Fairtrade

• Fairtrade Introduction
• Fairtrade Zones

Fairtrade Introduction

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 guarantee a better deal for disadvantaged producers.

Fairtrade Fortnight

Fairtrade Fortnight in 2012 was between 27 February and 11 March 2012. The theme for 2012 is "Take a Step". During Fairtrade Fortnight, Aberdeenshire was lucky to be visited by Masauko Khembo from Kasinthula Cane Growers in Malawi. Masauko has been encouraging people to buy Fairtrade and explaining the difference Fairtrade has made to farmers in his cooperative and their families and community. Examples include building a school; building new homes and having water bore holes and pipes nearer, so woman do not have to walk so far for water. During his time in Aberdeenshire Masauko talked to schools pupils in Huntly, Stonehaven and Ellon as well as talking at a public meeting in Stonehaven and visiting businesses such as Mackies of Scotland and Mains of Drum Garden Centre.

Photograph of Masauko Khembo with a variety of Fairtrade products.

Fairtrade Zones

The Fairtrade Foundation runs a programme allowing communities to achieve Fairtrade Town, City or Zone status. In Aberdeenshire, Ellon, Huntly and Inverurie have achieved Fairtrade Town status, and Mid Formartine has achieved Fairtrade zone status.

Aberdeenshire Council's Sustainability Sub Committee agreed on 04 February 2009 that Aberdeenshire Council would:

1. Support the existing Fairtrade initiatives within the Council and Aberdeenshire,
2. Support the steps to encourage more use of Fairtrade products within the Council and communities within Aberdeenshire,
3. Agree that the Council should encourage the area to work towards achieving Fairtrade Zone status.

If your town or area is interesting in becoming a Fairtrade town or zone please contact us and we will help to explain and work you through the process.

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. Ellon Academy, Dunecht School, Old Rayne Primary, Alford Academy, Alford Primary and Gordon Primary School, Huntly are Fairtrade Schools!