Feed Me Fairtrade

Making Mayan Gold Coffee Ice Cream for the 30th Anniversary of Cafédirect and Fairtrade

In our latest, special episode of Feed Me Fairtrade, we celebrated Fairtrade Fortnight by having a go at making our very own coffee ice cream. 

In 2024, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Fairtrade, the pioneering movement which champions fair and equal trading terms for many of the producers we work with, as well as the 30th anniversary of Cafédirect, the ethical retailer which was one of the first companies to sell Fairtrade certified coffee in 1994. 

The coffee we use in this recipe is Cafédirect’s delicious Mayan Gold, which is sourced from Union de Ejidos y Comunidades San Fernando (UES), a Mexican coffee co-operative supported by Shared Interest finance, which is committed to the production of high quality, Fairtrade coffee.  

Click here to learn more about UES.

Making a Fruity, Fairtrade Sangria inspired by Rwandan Fruit and Vegetable Producer Garden Fresh

In this episode of Feed Me Fairtrade, Sally makes a flavourful, Fairtrade Sangria inspired by Shared Interest customer and Rwandan fruit-and-vegetable producer Garden Fresh.  

Founded in 2015, Garden Fresh have evolved to support over 300 farmers, producing high quality products such as French beans, chillies and passionfruit. Garden Fresh became a Shared Interest customer in 2023, and are using our finance to support stable incomes for Garden Fresh farmers by purchasing their produce directly. 

Meanwhile, a portion of our finance is allocated to improving cost efficiencies by bulk-purchasing packaging materials from Kenya. 

Get inspired and support producers like Garden Fresh by incorporating Fairtrade fruit into your own sangria and watching this simple recipe video.

Click here to learn more about Garden Fresh.

Making a Coconut, Almond, Oat and Sugar Bodyscrub inspired by Fairtrade Farmers

In this episode, Sally tries something different and uses a range of Fairtrade ingredients to create a delicious body scrub!

And the best part? In addition to supporting the livelihoods of Fairtrade farmers, this body scrub is incredibly easy to make - and would be a perfect choice for an ethical, practical and creative gift for a loved one.

Making Healthy Hummus and Veggies inspired by Shared Interest Foundation's Soilless Farming Projects

In this video, Sally makes delicious creamy hummus with roasted veggies. This recipe is inspired by Shared Interest Foundation’s soilless farming projects in Burkina Faso and Ghana.

Shared Interest Foundation first launched a soilless farming project in 2022 and has so far supported two projects in Burkina Faso and a third in Ghana. The soilless farming technique uses readily available local materials, including sawdust, coconut fibres and poultry manure, which retain water and release nutrients for plant growth.

Project participants are supported through this activity to increase their income through the production and sale of organic vegetables.

Click here to learn more about Shared Interest Foundation's soilless farming projects.

Making Chocolate Cupcakes inspired by our Little Book of Fairness

In this episode, Sally makes quick, easy and scrumptious chocolate cupcakes.

Inspired by Shared Interest’s Little Book of Fairness, a free, educational resource which aims to introduce the concept of fair trade to young children, this recipe is a classic, but each ingredient can easily be replaced by a fair trade alternative to make sure that your uplifting treat will also make the planet happy.

Click here to learn more about our Little Book of Fairness.

Making Breakfast Granola Inspired by Brazil Nut Producer Candela Peru

In this episode, Sally makes her favourite breakfast granola. "I love this in the morning topped with a bit of yogurt and some berries fresh or defrosted ones and sometimes with a drizzle of honey too." Sally said. 

Having found this recipe years ago, Sally has now adapted it with things like desiccated coconut or a bit of ground cinnamon.

Click here to learn more about Candela Peru.

Making Thai Peanut and Butternut Curry Inspired by Liberation Foods

In September 2023, the Shared Interest team participated in a Coffee and Learn Workshop with Liberation Managing Director Dan Binks.

Inspired by our session, our Partnerships Manager Sally celebrates the long-lasting, far-reaching relationship between Shared Interest and Liberation by having a go at creating a warming Thai Peanut and Butternut Squash Curry, using Liberation peanut butter and cashew nuts.

Click here to learn more about Liberation foods.

Making Energy Balls Inspired by SOCODD and CAYAT

To kick start the year in good health, this time Sally shares a recipe for some delicious energy balls. She normally uses peanut butter as her nut base in energy balls, but here she tries something new.

At Shared Interest, we support a number of organisations who grow cashew nuts, such as SOCODD and CAYAT (pictured left). They often produce cashew nuts as part of their commodity mix alongside a main crop of cocoa or coffee.

Click here to learn more about SOCODD.

Making an Ethical Honey Cake Inspired by EDUCE

In this episode of Feed Me Fairtrade, our Partnerships Manager Sally Seddon creates a delectable Fairtrade honey cake inspired by EDUCE, an umbrella co-operative established in 1997 which is dedicated to the production and export of Fairtrade honey.

Today, the co-op works with almost 1,000 beekeepers among 30 co-operatives in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, representing their voices and interests. We have proudly supported EDUCE with fair finance since 2003.

Click here to learn more about EDUCE.

Making Pancakes Inspired by our Bees for Business project

In this video, Sally shows us how to create delicious pancakes using a creative selection of Fairtrade ingredients including olive oil from the Palestinian farmers of Zaytoun, honey from Equal Exchange, balsamic vinegar, smoked cheese and pear.  

This eclectic recipe draws inspiration from Shared Interest Foundation's first Bees for Business project, which was launched in 2018 and supported 50 women in the rural community of Dakoro, Burkina Faso. 

Click here to learn more about Shared Interest Foundation's Bees for Business project.

Making Peruvian Rice Pudding for Christmas Inspired by CAES Piura

Arroz con leche (rice pudding) is a popular Latin American Christmas food that’s usually prepared in large quantities to easily feed big families.

The idea to prepare this dish was inspired our Peruvian colleagues, who told us that rice pudding is a firm favourite in their homes at this time of year.

Meanwhile, the recipe for this seasonal staple draws inspiration from CAES Piura, a Shared Interest customer and co-operative whom process and export brown sugar from the cane sugar grown in the mountains of the Piura region of northern Peru.

Click here to read our blog to discover more eco-friendly arts and crafts ideas at Christmas for the whole family.