Be kinder to our world

By choosing to buy organic and fairly traded products, you can help to protect the planet and ensure that workers all over the world are paid a fair price.

Organic? Fairtrade? What does it all mean?

Organic

The term organic refers to crops that have been grown without the use of synthetic chemicals (including fertilizer and pesticides) or genetically modified organisms. It should also have been grown on farmland that's been free of chemicals for a number of years. If you see the word organic on any fabric products, food or seeds for your garden then these are the standards they will have had to meet.

Fairtrade

Where you see the Fairtrade mark on products, it means that it's met standards set by Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO), agreed in consultation with producers, traders and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) among others. The aim of Fairtrade is to ensure that disadvantaged farmers and workers in developing countries get a better deal. It's also worth checking to see if manufacturers you're buying from are part of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI). The companies taking part in the ETI are committed to ethical trade, which involves setting out minimum labour conditions and standards expected of suppliers.

Why is it important?

When you choose an organic or fairly traded product, your actions have a massive impact on our world. You're helping to keep our soils and rivers healthy, helping to stop the exploitation of workers in other countries, encouraging sustainable practices and protecting the environment. You might find that buying these products costs more. But, when you consider the impact, those choices could have, it's a price worth paying.

Grow your own

Get those wellies on and get outside! Growing your own fruit and veg can be a really enjoyable way to reduce your carbon footprint, save money and have a bit of fun too.

Why home grown?

Growing food at home or on an allotment is a fun way to save money and get the whole family outdoors. Kids will love getting stuck into a bit of digging and watching things grow. And you'll notice the difference too, as you save money by buying less at the supermarket.

It's also a fantastic way to shrink your carbon footprint. Your food won't have to travel anywhere so there'll be no more food miles, and your fresh fruit and veg won't come wrapped up in packaging that's harmful to the environment either.

Get started with a veg patch

You don't need to be a green-fingered genius to start growing your own. Just follow these simple steps:

• Clear an area of your garden, or get hold of some gro-bags, containers or even a window box.
• Get your soil in shape by adding some compost. See the composting part of this guide to find out how to make your own.
• Choose your plants carefully - checking what's best to plant depending on the time of year.
• Make sure you water your plot regularly - if you want to give your vegetable patch a little helping hand, you might also want to add a little organic fertilizer. This is to help your fruit and veg get off to the best possible start.