During a recent trip to Belize, OFM's Andrew Purvis saw the impact Fairtrade has had on the farmers who grow the cocoa used in Green & Black's Maya Gold. 'Of every dollar earned, 92 cents go back to the families, the highest return for any agricultural product. Now 70 per cent of the kids go on to further education.' There are over 1,500 Fairtrade items currently on sale in the UK, and the Co-op is the leading supporter of the label. Joanna Blythman, author of Bad Food Nation, is a firm believer in their commitment. 'In 2002, Co-op put its money where its mouth was when it converted all its own-label block chocolate to Fairtrade. In 2003, it did the same with all its own label coffee. Currently the Co-op is still the only British supermarket that has changed its entire own-label ranges to Fairtrade.'

Fairtrade is not the only option. One Water is the bottled brand to look out for says Blythman. 'Every last drop of profit from this water from the Radnor Hills in Wales goes to a South African charity endorsed by Nelson Mandela.' Andrew Rugasira, the founder of Good African Coffee secured the first ever-contract for an African producer to sell directly to a British supermarket - Waitrose. Although not Fairtrade-marked, Rugasira feels he's part of the same movement. New kid on the block Equitrade is behind Malagasy chocolate. 'While Fairtrade targets growers and passes financial benefits to them through co-operatives, equitable trade relies on private companies and governments to distribute 'added value' fairly. It is a capitalist system that lacks transparency but it can work well' says Andrew Purvis. Malagasy chocolate is available at Waitrose.

The dessert

Thandi Chardonnay

Thandi wines were the first to be Fairtrade certified. Disadvantaged South African farming communities receive a guaranteed price for their grapes.

One Water at the Co-Op

All of the profits are used to build 'Roundabout PlayPumps' in villages overseas, giving people access to clean water. Excess water is used for irrigation. So far 650 pumps have been installed.

Good African Coffee

Rwenzori Coffee Company in Uganda shares its profits with its 10,000 coffee growers. It also supports orphanages and schools.

Traidcraft organic raw cane sugar

The sugar cane is supplied to the Otisa Sugar Mill, Paraguay, by 80 farmers, who receive a fair-trade premium. This means they can afford to supply their families with running water..

CHOCaid

With every purchase of CHOCaid, money is donated to hunger relief projects. This new venture has so far raised £6,000 for schemes such as the Widowed Families Food Production in Ethiopia.

Ben & Jerry's Fairtrade Vanilla Ice Cream

Sugar cane growers from the Manduvirá co-op in Paraguay have used the Fairtrade premium to build an office block and clinic.

Co-Op Dark Chocolate

The Kuapa Kokoo farmers co-operative in Ghana benefit from a guaranteed Fairtrade price, plus an extra $150 per ton to invest in improving living standards.

Equal Exchange organic honey

Fairtrade provides an extra income for the families of 40 beekeepers in Nicaragua.