Paying farmers a fair price
Ben & Jerry's is working with the UK's Fairtrade Foundation to source Fairtrade vanilla and sugar to use in its Classic Vanilla flavour ice cream. Ben & Jerry's is paying vanilla farmers in India and sugar farmers in Paraguay a guaranteed minimum price and social premium that they can use to improve their standard of living or invest in their communities.
Fairtrade certification is carried out by the Fairtrade Foundation. Farmers are inspected against internationally agreed standards covering economic, social and environmental criteria. Ice cream tubs containing Fairtrade vanilla and sugar carry the Fairtrade logo which assures consumers that farmers are receiving a fair price for their produce.
Ben & Jerry's co-founder, Jerry Greenfield, said: "It's important for us to be consistent with our values and take the initiative on issues like this." Fairtrade Foundation director, Harriet Lamb, said: "We are delighted that shoppers can now get their first taste of an ice cream made with Fairtrade sugar and vanilla."
Ben & Jerry's is committed to use more ethically sourced ingredients across its range in 2007.
