Maggie Forbes is our Fairtrade lady in Tidworth and does her very best to promote Fairtrade produce anywhere she goes. You cannot miss her she is the one with big yellow Fairtrade banana!  Listen to her on Castledown Radio.

The Fairtrade Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal. For a product to display the Fairtrade Mark it must meet international Fairtrade standards. These standards are set by the international certification body Fairtrade Labeling Organisations International (FLO).

Producer organisations that supply Fairtrade products are inspected and certified by FLO. They receive a minimum price that covers the cost of sustainable production and an extra premium that is invested in social or economic development projects.

Fairtrade Facts

Fairtrade was created in the late 80's in the Netherlands. 20 countries have their own governing body like our Fairtrade foundation. The Fairtrade foundation was established in 1992 by a number of different charities. The foundation is the UK licensing body for Fairtrade. The logo that can be found on Fairtrade products guarantees the producers a better deal for their produce. These are governed by the Fairtrade labeling organisation which sets international Fairtrade standards.

Fairtrade Towns

In May 2000 Garstang in Lancashire declared itself the world’s first Fairtrade town. It was decided that this was a good idea so 5 goals were set for towns that wanted to become Fairtrade town.
1. Local council are to pass a resolution to support Fairtrade and serve Fairtrade tea and coffee at meetings and in offices and canteens.
2. A range of products to be readily available in area shops, cafés and catering establishments [targets are set in relation to population.]
3. Products must be used in a number of local work places e.g. Estate agents, hairdressers and also in community organisations such as churches and schools.
4. The town must attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign.
5. A Fairtrade steering group must be convened to ensure continued support to Fairtrade status.

March 2007 saw the declaration of the 242nd Fairtrade town. There are 33 Fairtrade towns in the south east. Andover achieved Fairtrade town status on 22nd November 2006.

You can also apply to make your church a Fairtrade church. There are 3 goals to achieve this.
1. Use Fairtrade tea and coffee at all meetings.
2. Move forward on to other products such as sugar and biscuits.
3. Promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade fortnight and other activities.
Fairtrade fortnight this year 25th Feb-9th March.Fairtrade cotton was introduced into the UK market at the end of 2005.For more information about Fairtrade here are a couple of useful web sites:

www.fairtrade.org.uk

www.ethicalsuperstore.com

www.andoverfairtrade.co.uk