Local Fair Trade Initiatives in Hong Kong (Solidarity MIHK - Made In HK)

Project Team

Leader: Joanne Choi (AIRI Fellow)

Member: Anthony Chiu

Background and Introduction

While there is a growing concern on food security and a higher demand for sustainable and short food chain, local small farmers and producers often lack market access and acknowledgement of their produce. Many small farmers find it difficult to sustain economically in rural revitalisation activities. The project “Local Fair Trade Initiatives in Hong Kong (Solidarity MIHK - Made In HK)” aims to develop criteria and a solidarity platform for local fair trade in Hong Kong, incorporating fair trade values into the local food chain. It seeks to increase transparency and accessibility of local produce, differentiate it from unsustainable production methods, and improve market access and value for small farmers and producers.

The project draws on the experience of Fair Trade principles and expands their application to include both Asian developing countries and local produce in Hong Kong. By supporting mission-driven social enterprises and small producers, the project aims to achieve fair and sustainable income for rural revitalisation and promote a sustainable and fair food system in Hong Kong.

Project Site

The project collaborates with small farmers and producers in Hong Kong, where possible, to include raw materials from fair trade farmers in the Global South (developing countries), to improve the socio-economic situation of the small and marginalized producers both in Hong Kong and in Asia developing countries.

Proposed Project Actions and Deliverables

• Define and differentiate local Fair Trade: Connect and apply Fair Trade values, ensure fairness along the supply chain, set criteria and definition, and organise public education and promotion campaign.
• Identify and support small farmers: Build up and strengthen solidarity economy network, recruit a team of Solidarity MIHK AGENT (agent of change), provide training and support for data collection, promote farmer story and values, and organise farm tour and workshops.
• Enhance promotion, marketing and education: Educate public the true cost of food, develop food education series on Solidarity MIHK platform, promote fairness and justice along the food chain, organise farm tour and workshops, increase access to information for valued customer, develop social economy model where Solidarity MIHK AGENT can use the “hours時分” they involved to redeem for Solidarity MIHK products, strengthen customer support small farmer network, and build loyalty and supportive customer group.
• Long term relationship to support small farmer to rehabilitate farmland: Develop local fair trade product under Solidarity REGROW brand, conduct market research to develop product of local species, and educate consumer the beauty of biodiversity and impact of abandoned farmland.