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UK-based ethical brewer Brewgooder has introduced the ‘world’s first’ Fairtrade-certified brewing supply chain for climate-resilient fonio grain.
According to the brewer, the grain has the potential to put farming communities in West Africa on a level footing with other nations. Fonio is a ‘super grain’ native to West Africa that is quick to harvest, doesn’t require fertilisers, and uses much less water to grow than barley, meaning it can thrive in less fertile soils prominent in countries in West Africa.
The supply chain took six months to set up and was built between Brewgooder and fonio farming cooperatives in Guinea, West Africa. Brewgooder expects the supply chain to ensure that farmers are paid a fairer price for their work and grain, while fostering sustainable and fair economic growth for the nearby communities.
According to local cooperatives, 67 farmers have already signed up for the initiative – depending on the growth and success of the supply chain, Brewgooder hopes that, in the future, hundreds of farmers and the communities that surround them could benefit.
Brewgooder has made the new supply chain accessible to all. Named ‘Open Grain’, any UK brewer or business looking to utilise fonio will be able to tap into the Fairtrade-certified supply of the grain to maximise the positive impact made in Guinea and potentially beyond.
At the same time, the Glasgow, Scotland-based brewer has launched the ‘first’ beer made with Fairtrade-certified fonio grain, Brewgooder Fonio Session IPA, which has been backed from launch by British supermarkets Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and the Co-op. It is also available on British Airways airlines.
The beer has been designed to accelerate the growth of the Fairtrade category in the UK beer market amid rising consumer demand for ethical products. It is described as a ‘delicious, crisp and hoppy’ Session IPA, with an ABV of 4.3%.
Alan Mahon, founder at Brewgooder, said: “Alone we can make a small but meaningful difference, but as an entire industry – even if only adopting Fairtrade fonio in small amounts – we can support farmers in Guinea make a game-changing impact on these communities while simultaneously bringing quality and desirable products to market. Enabling other beer producers to use our supply chain makes that possible. We’re not adopting Fairtrade fonio to give ourselves a USP, but to show what can be achieved when you collaborate with farming communities for a fairer deal.”
Mahon continued: “We faced almost impossible odds in bringing this supply chain together in just six months, but we achieved it through the incredible effort, commitment and drive of our farming and logistics partners. It demonstrates that a vision for a fairer, more equitable world can make seemingly impossible things happen. Fairtrade fonio can support communities in Guinea to thrive. It means fairer practices and a fairer deal for farmers, and Brewgooder is delighted to work together with the Fairtrade Foundation and our retailers and commercial partners to bring these principles to a new category.”
“There’s a huge appetite for Fairtrade products in the UK, and it's absent in the beer category at present. People care about fair and just trade, and if they can achieve it through the products they buy, then they will make that choice.”
Jourdan Gabbini, Waitrose beer and cider buyer, commented: "We're really excited about launching the Fairtrade Certified Fonio Session IPA. It's a first-to-market, and we know just how important Fairtrade is to our customers. We're really proud to be working with a brand that is focused on doing good and making a difference in the communities around them, while also offering a really fantastic-tasting beer.
Maimouna Diallo, coordinator in the Guinea farming cooperative described the collaboration as “a testament to the power of socially responsible business practices in creating lasting impact and fostering equitable growth”.
She continued: “We look forward to a fruitful partnership that benefits not only our farmers but also the wider community and the environment. A true circular exchange between Africa and the UK – a win-win situation.”
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