Fairtrade

Find out why you should support Fairtrade and where to buy products in Rushmoor.

What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is about helping farmers in less economically developed countries receive:

• a fair price for their products
• fair terms of trade
• decent working conditions
• improved health and safety standards
• security of long term contracts
• good environmental standards
• assistance to reduce use of artificial chemicals
• more control over their own lives, through participation in democratic organisations
• new opportunities for women and children, such as education.

Does Fairtrade make a difference?

Across developing countries, farmers are struggling with prices at all time lows.   Prices sometimes fall below the cost of production leading to suffering for farmers, their families and whole communities.  The sale of Fairtrade products ensures that this suffering is prevented, and is now helping 5 million people in 49 countries out of poverty. 

What are Fairtrade products?

The number of Fairtrade products has increased rapidly in recent years, there are now more than 1,000 retail and catering products from coffee to wine to cereal bars, which all carry the Fairtrade Mark.  Fairtrade products have won numerous awards for their quality.  As farmers sell their best produce to Fairtrade co-operatives because they get paid a fairer price for them.  So look for the logo when you shop:

How else can you help support Fairtrade?

• Buy the products
• Encourage others to buy the products
• Use your roles in the community to promote Fairtrade (e.g. as a school governor, business / community networker, consumer (cafés / shops)
• Join the new Rushmoor Fairtrade Steering Group and support its initiatives to promote Fairtrade in the Borough - contact the number below if you would like to help.

More information?

Rushmoor Borough Council produces a Fairtrade guide, which includes a local shopping directory, available free on request. 

Download the Fairtrade Guide, this will open in a new browser window:

 Rushmoor Fairtrade guide [851kb]