FAQ
This page should help to answer any questions you might have about Trade Aid’s range of Sweet Justice products. If you have a question which is not answered here, contact us at: tradeaid@tradeaid.org.nz
How does Trade Aid work? A quick in-sight...
The origins of Trade Aid stretch back to 1973 when a Christchurch couple, Vi and Richard Cottrell returned to New Zealand after working with Tibetan refugees in India. They went looking for adventure but had no idea that their drive and vision would lead to the founding of a fair trade organisation unique in New Zealand. Along with ten others they decided to set up “an importing company to trade with underdeveloped countries”.
Trade Aid started out buying crafts from artisans around the world. Over the past ten years Trade Aid has been slowly increasing the number of fair trade food products on offer to New Zealanders.
Find out more about our history, our charter and our structure here.
What do the farmers get out of their relationship with Trade Aid?
Trade Aid products are made with cocoa and sugar which is bought from farmer co-operatives at the guaranteed minimum Fairtrade price (or above) which protects the farmers from the volatility of the market.
The cooperative receives an additional Fair trade premium which the cooperative can invest in their own communities to improve farmers' living, health and education standards, and farming productivity.
What's more, at Trade Aid our trading profits are also shared amongst our trading partners for them to use as they like.
How can I find out more about Trade Aid and the impact of its work?
Visit out main website here and view a complete set of our 2007/2008 social accounts. This is an in-depth study of Trade Aid's performance against our charter.
Are Trade Aid’s products organic?
Trade Aid’s Sweet Justice range of products (sugar, cocoa and hot chocolate) are 100% organic. Read more about the AsureQuality organic certification mark here – an independent mark of authenticity. This organic certification shows that products have been produced according to organic principals all the way from 'paddock to plate'.
Being organic means there is nothing to harm you, the farmers or the environment as it contains no chemicals, pesticides or herbicides - a win-win situation for all!
Being organic, we have no anti-caking agent in our products such as sugar and cocoa. This may mean that some lumps may form if there is moisture in the pack…but this just means it is all natural!
Can you tell me more about Trade Aid's sustainable packaging?
At Trade Aid we are always looking for more sustainable packaging options. Our range of Sweet Justice products are made with sustainable packaging.
Our cocoa and hot chocolate retail packs come in a box made from 100% recycled unbleached paper fibre. The box is recyclable and is printed using a vegetable oil.
The inner bag is made from cellophane. Cellophane is derived from cellulose, a plant material. It can be added to your compost heap, where it will be broken down. Scrunch up the cellophane to create air pockets. Don't forget that the microscopic organisms that break down the cellophane will need warmth, food and oxygen.
Are Trade Aid’s products suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
All Trade Aid’s Sweet Justice range of products are suitable for vegetarians. Everything excluding our milk chocolate (milk chocolate 50 grams and milk mocha 100 grams) are also possible choices for vegans, although we cannot guarantee these products are totally milk-free as they may have been produced on equipment that has also handled milk products.
Our sugar (1.5kg) is also vegan. Often refined sugar is processed with animal bone char, but not ours!
Do Trade Aid’s products contain nuts?
Other than our Dark Almond Chocolate, no Trade Aid products have nuts in them. However, no Trade Aid products can be guaranteed totally nut-free as the equipment used to manufacture the product (especially our chocolate) may have also manufactuered products containing nuts.
I want to stock these products in my: shop/cafe/workplace/church/school
Contact out customer service desk customerservice@tradeaid.org.nz or call 0508 TRADE AID (872 332) to find out more....
