Age group: Any - needs at least 10 people

How long it will take: 30 minutes

What materials you will need: Bunch of bananas; name labels for groups; flip chart sheets and pens.

The aim of the activity: To explore the benefits of fair trade

What to do:
This updated version of the banana game shows the benefits of fair trade very clearly.

Divide the group into five smaller groups of equal numbers, and name each group — 'supermarket', 'importing company', 'exporting company', 'farm owner', 'workers/growers'.

Hold up a large bunch of bananas. Explain that they cost £1.00 in the supermarket.

Ask each group to decide how much of the £1.00 they should have. They will need to consider what costs they might have.

Put up a large picture of a bunch of bananas marked £1.00.

Allow five minutes for discussion, then get each group to present its case. If the total comes to over £1.00 get them to re-negotiate.

Then reveal the actual situation for most bananas bought in the supermarket. (It’s easier to have these costs written up in advance, either on individual cards or one sheet.)

• How do the workers/growers feel?
• Could there be a fairer division?

Compare the division with that of fair trade bananas, which are relatively new to the UK. (Again, have the prices written up or on cards, so that a direct comparison can be made.)

Ask….
What do you notice about the cuts, and the final price?
Should we be prepared to pay more for a fair trade banana?

You will find more about Fairtrade Marked bananas on the Fairtrade Foundation website.

*This activity comes from the Traidcraft website.