‘RAISING THE GAME’

As the world has gone footballing mad again and, not in the least rejoicing in England's defeat, let's contemplate some of the less savoury statistics. Billions of pounds are spent on advertising, marketing, alcohol consumption and other vices. Little thought is given to the hand stitchers and factory workers in the developing countries who produce the footballs for the world’s favourite sport.

70% of the world’s footballs come from the Sialkot region of Pakistan where 44,000 mainly women and children are involved in the production of 35 million footballs every year by hand stitching prepared panels together in their homes. In a typical day, a skilled person would stitch three balls. It is work they are ‘forced’ to take up because of low adult wages and the dire need for family survival. However, FAIRTRADE is coming to the rescue. International Fairtrade standards guarantee decent pay and conditions for factory workers and stitchers, enabling families to send their children to school rather than out to work.

Individual stories and testimonies may be read in the latest Fair Comment magazine from the Fairtrade Foundation, but as one producer states “acquiring Fairtrade certification is the beginning of an ongoing quest for a socially responsible business culture”. FAIRTRADE IS RAISING THE GAME and offering consumers a product that has real social impact. Meanwhile, the Mustard Seed is demonstrating its support by selling Divine chocolate footballs that carry the Fairtrade mark. Hurry while stocks last!

‘BEYOND COFFEE…..’

The range of Fairtrade products has grown immensely beyond coffee, chocolate, tea and bananas. Below are some of the highlights.

Feast on Fairtrade fruit including bananas from the Windward Islands, Columbia and the Dominican Republic, mangoes from South Africa, Brazil, Peru and Ecuador, pineapples from Ghana and Costa Rica, avocados from Mexico and South Africa, grapes from South Africa and Egypt, oranges from Brazil and Morocco, lychees from Mozambique and seasonal pears, plums, apples, lemons and limes from South Africa.

Wear Fairtrade certified cotton from India and Mali with pride; T-shirts, trousers, dresses, and childrens wear. Or kick a Fairtrade Sportsball from Pakistan.

Spice up your food with Fairtrade pepper, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon from Sri Lanka. Or try nutmeg and vanilla from Uganda.

Enjoy spreads and jams made with Fairtrade certified sugar from Malawi and Paraguay, including marmalade, and strawberry, apple and cranberry jam. Or indulge in chocolate spreads and honey from Chile, Mexico and Zambia.

Snack on brazil nuts and peanuts from Bolivia and Mali.

NEW VISIONS???

Who could have imagined 15 years ago, all the above coming about?  The answer for many of us came in a ‘vision’ at this Church to open a ‘One World’ shop to be named the Mustard Seed. The aim was to educate ordinary church people, visitors and the like, of the real story about trade injustice and exploitation, and to offer practical help to the overseas growers through the sale of campaign coffee, tea and chocolate. Similarly, that message has been reverberating around the country through the energy of like-minded, but dedicated, supporters. But the significance of the Mustard Seed in Garstang cannot be just put aside. It was an enormous pleasure to have George Alagiah, Patron of the Fairtrade Foundation, in Garstang for the celebration of the town’s 5-year anniversary on becoming the first Fairtrade town. That he was able to spend time affirming each and every supporter on our premises and to pose for photographs was a delight to many. Yes! A moment of pride, but also a challenge for a ‘new vision’ for the future as political acceptance of the ethos of Fairtrade appears more encouraging. 

It is time to ‘raise our game’ and opportunity comes through the Church Renewal project. The Volunteers and Church Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that gives the Mustard Seed autonomy to operate on the premises whilst also embracing supporters from the community who are committed to the cause of Fairtrade. Funds have been allocated from Mustard Seed reserves and from the proceeds of current sales to finance the additional structural work in developing the current shop to a sales and exhibition area only. Supporters will serve coffee etc in the new lounge area. Many challenges present themselves, but there are positive signs – new volunteers and encouragement from the Garstang and District Partnership. Can the momentum of change and a new vision bring about a renewal that we all wish for? Please pray for a new vision for the Mustard Seed in providing the story about Fairtrade and serving in the community of Garstang. Also, please keep to this year’s motto “ Make Fairtrade Your Habit”   

John Allen

Mustard Seed Coordinator

REPORT FROM THE MUSTARD SEED, AUGUST 2007

(Published in the Magazine of Garstang Methodist Church, Harvest edition 2007)

Why do British people care so much for the ‘poor’ in countries other than their own? and Why do the people of Garstang support Fairtrade so passionately? These were questions asked in the Mustard Seed by TV documentary programme makers from Hong Kong! How does one respond to strangers from the other side of the world and of another culture? As Christians, we know it was Jesus who was sent to bring good news to the poor. So, if he were with us today, he would be taking a central part in the campaign for universal Fairtrade. His unequivocal commitment to justice and rapier insight would see through the hypocrisy of the way we, who are not poor, but proclaim to be his followers, give with one hand, through charity, but take with the other, through unfair trade.

The Mustard Seed, in its 16 years, has sought to expose the injustices of unfair trade and to engage in practical help through the selling goods to help poor communities help themselves. We have listened to the stories and testimonies of the visitors who have come. Through the initiative of the Rev. Peter Haywood, a spark was struck for Fairtrade in Garstang. But through the 1990s, the increasingly available practical options of certified quality fairly trade teas, coffees and chocolate became a serious campaigning challenge. The Garstang Oxfam Group, frustrated by the inertia of governments, politicians and, even, churches in tackling the causes of global poverty, initiated community action resulting in Garstang's declaring itself the World’s First Fairtrade Town. This was likened to the lighting of a beacon for Fairtrade as it gave birth to the Fairtrade Towns initiative, spearheaded by Bruce Crowther.

Today, Fairtrade is reported as the fastest growing consumer movement in recent memory as more and more people recognise and buy products carrying the Fairtrade Mark. But for a lasting impact, success is dependent upon the 270 towns and communities who have, so far, met Fairtrade status, along with 3,500 Fairtrade churches and 60 Fairtrade Universities continuing to meet the criteria and pledges they have given. In Garstang, these pledges are being renewed and the Mustard Seed has made its pledge which is to provide ‘Over 60 Fairtrade products for sale and stories contributing to the greater understanding of the principles of Fairtrade’. All Fairtrade towns are required to meet five criteria and Fairtrade churches have each agreed to three. Businesses, work places etc, are invited to make their individual pledges.

There is world-wide interest in the Fairtrade towns movement with Garstang receiving a cult status, perhaps beyond what we deserve. However, the visitors to Garstang from Hong Kong could become the norm. Understandably, they wanted to test our commitment. They took the liberty to catch every corner of our premises on camera and rightly so, if we proclaim to be what we are! Let us pray that their programme does make an impact in Hong Kong and then we can truthfully say that Jesus is alive today!

The Mustard Seed is an important element of our Church’s Renewal where our volunteers have increasingly engaged in community activities. We continue a journey of faith where we still need to engage with younger people and to explore the potential of information technology to keep up to date. We have been encouraged by the award of a commemorative plaque from the Garstang and District Partnership in recognition of the work we are doing. This was unveiled at an informal gathering by our MP, Mr Ben Wallace and special guest the Rev. Peter Haywood.

John Allen
Mustard Seed Coordinator
August 2007