A range of leading Australian businesses have announced Big Swaps to fair trade products as part of Fair Trade Fortnight (1-16 May) – Australia’s biggest annual celebration of the life-changing difference fair trade makes for millions of developing country farmers, their families and communities.

As part of the Fortnight’s launch in Sydney last Friday (30 April), two of Australia’s leading national law firms, Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Allens Arthur Robinson, were awarded Fair Trade Workplace status for committing to source Fairtrade Certified hot beverages across all of their offices.

Leading supermarket chain Coles announced that a range of its new private label Fairtrade Certified coffee and tea products would soon hit shelves across the country.

Meanwhile Wild Bean Café committed to launch Fairtrade Certified hot chocolate nationally later in 2010.

Steve Knapp, Executive Director of the Fair Trade Association Australia & New Zealand (FTAANZ) said Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Allens Arthur Robinson were the first national law firms to make such strong, company-wide commitments aimed at empowering developing country farmers and their communities.

“Recognition as a Fair Trade Workplace will enable both firms to communicate to staff and clients the kind of values they wish to incorporate into their business and workplace,” he said.

Fairtrade Certified products will now be served throughout the meeting rooms, tea rooms and cafeterias of both firms.

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