Sydney Fairtrade Fortnight

Every year throughout May, the focus across Australia and New Zealand turns to equality for workers throughout the world during Fairtrade Fortnight.

What is fair trade, you may ask? Fair Trade is a means for consumers to purchase produce and products from overseas with an assurance the producers and workers are receiving a fair income and percentage of the profits.

The Fair Trade Association describes it as such: "Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair Trade organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade."

Fairtrade coffee is a practical, everyday way to help eradicate poverty. Most of the world's coffee is produced by small scale farmers in developing countries. The additional price - or Fairtrade premium - they receive when we buy Fairtrade coffee can mean the difference between having three meals a day or just one, being able to send kids to school, or being able to access health and other social services.

Oxfam Australia and the Fair Trade Association encourage you to hold a "Coffee Break" during Fairtrade Fortnight (2 - 17 May). It's as simple as organising a Fairtrade morning or afternoon tea in your workplace, community, school or home.

Visit the website via the link above to register and they'll provide you with lots of resources including a short DVD about Fairtrade coffee, posters, fliers, postcards and tea and coffee samples. They will also be selling Fairtrade t-shirts at half price ($15) when you register your Coffee Break. All you need to do is invite your colleagues and friends.

Main events in Sydney, Australia include:

• Fairtrade Coffee Break (2 - 17 May)
  
• Fair Trade Fiesta, Paddington (7 May)
  

In a time where economic divides are widening, it's more important than ever to buy with a conscience to ensure workers abroad earning a minimum wage aren't disadvantaged while Western corporations sell their wares for a 1000% markup. Fairtrade Fortnight is the perfect opportunity to support those businesses supporting global communities.

Keep checking OnlySydney for our increasing list of Fair Trade Sydney Coffee shops & Cafes.

Consumer-Decides: restaurants asking you what you're willing to pay

Sydney restaurants have seen a decline in customers recently as many of us tighten our belts and try to brave the current economic uncertainty. There are, however, some restaurants with their finger on the pulse regarding what their clientele are looking for most right now: a cheap night out.

Sobo on Bondi Beach is one such restaurant. To draw in a crowd and keep bums in seats, restaurateur Adam Gerondis has devised the perfect menu along with the perfect asking price: the Sobo Credit Crunch Menu, where you pay what you feel.

While Sobo offers this deal until 9 April, such negotiable pricing systems could signify an emerging trend in business, with other restaurants and businesses doing likewise.

In February, London restaurant The Little Bay offered their customers the same flexibility to pay what they felt their meal was worth, while in Melbourne the vegetarian organic restaurant Lentil as Anything has been offering this same consumer-decides system since 2000. While a not-for-profit community organisation largely staffed by volunteers, Lentil as Anything is gaining in popularity, with its two restaurants always busy, and also operates the same service to Collingwood College canteen.

The customer-decides model has even extended as far as hotels, with budget hotel chain Ibis in Singapore also offering guests the opportunity to set the price of their stay in February.

And it makes sense, given that we as consumers are less likely to part with our money without a great deal or a sense of loyalty involved. To my mind, the customer-decides model ticks both of these boxes, whilst also ensuring greater quality of product and service, given that their payment in dependent on our overall contentment at the end. It's a model I'd be willing to pay good money to which hopefully more Sydney restaurants and businesses will adopt.