Ipswich to become Fairtrade town?
February 23, 2008 8:03 PM
Ipswich is expecting to hear next week whether its campaign to become a
Fairtrade Town has been successful. An announcement will be made on Tuesday
26th February during Fairtrade Fortnight and the visit of the Fairtrade
Foundation's campaign bus.
The Making Ipswich a Fairtrade Town Steering Group, which was established at
the end of 2005 following a public meeting, has been working hard to achieve
the criteria as set out by the Fairtrade Foundation for Ipswich to become a
Fairtrade town.
These include:
1.) Ipswich Borough Council adopts a policy to support
Fairtrade;
2.) A range of (at least two) Fairtrade products are readily
available in the areas shops and are served in local cafes/catering
establishments;
3.) Fairtrade products are used by an appropriate number of
local work places and community organisations;
4.) Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign;
5.) A Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure continued
commitment to its Fairtrade Town status.
The group has established a directory of retailers, users and
suppliers and organised visits to schools, talks, art and poetry
competitions, art gallery displays, public information, market stalls
tasting opportunities and through these encouraged greater take up and use
of Fairtrade products in the town.
Fairtrade producers receive a guaranteed fair wage for their labour
and produce which covers the cost of production and is sustainable.
Producers also receive a social premium based on the volume of product
produced and sold. The premium is then reinvested in the community to
improve well being.
Fairtrade fortnight this year runs from February 25 to March 9 and
the group intends to continue making an impact not just for these two weeks
but throughout the year and beyond.
In addition to public displays, information events and school visits
the highlights of this year's Fairtrade fortnight will be a Fairtrade Wine
Tasting Evening being held on Monday 25th February at St. Matthew's School
Hall, Portman Road, Ipswich at 7.30. Whilst this event provides the
opportunity to sample a variety of Fairtrade wines from across the world and
hear about their production, the event will also be attended by South
African wine producers, so that those present can learn directly from the
producers.
On 26th February 2008, the Fairtrade Foundation's Choose Fairtrade
campaign bus will be visiting Ipswich. This visit forms part of the
Fairtrade Foundation's bus tour which is stopping in eight towns and cities
across the UK.
Also in the Tourist Information Centre, between the hours of 10am
and 4pm, there will be a Fairtrade Bazaar featuring retailers Marks &
Spencer, Harambee, Sainsbury's, the Fairtrade shop and supplier Purely
Organic. These will be offering their wares to sample and purchase and
highlight their contribution to Fairtrade.
The bus will then move on to the Rosehill Centre, Felixstowe Road,
Ipswich and be on site from 3pm to 5pm.
Ipswich now has over 42 retail outlets, 28 Retail outlets, 23
workplaces covering over three thousand employees nearly offering Fairtrade
products for sale or use. 40 faith groups and 15 schools supporting
Fairtrade. The steering would like to hear of others and aims to increase
the numbers over the next year.
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