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For the second year running, the amazing Fairtrade Woman (aka Rebecca Gowland) has been inspiring us to buy Fairtrade goodies by pledging to eat only Fairtrade food for the whole of Fairtrade Fortnight. It might not sound too bad having to eat chocolate day in and day out, but it's far from as easy. We had a chat with her to find out how her Fairtrade challenge has been going.
SmartPlanet: This is the second time you're Fairtrade Woman. What made you decide to eat only Fairtrade food for a fortnight in the first place?
Fairtrade Woman: It just seemed like a really fun thing to do and last year people had been talking a lot about Supersize Me and only eating Fairtrade for two weeks just seemed like the perfect antidote to this -- but under the same kind of premise. That was where the idea sprung from and it was really successful. People seemed to love it. I think people like a challenge that's difficult for a really good reason and that's why it's been so popular.
SP: Has it been easier or harder this year?
FW: There's a lot more Fairtrade food out there to choose from now, so in that respect it's been easier. This year I've also had lots and lots of support from shops, which have sent me their Fairtrade products, so in that sense it's been much better than last year. But personally it's probably been harder for me this year. I knew what was coming and I was a little apprehensive before I started. I knew how long two weeks can be without a lot of vegetables. The Fairtrade products are all amazing and there is a massive range, but it's still mostly sweet stuff.
SP: So what have you been eating?
FW: Most of my main meals have consisted of basmati rice, avocado and quinoa. I've got my own version of guacamole, which I've been eating a lot. I've seen on websites that there are Fairtrade green beans and peppers, but I haven't actually been able to find them in the shops. And then I've of course had lots and lots of desserts!
SP: It was your birthday yesterday (happy birthday!) -- what did you have to eat?
FW: Nothing very exciting, but that's mainly down to my laziness. I had a bowl of muesli with yoghurt and honey for breakfast, two cereal bars, rice cakes and avocado for lunch and -- shockingly -- I had a bowl of rice for my tea [laughs].
SP: Did you say you had some Fairtrade wine as well?
FW: Oh yes, I did. I actually had a really good night the other night. Two of my friends made two competing dishes for me -- there's a video of it on MySpace. The ingredients weren't 100 per cent Fairtrade, but I still tried them and judged them. One of them made a Fairtrade banana cake and the other one made Fairtrade poached pears in Fairtrade wine and we also had some Fairtrade ice cream and rice pudding, which was delicious. That was my favourite evening of the Fortnight.
SP: So you have been cheating a little bit?
FW: Well yes, if that's called cheating -- the flour in the banana cake obviously wasn't Fairtrade, but otherwise I have stuck to Fairtrade products. Last year not a single thing that wasn't Fairtrade passed my lips and that really was a challenge.
SP: That's still pretty good going. What have been the highlights of Fairtrade Fortnight for you?
FW: Seeing people getting involved! That was the main highlight last year as well. It's unbelievable how much people take it on themselves. This year there's been another couple of people who have taken on the full two-week challenge as well, so that's incredible. Also, getting comments from people who have taken our stockist cards to their local shops [the cards urge local shops to stock more Fairtrade products], is brilliant. This is all about spreading the word about Fairtrade and creating more demand for Fairtrade -- that really is the highlight for me -- and I honestly think that if I didn't have that interaction with people out there, who are doing these things as well, then it would be a really, really difficult two-week period. The great thing about doing this -- and about Fairtrade Fortnight -- is that it gives you a really deep understanding of the food you eat and how lucky we are and how we need to not take it for granted.
SP: You work for Oxfam -- have your colleagues been supportive?
FW: Yes, they've been amazing! A colleague in my team is also doing the challenge this year and he's done all the legwork of finding products. He'll probably do it next year as well, whereas I think this will be my last year.
SP: Oh that's a shame, but we completely understand you. What are you going to eat when the Fortnight is over?
FW: Last year I had a pizza, but I think I'll have bangers and mash or maybe a roast this year!
SP: Well, good luck with the last couple of days!
Fairtrade Woman with Fairtrade banana
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Head over to our My Planet section to win lovely ethical and green prizes. If you're a SmartPlanet member, entering a competition takes just two clicks.
