Juice deal means suppliers aren’t squeezed

by menmedia.co.uk - 17/03/2011

"Founded with a loan from a local Catholic priest, JP Juices is now one of the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of Fairtrade drinks"

Based in Chadderton, the family business benefits farmers in Cuba, Brazil and South Africa who grow the apples and oranges for its range of drinks.

Tim Kearns, who has been in the food industry for 20 years, founded JP Juices five years ago with wife Yvette.

He supplies small independent shops as well as convenience stores run by chains including Spar and The Co-op. The firm's 100 per cent pure fruit juices are also sold to schools and universities across the UK as well as leisure centres and clubs.

Tim said: "We are committed to giving our farmers in Cuba, South Africa and Brazil a fair deal, and our position as an ethical fruit juice company ensures suppliers get an honest wage for their work while in the UK we're committed to giving people, especially children, a healthy choice for a drink."

Tim has taken a conscious decision not to supply large supermarket chains.

"Supermarkets control a lot of the food industry and we wanted to work with other retailers; there are plenty of shops around that want our products. The Co-op was different because of their ethical stance."

Tim has also seen first hand how Fairtrade product are benefiting farmers. Two years ago, he went to visit a farm in South Africa.

"It was an amazing experience – they were able to show me what they were using their profits for. It wasn't to buy fancy clothes or a new car, but for a water purification project.

"It's really good to see how these partnerships have had a positive effect on the living and working conditions for dozens of communities across the globe."

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