Quorn Blog

What words come to mind when you read the words ‘Fairtrade’? Bananas? Tea? Chocolate? How about roses, olive oil or Lincolnshire? No?

Well actually, yes! I live in Louth in Lincolnshire and we’re one of 460 Fairtrade Towns  in the UK.

This year Louth will be supporting the annual ‘Fairtrade Fortnight’ between February 22nd and 7th March 2010. This year’s theme is ‘The Big Swap’ and aims to get everyone swapping their usual items for Fairtrade goodies. With over 4,500 products licensed to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark there’s plenty of choice and by choosing Fairtrade, each and every one of us can make a real and sustainable difference to communities in 59 countries.

With Fairtrade products available from a wide range of outlets from charity shops to supermarkets, it’s easier than ever to swap your usual tea bags and chocolate to a Fairtrade variety. But it needn’t stop there! Beauty products, footballs and clothing made from Fairtrade certified cotton can be found on the High Street - just look for the FAIRTRADE Mark.

Fairtrade standards ensure that a minimum price is paid which ‘covers the cost of sustainable production’. Social, economic and environmental standards must also be met as well as an ongoing commitment to improve the lives of workers, farmers and their families.

The benefits of Fairtrade are widespread and even small, local retailers can make a difference. By selling Fairtrade products in its shop and café, St James church in Louth supports farmers and workers across the world and also helps to fund the upkeep of the church.

As well as towns such as Louth, universities, colleges and places of worship can also achieve Fairtrade status. Certain goals need to be met, including a commitment to raise awareness and increase local understanding of Fairtrade.

In Louth our town council serves Fairtrade refreshments in meetings and our Mayor had Fairtrade wine when he was sworn in. An extensive and ever increasing range of Fairtrade items are available in local shops, cafes, restaurants and churches, and with Louth now an official ‘Food Town’ our commitment to Fairtrade remains as strong as ever.

So why not give Fairtrade a go this fortnight?  Check out the full list of Fairtrade products available at retailers throughout the UK here.  If you think your village is interested in becoming a Fairtrade town then find out how to apply.

To help get you started, try this yummy Quorn fruity burger recipe, which uses as many Fairtrade ingredients as possible.

Quorn Fruity Burgers

Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 12 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 175g Quorn Mince
• 5 medium carrots sliced and cooked until soft then drained
• 1 level tsp yeast extract
• 50g fresh white bread crumbs, 2 slices approx
• 6 dried Fairtrade apricots from Sun Cottage finely chopped
• 50g golden Fairtrade sultanas from Traidcraft, finely chopped
• 4 spring onions, finely sliced including green part
• 1 tsp dried chilli flakes
• 1 Fairtrade orange, zest only, finely grated (look out for Fairtrade oranges at Sainsburys, ASDA, Co-operative and Tesco)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 medium egg, beaten
• Salt and freshly ground Fairtrade black pepper from ASDA
• 1 tbsp Equal Exchange extra virgin olive oil for frying
• a little flour to dust burgers

Method

1. Mash the carrots whilst still warm, stir through the yeast extract so that it melts.
2. Add all the remaining ingredients and mix well.
3. Form burgers either with your hands or use a suitable sized pastry cutter as a mould.
4. Pack the mixture firmly into the mould and then remove carefully. This mixture makes 10-12 burgers depending on size.
5. Dust the burgers lightly with flour, shallow fry in pre-heated oil for 10-12 minutes on a medium heat, turning halfway for even browning.
6. Drain on kitchen paper. Serve in a bun with crispy lettuce leaves.

If you’ve got any great tips for going Fairtrade, be sure to let us know!