Fairtrade Introduction
Fairtrade is a growing movement that gives farmers in developing countries a better price for their products. More than 5 million farmers, workers and their families across 49 developing countries benefit from the Fairtrade system.
Many Fairtrade products are available in shops, from Fairtrade bananas to Fairtrade footballs. Buying Fairtrade allows consumers concerned with whether producers are getting a fair price for their products to choose products that meet international Fairtrade standards. Part of the price of a product carrying the Fairtrade logo is set aside for farmers and farm workers to spend on social and environmental projects, and the stable price offered for their products allows them to plan for their future.
The Fairtrade mark appears on products that gurantee a better deal for disadvantaged producers.
Fairtrade Towns
The Fairtrade Foundation runs a programme allowing communities to achieve Fairtrade Town, City or Zone status. In Aberdeenshire, Ellon achieved Fairtrade Town status in October 2006.
Ellon Fairtrade Town Steering Group
In November 2005 representatives of the local community, including local schools, churches, the Ellon Rotary Club, Ellon Business Traders Association, Traidcraft and the Council met to discuss the possibility of Ellon becoming a Fairtrade Town. Those present decided that the Ellon Fairtrade Towns Steering Group should be formed.
The Ellon Fairtrade Town Steering Group promote the concept of Fairtrade within Ellon and aim to increase the availability of Fairtrade in local shops, businesses, schools and churches. Special events are held to promote Fairtrade and regular meetings take place at Ellon's Kirk Centre to discuss progress toward Fairtrade Town status.
If you would like to get involved with Ellon Fairtrade Towns Steering Group contact green.living@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Fairtrade in Ellon
Ellon Fairtrade Town Steering Group are involved in research into the availability of Fairtrade in Ellon. The results have shown that already Fairtrade products are available in Ellon, but more shops and cafes will need to stock Fairtrade products for Ellon to become a Fairtrade Town. The Group will work to promote Fairtrade to more shops and businesses over the coming months.
A range of Fairtrade products can be purchased at the Costcutter and Somerfield supermarkets in Ellon. Fairtrade products are also sold at the Kirk Centre Cafe. Ellon Baptist Church, the Church of Scotland, the Episcopal Church, and the Catholic Church all run Fairtrade stalls after their weekly services, and Ellon Academy is already a Fairtrade School.
The Group have also carried out a survey of local business to discover the extent to which fairtrade products such as tea and coffee are used by local employers. The Ellon Fairtrade Town Steering Group is happy to provide information to help businesses and other employers source Fairtrade products. Please contact the group for information or advice, or simply to let them know if your business or school are using Fairtrade. The more Fairtrade that is used, the more it helps Ellon to become the first Fairtrade Town in the north east!
Did you know.....the Scottish Parliament serves fairtrade tea and coffee.
What you can do.......
- Try out some of the range of Fairtrade products at home. The range of products is growing all the time, and includes fruit, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, rice, honey and fruit juice;
- If you don't see Fairtrade goods in your local shop or cafe why not ask if they would consider selling Fairtrade in future. If enough people ask then shops and cafes will want to please their customers;
- Convert your workplace or school to Fairtrade.
Many schools are turning to Fairtrade. For example, Ellon Acadamy is a Fairtrade School.
Fairtrade News and Events
Fairtrade in Cuba
Faith Aitken of Aberfeldy Fairtrade Town Group will be speaking about her recent trip to meet Fairtrade producers in Cuba at a public event in Ellon.
Why not come along and hear about her Cuban Fairtrade experience and how this links to Scotland's Fairtrade campaigns.
The event is free and will take place from 7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. on Tuesday 25th April 2006 at Saint Mary's Hall, South Road, Craighall, Ellon. Refreshments and a Fairtrade stall will be available. No tickets are required and those that are interested can simply turn up on the evening.
The event is organised by Ellon Fairtrade Town Steering Group. For further information about the event telephone 01224 665289.
Ellon Fairtrade Social Evening a Success
More than 80 people attended a social evening to promote Fairtrade in Ellon on Friday 17 March 2006. The evening was the highlight of Fairtrade Fortnight in Ellon, which had also seen events organised in Ellon Academy, a display in Ellon Library and tasting sessions in the local Costcutter.
Norah Radcliffe MSP, Malcolm Bruce MP and two Fairtrade honey producers from Chile attended the event, along with representatives from Traidcraft and the Ellon Fairtrade Towns Steering Group. The event helped to raise the profile of Fairtrade and how it can improve the living and working conditions of farmers and workers in the developing world.
Formatine Area Committee Support Resolution for Fairtrade
On 28 February 2006 Formatine Area Committee backed a resolution that stated that "Formatine Area Committee supports Fairtrade and the long-term aim of the Ellon Fairtrade Town Steering Group to make and maintain Ellon as a Fairtrade Town". The Area Committee also agreed to serve Fairtrade tea and coffee at its meetings.
A resolution in support of Fairtrade is a key part of achieving Fairtrade Town status for Ellon.
