Guernsey Prison celebrated as a Fairtrade Supporter

Tuesday 30 September 2025

The Guernsey Prison is being awarded a 'We are a Fairtrade Supporter' plaque for making a switch to Fairtrade products for the first time.

The Fairtrade Guernsey Steering Group and the Overseas Aid & Development Commission, which is responsible for supporting and promoting the use of Fairtrade across the States, will award the plaque on Thursday.

Fairtrade Guernsey and the Commission approached the prison to ask for consideration to purchase Fairtrade goods where possible. This followed the increased use of Fairtrade products by the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in 2024.

Last year, the Committee for Health & Social Care undertook a review of annual spend, product utilisation, availability and pricing within the local supply market for Fairtrade goods. This review discovered that there had been a significant reduction in the pricing of Fairtrade products, which had resulted in pricing alignment between Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade products.

The Princess Elizabeth Hospital consequently switched to a supply of Fairtrade tea, single service coffee sticks and bananas, resulting in an annual increase of over 180,000 servings of Fairtrade products.

Guernsey Prison has now proactively switched to Fairtrade products for the first time for tea, coffee, sugar and bananas. It is estimated that this will result in an annual increase of around 500,000 servings of Fairtrade products within the prison.

John de Carteret, Prison Governor, said:

"Guernsey Prison fully endorses the value of Fairtrade in certifying that products have been produced in conditions which meet certain basic ethical standards and the positive impact this has on the world's poorest communities. I am very pleased therefore that we have been able to recently switch to a supply of Fairtrade tea, coffee, sugar and bananas.

"While accepting the benefits of sourcing Fairtrade products, as acknowledged in the States procurement policy, purchasing decisions need to weigh up several considerations and given the financial restraints across the States I am delighted that we have been able to support such an initiative with little or no additional cost to the taxpayer."

Deputy Strachan, President of Overseas Aid & Development Commission, said:

"With the purchases now being made by Guernsey Prison and the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, the total number of Fairtrade servings has increased by 680,000 per year. It has been estimated that between them, the Prison and the Hospital purchase 95% of all such refreshments used across the whole of the States of Guernsey. I am delighted to say that these are now all Fairtrade products.

"I would very much encourage businesses and the public to buy Fairtrade because, as an island, we can have an even greater positive impact on disadvantaged communities around the world."

Hannah Davis, Secretary of Fairtrade Guernsey, said:

"The Fairtrade Guernsey Steering Group would like to thank and congratulate Guernsey Prison for the choice it has made and for leading the way in regard to Fairtrade. Buying products with the Fairtrade mark ensures that farmers and workers in developing countries who produce those goods receive fair prices, decent working conditions, and a voice in their communities.

"Guernsey is a Fairtrade island, and the support of the Prison will help us to maintain this valuable status going forward."