M&S was one of Fairtrade’s earliest supporters and it continues to be a leading retail partner with the Fairtrade Foundation. In 2006, M&S became the first retailer to convert all its tea and coffee to Fairtrade, having already switched all coffee sold in its cafes across the country. Since then, M&S has demonstrated commitments across a number of other categories such as sugar, flowers, wine, chocolate, bananas and jams. It is commitments such as these that drive such significant and positive change for the Fairtrade growers around the world, from Chile to South Africa, from Kenya to Peru, like Esperanza Dionisio, CEO of Pangoa, one of M&S’s Fairtrade certified coffee suppliers.
M&S only sources the best-tasting, quality tea and coffee from growers and cooperatives around the world and works to ensure they are produced to high environmental and social standards. This is why 100% of M&S tea and coffee is Fairtrade certified. M&S sell more own-label Fairtrade tea and coffee than any other UK retailer. In 2021, M&S suppliers received more than £1.2 million in Fairtrade Premium, funding projects such as housing, clean water, education and tree planting.
In Guernsey, M&S is a longtime supporter of the Fairtrade Guernsey Steering Group, donating prizes for the annual quiz raffle and providing refreshments for Fairtrade Fortnight events.
