In 2006, we decided to source Fairtrade sugar. We figured that with it being such an important ingredient in our sweet making, we should know where it comes from and how it is produced.
We now source our sugar from the Kasinthula Cane Growers in Malawi – one of the poorest countries in the world. Last year the Fairtrade social premiums they received from sales of Burnt Sugar paid for one of three boreholes to be dug – providing clean drinking water (reducing water borne disease) – as well as preventing crocodile attacks on the women as they collected water from the river (it’s the women’s job to collect water).
As well as receiving a guaranteed fair price for their sugar, the farmers also directly receive a set premium per ton of sugar, which is to be used for social projects like building a clinic or school, for example.
For more info about Fairtrade – see www.fairtrade.org.uk
“We were lucky enough to visit some local schools during our visit to Western Kenya, and I was struck by how few teaching resources were available” says Justine. “I believe education is the pathway out of poverty and wanted to do something to help address this problem on my return.”
At Burnt Sugar, we’ve often thought that the perfect occasion to eat our sweets is when you’re lost in a book – indulging in a very private delicious moment. But we’re also about sharing – so our sweets are also great for social occasions – like at a Book Club.
Can you see a theme developing here…?
When I got back to the UK, I discovered this amazing charity called ‘Book Aid International’ – see www.bookaid.org. They send books to the developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya. They’re involved in great projects like mobile libraries – where donkeys and camels carry books to remote areas where people wouldn’t normally have any access to books at all.
We want to support Book Aid International as much as we can and help spread their message.
Inevitably, making and selling our sweets has an impact on the environment – as with all companies. We’re still learning about how we can reduce any negative impact and putting this into practice.
We’ve made a few changes to our packaging, like changing from plastic to ‘easier to recycle’ card.
We are working with www.co2balance.com to help offset our carbon emissions. The money we pay them funds projects to re-address the balance. We have chosen to help fund an energy-efficient light-bulb project in Kenya.
