SIDMOUTH has been awarded Fairtrade status for its commitment to the foundation’s principles, thanks to the efforts of local campaigners.
Sidmouth is now officially a Fairtrade Town, after it made a resolution to actively promote Fairtrade to consumers, businesses and community groups in the area.
As part of the campaign, retailers had to pledge to sell more than four Fairtrade products and eateries to serve Fairtrade tea and coffee.
The campaign also secured support from local authorities, faith groups and voluntary organisations, as well as lobbying businesses to promote the Fairtrade message in their working practices.
Sidmouth’s Fairtrade Steering Group’s Wendy Spratling said: “This is excellent news, and we would like to thank all members of the local community who have helped to make it happen.
“We hope that others will soon follow suit so that we can go on increasing the availability of Fairtrade products across the town.”
Adam Gardner, Communities Campaigns Manager at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sidmouth to the Fairtrade movement which now unites over 1,500 communities worldwide, taking practical steps to making a fairer world trade system a reality.
“Thanks to the support of the public and campaigners, an increasing number of farmers in developing countries are now selling their products on Fairtrade terms, bringing them a stable income, and the chance to trade their way out of poverty.”
Today, more than 1.4 million people – farmers and workers – across more than 70 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system. But campaigners are hoping for this number to grow.
Fairtrade helps small-scale farmers ensure they earn stable incomes and have long-term contracts with companies.
In addition, they earn the Fairtrade Premium, which they invest as the farmer-owned co- operative democratically choo- ses, in projects that will benefit their business or community.
In Sidmouth, the Steering Group is looking forward to celebrating the town’s new status at its �?Just Fayre & Fashion Show’ which takes place at All Saints Church on Saturday, October 8th and will feature a range of fairly traded products along with a café, stalls and other attractions including a smoothie bike.
