8 - Fairtrade Food Label

In this lesson the class designs a new label for Geobar.

N.B. Links to 'A Healthy Fairtrade Diet” activity (Quinoa lesson 7)

Curriculum Links
This lesson plan links to Curriculum aims and programmes of study in Science and to non-statutory programmes of study in Citizenship and PSHE.

Learning Objectives
To understand food labels and decide whether they gives enough information about Fairtrade.

Learning Outcome
Children have designed a new label for Geobar including extra information to encourage shoppers to buy Fairtrade.

Resources Needed
A non Fairtrade food label.

Download documents:

photos of the food label on the back

producer stories from Apicoop

producer stories from EAC

producer stories from Kasinthula

producer stories from Agrocel

producer stories from MIFruta

Starter
In pairs or groups pupils look at the food label on the back of a Geobar. They make a list of the information which needs to be included on a food label:

Ingredients

Nutritional information: energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat

If it contains anything which consumers may be allergic to

If it’s suitable for vegetarians

Weight

Best before date

If wrapping is recyclable.

Main Activity
Discuss with the class why consumers need to know all of this information. How do we know if a product is healthy or not? What are carbohydrates, protein and fats used for?
• Carbohydrates are needed for energy.
• Protein helps your body grow and repair itself.
• Fats provide energy plus insulation for the body.
Ask the class what’s different between the label of a Fairtrade product and a non-Fairtrade product. (Fairtrade ingredients are in a bold typeface with a star). Is there enough information about Fairtrade?

Challenge pupils to design a new label for a Geobar which contains all the necessary information, the Fairtrade and Traidcraft marks, as well as some more information about Fairtrade to encourage more people to buy the product.

Ideas could include:
- Facts about the ways Fairtrade helps communities
- A picture of one of the producers
Look at some of the producer stories for real-life ideas.

Plenary
Sit in a circle and pass around a Fairtrade item. Only the person holding that item can contribute to the discussion at that time. They then choose who to pass it onto. Instigate a discussion on the benefits of Fairtrade. Why is it important?

8 - Fairtrade Food Label

Other Key Stage 2 Resources