions
• 1x Camembert in a box
• Balsamic Vinegar/Black Pepper/Sea Salt
• Baobab fruit jam (Get this from Yozuna!)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 7. Unwrap the cheese & discard wrapper.
2. Take a piece of foil large enough to wrap the entire camembert & and place into the box. Now place a sprig of rosemary & a bay leaf on the foil in the bottom of the box.
3. Spread Yozuna Baobab jam all over the camembert & return cheese to its lined box. Add freshly ground pepper. Press sliced garlic into the cheese with remaining sprig of rosemary & bay leaf. Fold in foil/greaseproof paper to cover the top of the camembert, close lid and wrap entire box with foil.
4. Drizzle oil into a baking tray. Slice onions into rings & place in the tray. Season with sea salt. Add copious amounts of balsamic vinegar to the onions & mix well. Place on the top level of the oven.
5. Put the boxed cheese on a baking sheet/tray in the middle of the oven and bake with the onions for 20-25 mins. Ensure the onions are nicely caramelised and the camembert has melted!

UK Fair Trade Sales Dramatically Increase

The latest Ethical Consumerism Report 2009, published in December 2009 by the Co-operative Bank, reports that sales of ethical products have tripled during the last decade in the UK. Despite the recession, the ethical market reached £36 billion in 2008, rising from £13.5 billion from 1999.

Fair trade product sales have shown the most dramatic growth: rising from £22 million in 1999 to £635 million in 2008, an increase of over thirty times. The Report predicts that during 2010, fair trade purchases will break the £1 billion barrier in the UK.

Clearly, UK consumers are increasingly recognises the importance of ethical issues when making purchases. The report notes that in 2008, one in every two UK adults stated that they have purchased a product primarily for ethical reasons, compared to one in every four in 1999.

More Baobab news

The UK Daily Express ran a story on our fab superfruit! Read it here.

New Accredited Partners product showcase

We've just finished building the Accredited Partners showcase. Take a look here and tell us what you think.