This year marks the first annual Fairtrade Awards: an initiative shining a light on Australian companies (and individuals) who are actively taking steps to support farmers and their communities in developing countries. Australians voted for their favourite Certified Fairtrade products, with Qi Detox Tea winning the national product category and Etiko’s hitop sneakers taking out Fairtrade Product of the year. Interestingly, supermarket chain Coles won the Fairtrade Retail Chain category, for – among other initiatives – expanding its Fairtrade commitment on a range of products. In fact, around 20% of all Fairtrade Certified products purchased in 2012 were from a Coles store. In addition to recognising and supporting good practice, the awards also help to raise awareness of Fairtrade Certified Products and how they can make a real and genuine difference to the lives of farmers around the world.