Fairtrade Towns
What is a Fairtrade Town?
The purpose of a Fairtrade Town is to contribute to the Fairtrade Foundation’s aim of tackling poverty by enabling disadvantaged producers from poor countries to receive a better deal. This is done through the use of the Fairtrade Mark, which is awarded to products that meet the strict criteria laid down by the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO).
What does this mean for St Austell?
Making Fairtrade products more widely available in the town by encouraging traders to stock them means that people can choose to shop in a way that benefits producers and their communities across the world whilst supporting local businesses. Encouraging local businesses and community groups to use Fairtrade products means that people can support disadvantaged communities in poor countries at work, at school or in places of worship as well as at home.
What we are doing in St Austell
The Fairtrade Foundation sets out five criteria for Fairtrade Towns. Here is how we are meeting these in St Austell:
- The local council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and agrees to serve Fairtrade tea and coffee at its meetings and in its offices and canteens. Restormel Borough Council has been trying out various Fairtrade beverages in its canteen and will report back to the Steering Group on how well they have been received.
- A range of (at least two) Fairtrade products is readily available in the area’s shops and local cafés and catering establishments. It should be easy for local people to find Fairtrade products as they do their everyday shopping. For a town the size of St Austell, the target is seven retail outlets and three catering outlets. We are already well on our way to achieving this. To find out where you can buy Fairtrade products in St Austell, see our directory.
- Fairtrade products are used by a number of local work places (estate agents, hairdressers, etc.) and community organisations (schools, places of worship, etc.). We are working hard to encourage local employers to embrace Fairtrade values. Some of them have already been using Fairtrade products for a number of years. See our directory for a list of local businesses and community organisations that are embracing fair trade.
- In order to raise awarenesss of fair trade and to increase the availability and purchase of Fairtrade goods, it is essential to attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign. This website is a step towards this. On these pages you will find news and events, our local directory of shops selling fairly traded products, and links to more information about fair trade.
- A local Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade Town status. The Fairtrade St Austell steering group meets monthly in the town to discuss our progress and the way forward. If you have any ideas for promoting fair trade in the town or would like to be involved in this exciting and rewarding project, please email us.
Click here to read about other Fairtrade communities in Cornwall.
