Anthony Izzillo’s primary objective was always to offer a total hot beverage solution of Fairtrade products to Corporate Express customers.
And with the introduction of Scarborough Fair tea and coffee, and Jasper drinking chocolate and organic sugar, CE’s Merchandising Manager for Liquor, Coffee and Kitchen is a happy man!
Anthony is passionate about Fairtrade products, and Corporate Express now has the most comprehensive range of Fairtrade teas, coffees, sugar and drinking chocolate available – a total of 40 different products – for your drinking pleasure!
“We have everything you need to make a great cup of Fairtrade coffee, whether it’s from beans, ground or instant coffee, in a size that suits your budget.
“And then there’s the tea: black tea, green tea, Chai green tea, English Breakfast and Earl Grey tea...more than 8 varieties to choose from, in a range of pack sizes.
“And now we offer organic drinking chocolate and organic sugar, to add the final touches to our product range.
“With three Fairtrade suppliers – Republica, Jasper and Scarborough Fair – we’re offering some great choices, with different strengths to cater for different palates, and a range of sizing options to suit everyone.
“It’s a complete hot beverage solution!” says Anthony.
Even though his primary objective has now been filled, Anthony has now set his sights on other Fairtrade and organic products.
“We’re now looking at the possibility of introducing Fairtrade nuts, and Fairtrade wines from boutique vineyards overseas, as we look to extend the range even further,” he says.
Not limiting his ideas to just consumable items, Anthony recently introduced the Corporate Express Promotions Department to a preferred supplier offering Fairtrade cotton T-shirts! And he recently introduced a biodynamic and organic section to his Liquor catalogue, offering those customers a range of healthy alternatives.
“I think it's important that the company as big as ours is seen to support the Fairtrade brand,” says Anthony.
“More and more of our customers are committed to Sustainability and ethical sourcing programs, and providing Fairtrade products, and becoming a Fairtrade accredited workplace, helps them with their corporate social responsibility objectives.
“Melbourne’s RMIT was the first Australian university to be declared a Fair Trade workplace by the Fairtrade Association of Australia and New Zealand, with the help of Corporate Express in Melbourne.
“And a bit closer to home, our new Corporate Express office in Mascot now offers Fairtrade instant coffee sticks on all floors. We’re in the process of becoming a certified Fairtrade workplace and I anticipate that we’ll have 100% conversion in due course,” says Anthony.
Why not make your next cuppa from one of our Fairtrade options?
Fairtrade – growing stronger each year
- Retail sales of Fairtrade products in Australia and New Zealand now exceed AUD$30 million in total since the first products were sold in September 2003.
- In 2007, Fairtrade certified products in Australia reached AUD$18m, compared to AUD$11.4 million in 2006.
- Fairtrade certified coffee retail sales reached AUD$15 million in 2007.
- Worldwide, consumers spent over 2.3 billion Euros on Fairtrade certified products in 2007. This represents a 47% increase on the previous year and means that over 1.5 million producers and workers in 58 developing countries now benefit from Fairtrade sales.
- In particular, sales of juices have almost quadrupled, sugar has doubled and bananas have increased by 72%. Coffee, the first and one of the most established Fairtrade products, continued to grow steadily with an increase of 19%.
- Fairtrade cotton farmers have also seen demand for their produce more than double in just one year. During 2007, the sales of items made out of Fairtrade certified cotton, ranging from cotton wool to jeans and towels, surpassed 14 million individual items.
How to become a Fairtrade workplace
While consumption of Fairtrade tea and coffee is important, accreditation is based on a range of other initiatives, such as participating in Fairtrade Fortnight promotions and activities:
Use Fairtrade certified products within your workplace
Convert staff rooms, canteens, board rooms and other buying units within the organisation to purchasing Fairtrade certified tea and coffee.
Promote Fair trade within your workplace
This can be as simple as putting up a poster on your noticeboard or in the staff room publicising that you are using Fairtrade certified coffee and tea.· Hold or support an event during Fairtrade Fortnight in May, by having a Fairtrade morning tea, displaying a Fairtrade poster, or any other way possible.
Benefits of Fair Trade Workplaces
The ultimate beneficiaries of the program are the communities in the developing world who benefit from receiving a guaranteed fair and sustainable price for their products, better working conditions, and a contribution toward community development. Participation as a Fairtrade Workplace also brings direct benefits to participating organisations in a number of ways, including:
- Brings positive publicity for the organisation, showing that the organisation is serious about social responsibility and responsive to its staff;
- Provides a tool for the organisation to help meet environmental and social responsibility goals;
- Improves staff morale as staff feel they are contributing to supporting poorer communities with every cup of coffee or tea.
More info?
