The FIG Tree (Garstang) CIC is a social enterprise
What does this mean?
All our profits are dedicated to increasing incomes for Fairtrade cocoa farmers and their families and spreading the word about fair trade to communities in the UK
All our suppliers in Ghana are small or micro businesses owned by Ghanaians from the local area
Our chocolate is made using beans grown by a named farmer - this year that's Frederick!
What's the big picture?
Did you know most cocoa farmers and their children have never tasted chocolate?
We don't think this is fair, so we're supporting cocoa farmers to use the beans they grow to make their own delicious chocolate and other products to sell locally
We're also spreading the word in the UK through our chocolate making workshops and talks to community groups
Ghana is a beautiful country with plenty to offer. But systemic issues mean the people historically haven't been able to share in the wealth their country creates.
Over a million people visited Ghana in 2023 so with your help we're building a tourist cafe to complement our accommodation offer at the Co-operative House.
Meet the team
The FIG Tree was founded in Garstang, the world's first Fair Trade Town, in 2011 by Bruce Crowther to promote Fair Trade and support the International Fair Trade Towns movement.
Along with teacher Graham Hulme, Bruce has conducted assemblies and chocolate making workshops across the UK and beyond.
In October 2024 Joanna and Samuel Fianu joined the team and now manage the project in Ghana as well as also leading workshops in the UK
Joanna Abena Fianu
Customer Co-ordinator
I have over fifteen years' experience as a fair trade campaigner and seventeen years running a fair trade retail business. I served on the Board of BAFTS Fair Trade Network UK for 6 years and as Co-ordinator for Fairtrade Yorkshire I led the campaign to Keep KitKat Fairtrade. As Chair of the National Campaigner Committee in summer 2022 I walked the Fair Trade Ways 91 miles from Garstang to Keswick and 50 miles around Bradford to raise funds for an educational project in Ghana - Chocolate Has A Name. I am currently Chair of Fairtrade Lancashire.
I am passionate about supporting grassroots fair trade campaigners to advocate in their communities for trade justice and to increase the links between farmers and workers and campaigners and supporters
Samuel Fianu
Project Manager
I have been involved in fair trade ever since I met Bruce Crowther - father of the fair trade towns movement and my surrogate Dad - in Ghana when I was just ten years old. When I was 15 he brought me to the UK to visit Garstang and I met fair trade campaigners.
I trained as a teacher but in recent years I have found my calling as a tour guide and driver, helping tourists discover and explore Ghana. With Nana Bruce and others I have visited the co-operative house at New Koforidua many times and feel it is a fantastic resource for the local and global fair trade community.
I am passionate about supporting cocoa farmers and others in rural Ghana to increase their income through tourism.
Bruce Crowther​​​
Founder & Executive Director
Originally a vet by profession, Bruce began campaigning for Oxfam in 1984. He formed the Garstang Oxfam Group in 1992 and was Chair until 2002. The Oxfam Group was instrumental in making Garstang the worlds’ first Fair Trade Town in April 2000. Bruce helped to develop the community link with New Koforidua, Ghana, where he has been made a sub chief for the village.
Bruce has inspired and supported the development of Fair Trade Towns in the UK and internationally and helped set up the Fair Trade Way six day walk connecting Fairtrade Towns between Garstang and Keswick. In April 2011 he ceased working as a vet to set up The FIG Tree in Garstang.
In 2007 Bruce was included in the former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s book ‘Everyday Heroes’, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of ordinary people and in 2009 was awarded the MBE for services to Fairtrade and Oxfam. In 2021 he self-published his book entitled ‘Not in My Lifetime – A Fair trade Campaigner’s Journal’ telling the story of Fair Trade Towns through his own life story.