Whitchurch retains Fairtrade status

Huge congratulations to the Whitchurch Fairtrade Group on retaining Fairtrade status for our town.

Whitchurch has successfully renewed its Fairtrade Town status for the next two years, following its ongoing commitment to promoting Fairtrade principles in the area.

The Whitchurch Fairtrade Town Group revealed its plans to promote Fairtrade to more community groups and businesses in the area by taking part in campaigns, including the nationwide Fairtrade Fortnight at the end of February.  In 2017 Fairtrade Fortnight will be from 27th February until 12th March promoting “Time to put Fairtrade in your break”.  The local Group will be promoting Fairtrade products to businesses and encouraging staff to use Fairtrade tea, coffee, hot chocolate and snacks, as part of their worktime breaks.  The Group are planning to work in partnership with Whitchurch Chamber of Trade to do this.

Whitchurch Fairtrade Town Group will also be having stalls at the Christmas Lights Switch-on and Party in the Park, as well as other smaller events around the town.  Please come along and have a cuppa with us to find out more about Fairtrade.

Whitchurch was first awarded the Fairtrade status in 2010 in recognition of the strong support for Fairtrade within the town and the achievement of five qualifying goals, such as a wide availability of Fairtrade products in local shops and catering outlets, high levels of support from local people, businesses, the council, faith groups and schools.

Spokesperson for the Fairtrade Group, Judy Bellingham said  “We are so proud to achieve Fairtrade status for Whitchurch once again.  Thank you to all the volunteers and people who support Fairtrade locally.  The larger supermarkets in the town support our work and we will continue to work with them and all the other businesses who sell Fairtrade products and produce.”

Adam Gardner, Communities Campaigns Manager at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “We’re so pleased that Whitchurch has renewed their Fairtrade status and laid out clear exciting goals to take Fairtrade further.”

“Thanks to the ongoing support of the public and campaigners, an increasing number of farmers in developing countries are now selling their products on Fairtrade terms, bringing them a stable income, and the chance to trade their way out of poverty.”

Fairtrade helps small-scale farmers ensure they earn stable incomes and have long-term contracts with companies. In addition, they earn the Fairtrade Premium, which they invest as the farmer-owned co-operative democratically chooses, in projects that will benefit their business or community.

The FAIRTRADE Mark independently certifies that products meet economic, social and environmental standards. As such, it is the most widely recognised ethical mark worldwide.

For more information about the FAIRTRADE Mark and how to apply for Fairtrade status, visit http://www.fairtrade.org.uk.  If you would like to find out more about the Whitchurch Fairtrade Group please visit http://www.whitchurch.info/fairtrade-town/.

To get involved in the Whitchurch Fairtrade campaign please email Whitchurch Fairtrade Group at fairtradewhitchurch@gmail.com.

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