When you go to buy a coffee, a banana or a bunch of flowers there are a myriad of options that come into your decision. The quality, the price, the origin, how it looks, how it feels. However, are you as a consumer asking the question: is it Fairtrade?

As more Fairtrade options are put on the shelf and on our menus, there are some really good reasons why it should be a consideration in your purchase. We spoke to Peter Gaynor, executive director with Fairtrade Ireland.

1 Supporting Farmers

So many of us want to support farmers, whether it’s the beef farmer down the road, the dairy farmer in Cork or the tillage farmer in Carlow. However, without too much effort, we can also support farmers in developing countries, such as Aimeth Fernández Angulo, a banana farmer in Colombia. Her small farm of 1.3ha produces around 67 boxes (1.2 tonnes) of bananas a week.

By supporting Fairtrade farmers, they are getting a fair price for the products they produce and you’re helping families to build and grow their ethical operations, to be educated and thrive.

While it benefits them, it also benefits us in the long run, with sustainable production of quality ingredients.

Farmers in developing countries also suffer from power imbalances in the supply chain. However, they are much further removed than Irish farmers and many don’t have the support of farmer organisations who will lobby on their behalf.

A small purchase can make a big difference.

2Helping to Build Co-ops

We’re a nation that understands the power of the co-op and the more Fairtrade is supported, the more co-ops are making a difference in developing companies.

Some small farmer cooperatives have as much as an extra $1m a year to spend on education and healthcare because they are selling most of what they produce on Fairtrade terms.

3Power in your Wallet

We’ve all heard reports of how a small number of very big food companies are dictating our food agenda. In fact, it can make you feel somewhat powerless in the face of those multi-million dollar companies.

However, supporting Fairtrade is giving you the power to vote with your wallet, helping you feel that your purchase is making a difference.

It sends a very clear signal that when Fairtrade is an option, it will be supported. Evidence of this can be seen as more companies really get on board with Fairtrade. For example, Bewley’s recently announced that it is moving all of its own-label coffee to Fairtrade by the end of 2017.

And an increasing number of smaller coffee companies are getting involved as well – these include the Kinsale Coffee Company, the Café Lounge and a special coffee from Inishbofin Island, which last year became a Fairtrade island.

As well as this, retailers like Aldi have launched Fairtrade products like poinsettias and new bouquets of Fairtrade roses.

By supporting Fairtrade products, we as consumers are encouraging companies and retailers to put even more products on shelf. We’re showing that as consumers we care. It goes beyond a purchase, it’s a commitment to the social justice agenda.

4Buying Quality

When you buy Fairtrade, you are buying quality. Fairtrade products are grown by people who care, selling to markets where people are concerned about the quality of the food they eat.

The products are grown by small farmers and co-ops rather than giant conglomerates.

Fairtrade producers must meet trade practises at every stage and their products have high levels of traceability and transparency. Supporting Fairtrade is like the guaranteed Irish symbol, only for developing country producers.

Also, by supporting Fairtrade, farmers are getting minimum prices that cover the cost of sustainable production and co-ops have more stable long-term relationships with buyers.

5Cheaper Prices

Just because you’re buying Fairtrade doesn’t mean you need to spend more, especially during Fairtrade Fortnight, when some retailers such as Lidl and Aldi are running promotions.

For example, you can buy a jar of Fairtrade coffee in Aldi up to €2 cheaper than other brands, such as Nescafé. Bananas can be up to 3c cheaper per piece of fruit when supporting Fairtrade. CL

Did you know?

It is estimated that global sales of Fairtrade products reached about €7.3bn in 2015 and that these generated extra benefits of approximately €138m for farmers and workers.

>> Snippets

Millions in unclaimed tax refunds for incapacitated relatives

One third of eligible taxpayers are unaware that you can receive tax reliefs from the cost of caring for the ill or disabled. Taxbax.com is flagging this because many people are unaware of the tax rebate on carer expenses. Nursing home fees are an area where relief is still allowable at the higher rate of tax if applicable, at 40%. Tax relief for employing a home carer has also increased recently. For 2016 you can claim tax relief at the higher rate of 40% also. Taxpayers can submit a claim by completing Form HK 1, which is available online. Tax credits can also be claimed if you have a child (under 18) who is incapacitated ,or becomes incapacitated between 18 and 21 years of age. If more than one child is incapacitated then the credit can be claimed for each child. The credit due for 2016 and 2017 is at €3,300. See www.taxback.com for more information.

One in five Change Car before 2018

Almost one in 10 of motorists wish to change their car before July 2017, with over 20% planning a change before the end of the year, according to recent research carried out by AA Ireland.

Over 50% of these will buy a used car from a dealer, while 7% plan on changing their car in the next six to 12 months. The survey also discovered that men are 4% more likely to change their car before 2018 than women. Just 28% of those surveyed stated that they intend on buying a brand new car.

New Personal Loans

Chill Money has launched 24-hour personal loans online and is the first non-bank provider to enter the Irish marketplace. Chill Money is part of the Chill Insurance group. Borrowers can get approval and funding for up to €50,000 in less than 24 hours and the application process is totally online. Customers can establish in less than four minutes if they qualify for a loan - known as approval in principle. Successful applicants see funds lodged into their bank account within 24 hours, or one working day. To qualify for a loan, the customer must be over the age of 18, a resident in the Republic of Ireland and have a net monthly income of at least €1,450 paid into their bank account. The online application process involves uploading documents to assist verification of key customer details: a utility bill, copy of their drivers licence or passport and three recent monthly bank statements. They also require a satisfactory Irish Credit Bureau check. See www.chillmoney.ie