Fairtrade
Fairtrade in the Harrogate District
What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade guarantees a fair deal for developing world producers.
Fairtrade products are usually ones which are grown or made in some of the poorest parts of the world. You can buy Fairtrade tea, coffee, chocolate, bananas, sugar, wine, cotton and even footballs. A full list of
Fairtrade products is available from the Fairtrade Foundation.
By requiring companies to pay above market prices, fair trade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers.
The Fairtrade Mark is an independent consumer label, which is administered by the Fairtrade Foundation. Products can only carry the Fairtrade Mark if they meet strict criteria relating to better terms of trade and decent production conditions.
Look for this Mark on Fairtrade products:
Fairtrade supports the aim of
Agenda 21 because it is a way of encouraging sustainable development. Fairtrade producers can invest their profits into environmentally friendly processes and sustainable projects. Buying fair trade products is an excellent example of how taking local action, and making a small decision at home can have a positive effect on peoples' lives and the environment thousands of miles away.
There is a lot more information about fair trade on the
Fairtrade Foundation website.
Harrogate Borough Council: A Fairtrade Council
We have declared our support for the principles of fair trade and have become a Fairtrade Council.
We have agreed to:
"Support the aims of the Fairtrade Foundation to tackle poverty by enabling disadvantaged producers from poor countries to receive a better deal for their labours" (Harrogate Borough Council Notice of Motion, 7th December 2005)
This means we will take a lead on fair trade, by:
- Supporting the community-led campaign to get the whole district declared a Fairtrade Borough.
- Supporting Fairtrade in practical ways, for example by offering Fairtrade tea and coffee in meetings and implementing Fairtrade principles in our purchasing policies where possible.
- Helping to provide information and promote awareness about fair trade through the council's website.
Councillor Andrew Jones has been appointed as our Fairtrade Champion, to further the principles of Fairtrade within the council. You can contact him on 01423 526165.
What is happening in the Harrogate District?
Harrogate is a Fairtrade Borough.
In July 2006, the Fairtrade Foundation granted Harrogate District the status of "Fairtrade Borough".
This means that the following steps have been taken:
- The local council has passed a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and serves Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens.
- A range of Fairtrade products are readily available in the area's shops and are served in local cafés and catering establishments (targets are set in relation to population).
- Fairtrade products are used by a number of local work places (estate agents, hairdressers etc) and community organisations (churches, schools etc).
- The council attracts popular support for the campaign.
- A local Fairtrade steering group has been convened to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Town status.
The local Fairtrade Campaign is led by the Harrogate District Fairtrade Group
This group was set up by interested individuals and local organisations and it continues to promote Fairtrade across the district.
Visit the
Harrogate Fairtrade Campaign website to find out more.
Fairtrade Fortnight
Fairtrade Fortnight is an annual campaign (usually in March) to promote Fairtrade across the district, and encourage people to choose Fairtrade products.
Of course, Fairtrade products can be promoted at any time of the year, and promotional materials can be obtained from the Fairtrade Group, or from the national
Fairtrade Foundation.
Local Fairtrade suppliers
Local supplies of Fairtrade goods are currently available from a range of shops throughout the district.
Look out for the Fairtrade Mark when you are shopping.
The
Harrogate District Fairtrade Group has compiled a Fairtrade directory for the area.
Get involved!
There are several ways you can get involved in the Fairtrade campaign.
First of all, buy Fairtrade 
products. A wide variety of products like coffee, tea, chocolate, fruit and wine are available in many shops throughout the district.
Schools and other organisations like churches and social clubs can support the campaign by running events and holding Fairtrade sales.
If you know of other shops which stock Fairtrade goods, let the Fairtrade Group know, and they can be added to the Fairtrade directory.
Find out more about the Harrogate District Fairtrade Group, visit
www.harrogatefairtrade.co.uk and see if you can get involved.