Oxfam shops across the UK will be rewarding donors for their generosity with 40 free cups of tea each during Fairtrade Fortnight. Anyone bringing in a bag of quality donations to an Oxfam shop from 22 February to 7 March will get a box of 40 Cafédirect tea bags as a swap in return.
The charity has set a target of almost 85,000 new donations* in a fortnight from the tea-swap initiative, at the same time as encouraging consumers to switch over to Fairtrade products. This means consumers can help to change lives in two important ways – by supporting Fairtrade producers in the developing world, and by helping Oxfam to raise money to fight poverty.
The offer comes as part of Fairtrade Fortnight’s theme of ‘The Big Swap’, which is aiming for people across Britain to make one million and one swaps from non-Fairtrade goods to their Fairtrade equivalent during that two-week period. Around 250 Oxfam shops will be taking part in the donations-for-tea swap.
Sally Hogg, New Products Manager at Oxfam, said:
“Supporting Fairtrade is a really simple and effective way for people to use their power as high street shoppers to help change lives around the world. By donating to an Oxfam shop, you can help us to raise millions of pounds to fight poverty. And during Fairtrade Fortnight, you can do both at the same time by swapping your unwanted goods for some refreshing Cafédirect tea.”
Anne MacCaig, CEO at Cafédirect said:
“We’re delighted to be supporting this drive for donations by rewarding people with an excellent cuppa. Once they’ve tasted our brew, we’re confident that people will be inspired to turn over a new leaf and swap to Cafédirect for good.”
Veronica Pasteur, Head of Campaigns at the Fairtrade Foundation said:
“Congratulations to Oxfam and their campaign to get behind the Big Swap. We are looking forward to people swapping as many things as they can find during Fairtrade Fortnight to help us meet our one million and one goal. This is a great initiative and I’m really excited to take part. I can’t wait to go into my local Oxfam store and swap as many things as possible for my free tea. I’d encourage everyone to go out and take part.”
Oxfam food shops also sell Cafédirect Fairtrade tea in boxes of 80 for £2.49 and boxes of 440 for £9.99.
Earlier this year, Oxfam reported that donations to its shops over the last 12 months have decreased by 15 per cent, the steepest decline for years, as the recession has hit the UK hard.
To find your nearest participating shop, search for ‘food’ at www.oxfam.org.uk/shopfinder or call 0300 2001 333.
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Notes to editors
Oxfam was one of the pioneers of Fairtrade more than 40 years ago and has been involved in its successful growth in the UK ever since. In 1991, Oxfam helped to found Cafédirect, which is now the UK’s fourth-largest roast and ground coffee brand. In 1992 we co-founded the Fairtrade Foundation (with five other organisations), which licenses the use of the FAIRTRADE Mark in the UK. We continue to work closely with both of these organisations.
*Based on the average quantity of 3.5 items per donation.
From 22 February to 7 March, any customer handing in any donation(s) over the counter at a participating Oxfam shop will be offered a box of 40 Cafédirect teabags in return. Offer available while stocks last. One free box of Cafedirect tea per person.
For more information or to arrange an interview with an Oxfam spokesperson, please contact:
Stuart Fowkes
01865 472254 | 07818 406038 | [email protected]