Clipper Teas partners with UK female influencers for Fairtrade Fornight message
The world’s largest Fairtrade tea brand, Clipper Teas, has enlisted support from high-profile activist and UK television presenter, Katie Piper, to highlight the positive impact of ethical tea production in support of Fairtrade Fortnight’s ‘She Deserves’ campaign. Fairtrade Fortnight runs from 24 February – 8 March 2020 and celebrates the role of women in farming communities.
Acting alongside Piper will be other female influencers such as chef Melissa Hemsley and yogi Cat Meffan, who will be sharing Clipper’s 25 Fairtrade impact stories across social media. The stories tell of the positive impact Clipper’s 25-year partnership with Fairtrade has had over aspects such as school funding, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure in impoverished communities.
In addition to supporting fair wages, Clipper also contributes towards the Fairtrade Premium which producers can spend where it is most needed within their communities. Clipper actively supports 114,000 tea producers and their families annually and has contributed more than £2 million to Fairtrade projects in the past five years.
Across the weekends in Fairtrade Fortnight, Clipper is also taking its dedicated Fairtrade Van to select Waitrose stores in order to share its Fairtrade message directly with shoppers.
Clipper will also collaborate with other pioneering Fairtrade brands such as Percol and White Stuff, in an Instagram competition to win a bundle of Fairtrade products.
Bryan Martins, marketing director at Wessanen UK, said: “Consumers are spending more and more time online and are increasingly interested in traceability and ethical sourcing. The influencers we’re working with are passionate about sustainability and are keen to help us educate and raise awareness on the amazing difference that can be made by choosing ethical and sustainable tea.
“We have found our consumers are genuinely interested in the positive impact that such a seemingly small shopping decision is making to the planet. It’s that added feel-good element that allows individuals to make smarter purchasing decisions. The Clipper Van allows us to access our customers face-to-face and share the good they’re doing over a nice, warm, Fairtrade brew also.”
As well as ethical sourcing, Clipper is also committed to minimising its impact on the environment through organic and sustainable materials. The brand launched the world’s first plant-based, unbleached and non-GM tea bag; Clipper’s tea bag envelopes are fully recyclable and the string on its string and tag tea bags is organic.