Fair trade, ethical food support grows

Posted - February 1, 2010

Fair trade, ethical food support grows

By Warren Beaumont

Nearly a third or 30 percent of UK shoppers say they have specifically purchased locally produced food over the last month, double the number in 2006, according to new consumer research just released by UK-based food and grocery analysts IGD.

Support for ethically produced foods in general has withstood the pressures of an 18-month recession and is in fact growing, despite the tough economic conditions. When asked about food they have specifically purchased over the last month, shoppers responded: 30 percent locally produced food (up from 15percent in 2006); 27 percent Fairtrade products (up from 9 percent); 18 percent products with high animal welfare standards (up from 11percent).

Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive, IGD, said: “These figures prove what we have been saying throughout the recession