Compass Group UK & Ireland has announced that it is launching a new Fairtrade retail range this Fairtrade Fortnight (25 February to 10 March).

News
Compass Group news team
Thursday 21 February 2013

The Compass owned EATFAIR retail offer will be available from 800 sites initially and the leading food and support services provider has pledged to donate profits to dedicated EATFAIR foundation projects.

In a market leading initiative, Compass will donate 5p to EATFAIR projects for every item sold from the range. These projects have been carefully selected by Compass to support growers and producers from developing countries in bringing their Fairtrade certified products to market. The new EATFAIR range includes a selection of the most-loved Fairtrade retail products such as all butter flapjacks, white choc chip chewy cookies, Eccles cakes, chocolate brownies and lemon muffins and looks set to be a hit with customers.

Compass' first EATFAIR project will help farmers in Uganda become more sustainable in their production of coffee and food crops. As well as seeds and tools, farmers will be provided with expert training, helping them to nourish themselves, their families and their businesses. As part of the project, field specialists will help smallholder growers to implement sustainable agricultural practices. EATFAIR has partnered with specialists to educate growers about subjects such as soil structure and fertility, erosion control, subsistence crop development and adapting to climate change. All of this will enable farmers across Uganda to grow more crops, feed their families and boost their earning potential by bringing quality products to market.

Ian Sarson, Group Managing Director of Compass Group UK & Ireland commented on the new initiative; "Compass is a proud supporter of Fairtrade and our commitment is to help farmers, workers and their families in developing countries improve their livelihoods and get a fairer deal for their products. 

"We are constantly seeking ways to develop this commitment and are delighted to introduce the EATFAIR retail range this Fairtrade Fortnight. EATFAIR projects will make a real difference to farmers in Africa, and we are immensely excited to take this step in driving sales of Fairtrade products and creating a significant impact as a result."

Ashish Deo, Commercial Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, said; "In 2013 Fairtrade is challenging businesses to go further in their support for producers. The new EATFAIR range of products from Compass is a great example of an innovative way for a long term Fairtrade supporter to go beyond the standards. I am really pleased to see the combination of higher sales through a widely available dedicated product range and additional contribution to producers' investment in improving agriculture. This will enable better producer impact and builds on Compass' continuing efforts to promote Fairtrade."

Compass is the leading supporter of Fairtrade in the foodservice industry, achieving a number of industry firsts including swapping to 100% Fairtrade sugar and bananas and maintaining double digit sales growth of Fairtrade products over the last six years. It was the winner of the MIDAS Innovation Fairtrade Award in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and was shortlisted in 2012.

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For more information on Compass Group UK & Ireland:
Tara Carroll, Compass Group UK & Ireland
Tel: 01895 554210 / Mob:  07798 566405
Email: tara.carroll@compass-group.co.uk

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