Charity has child workers deliver food to people's doors to show impact of ‘feeding exploitation'

'We can make a conscious choice to be part of the solution'

A new campaign shows when it comes to buying high-quality food on the cheap, further down the production chain someone is paying for it.

The video from the Fairtrade Foundation has been released to encourage customers to think before they buy.

Child workers are seen delivering fruit and veg to people’s doors to show their reaction when buyers realise what they’re supporting with their money.

“Why are there children here?” one person reacts as they bring out the fruit and veg boxes.

“You can’t have kids carrying heavy boxes,” says another. “If I’d have known about this I wouldn’t have ordered.”

Customers are then told that although the setup isn’t real, the problems caused by unfairly sourced high-street products are.

Farmers in countries such as Malawi, Kenya and Ivory Coast all contribute to produce that is sold in the UK, but surveys show many of them, including children, are still living in poverty.

Cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast live on less than 40p a day, while one in 10 children in tea-growing regions of Malawi die before their fifth birthday.

The Fairtrade Foundation’s overall message is that people in the UK can help put an end to these workers getting an ‘unfair deal’ by contributing to brands that they can trust.

“When we reach for our everyday food, we may be unconsciously feeding exploitation,” says Jonathan Smith, head of campaigns at the organisation.

“We become part of the problem. But we can make a conscious choice to be part of the solution.

“Farmers get a better deal when they sell their crops on Fairtrade terms. Through Fairtrade, farmers can invest in better farming practice, earn more money for their crops, and make sure their children are fed and can go to school. Communities can also invest in clean water and clinics, improving everyone’s health."