What is Fairtrade?   Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay above market prices, Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their lot and have more control over their lives.

There are an estimated 1 million farmers and workers directly involved in Fairtrade. In addition, millions more people benefit indirectly from the investments in communities of the social premium. Fairtrade means better terms of trade and decent production conditions. The Fairtrade Foundation, with its partners, maintains these standards by regularly inspecting third world suppliers, and checking contracts and trade terms.

	Meet Nioka she is a banana farmer from the Windward Islands. She is single, with four sons, and is 43 years old.

A typical day for Nioka starts at dawn when she gets up to prepare breakfast for herself and her children. Nioka’s work on the farm generally begins at 6a.m. and at around 11a.m. she breaks off to cook lunch for her family. After lunch, Nioka works through until 5p.m. when it is time for supper. Growing bananas is exhausting work and Nioka and her sons have to plant, tend and (on Mondays and Tuesdays) pick the crop. Once the bananas are harvested the family must grade, wash and pack them - ready for export to the UK.

Nioka is clear about the benefits of Fairtrade. As Nioka herself says, membership of a Fairtrade scheme allows her to "get a better price and save more money". In this way she is able to help with the education of her youngest son. Another advantage of Fairtrade for Nioka is that the additional income it provides allows her and her children to enjoy some sort of social life. Nioka loves to cook and enjoys experimenting in the kitchen while all her sons are passionate about football and play as often as they can.

To take up the challenge, find out how many Fairtrade products your local shop sells. Encourage everyone you know to buy Fairtrade products and help people like Nioka build a better life for her family.

Why not find out more about Fairtrade and how you can help at www.fairtrade.org.uk Thank you so much to the Fairtrade foundation for allowing us to use these stories and images.