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What is Fairtrade? Fairtrade Fortnight Linlithgow Fairtade Livingston Fairtrade Whitburn Fairtrade Uphall Fairtrade Get Involved Fairtrade Products Local Wholesale Suppliers The Fairtrade Foundation What is Fairtrade? The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label that you can find on over 2000 products. This mark acts as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a fair deal for their produce. In order for any product to display the FAIRTRADE Mark, it must meet high international Fairtrade standards. Often people think that Fairtrade products are mainly just tea and coffee. Nowadays this is far from reality with cotton, flowers, beer and footballs amongst the numerous Fairtrade products on offer. Producer organisations that supply Fairtrade products are inspected and certified by Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (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 initiatives. These give people a chance to better their own living and working conditions. The Fairtrade movement came from a growing recognition by development agencies that consumers could improve the situation for producers. Fairtrade Fortnight Fairtrade Fortnight is an annual event, held at the beginning of March. It strives to further promote the FAIRTRADE Mark, and Fairtrade products. This year, as well as hosting their own group activities during this fortnight, all four West Lothian Fairtrade groups also came together with the West Lothian Youth Theatre, to stage an inspiring drama. The performance highlighted some of the issues facing third world countries who are not getting a fair deal, and how Fairtrade can improve the lives of farmers, estate workers and their families. Get Involved What can you do individually? Everyone can make a difference through Fairtrade, by: - Asking local shops to stock Fairtrade products.
- Asking for Fairtrade tea and coffee every time you are in your local café/restaurant.
- Encouraging the company you work for to use Fairtrade tea and coffee. www.fairtradeatwork.org.uk
- Expand your shopping list of Fairtrade goods to include bananas, chocolate, sugar, honey, dried fruit, snacks, juice, wine and gifts.
What can you do collectively? There are many ways you can become involved with Fairtrade to take wider action. You can work towards having a Fairtrade Church, school, workplace, shop, restaurant or university. For example, a Fairtrade Church must meet 3 simple goals: - Use Fairtrade tea and coffee for all meetings for which you have responsibility.
- Move forward on using other Fairtrade products (such as sugar, biscuits, fruit)
- Promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight - and through other activities whenever possible.
On a grander scale, the number of Fairtrade Towns now stands at well over two hundred; so make sure your town is involved! Become a Fairtrade Town To become a Fairtrade town or village a community has to achieve five goals: - The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens
- A local Fairtrade steering group must be convened to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Town status
- A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in some of your area?s shops and served in local cafés and catering establishments
- Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local work places (estate agents, hairdressers etc) and community organisations (churches, schools etc)
- The steering group must attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign.
Once this has been achieved, the group is ready to apply for town status. To find out more about Fairtrade Towns please click here. If you are interested in Fairtrade in general and would like to find out more then please go to www.fairtrade.org.uk. Fairtrade Products There are over 2000 Fairtrade certified products available in the UK. These include: Bananas Citrus Coffee Cotton Tea Mangoes Sugar Fruit juice Honey Snacks Chocolate and cocoa Roses Sports balls Wines and beers For more information click here. For workplaces, cafes and shops, there are loads of suppliers in and around West Lothian, so you should never have difficulty in sourcing Fairtrade goods. Please see the list below. Local Wholesale Suppliers Coffee Express Matthew Algie Discount Coffee Myrtle Coffee Equal Exchange Scottish Beverages Services Fayre Trade Ltd Tapside Marketing Friarwood Ltd Total Beverage Solutions
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