Traidcraft was established by a group of concerned people in Gateshead in 1979 as a Christian response to poverty.  Its mission is to fight poverty through trade, practising and promoting approaches to trade that help poor people in the Global South to transform their lives. From small beginnings Traidcraft has grown to embrace a huge variety of projects, helping small producers in 30 developing countries in Africa, Asia and South America.  It was one of the first organisations to promote the new concept of Fairtrade, helping to establish the Fairtrade Foundation* and to develop well-known brands such as CaféDirect coffee and Divine Chocolate.  The range of products increases every year.

There is now a regular, busy Traidcraft stall at St John’s after the morning service at 11.15 on the second Sunday of every month (except January when there is no stall and November when we move to the first Sunday) which is very well supported by the congregation.  We sell a wide variety of delicious Fairtrade chocolate, sweets, tea, coffee (top quality!), biscuits, dried fruit, nuts, greetings cards, home and garden goods, handmade ethical fairtrade gifts.  In the run-up to Christmas we carry cards, Advent Calendars, decorations and small gifts; before Easter we have eggs of all sizes and cards.  

During Fairtrade Fortnight, which is celebrated every year in February, we hold a popular and successful Big Brew Coffee Morning in the church hall, serving fair trade tea and coffee and delicious cakes with fair trade ingredients.  There is also a Traidcraft stall displaying our wide range of products, including Easter cards and eggs, for sale. We also have a stall at all our church fetes. It’s impossible for us to stock Traidcraft’s full range of food and drink, confectionery, groceries, fashion, crafts, household goods and gifts, but we are happy to order for you, postage free, any items shown in the catalogue, or the online shop. 

In 2019 Traidcraft celebrated its 40th anniversary.  At St John’s we celebrated by eating cake with our after-church coffee.
  
*Fairtrade changes the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions and a fairer deal for farmers and workers in developing countries.  The Fairtrade Foundation is the umbrella organisation which certifies products and ingredients with the Fairtrade logo (above) having checked that their standards have been maintained throughout the supply chain.
 
 For enquiries about Traidcraft at St John’s please email Katie.