Fairtrade
What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is about making sure that producers in developing countries get a fair deal. The Fairtrade Mark is a consumer label which appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal. Producer organisations that supply Fairtrade products are inspected and certified. They receive a minimum price that covers the cost of sustainable production and an extra premium that is invested in social or economic development projects. This means that producers can afford to feed their families and workers, provide them with a reasonable home, clean water and health care. It also helps them to send their children to school. It means that they can work their way out of severe poverty. Consumers can help by choosing to buy Fairtrade products.
Help Staffordshire to become a Fairtrade County
Staffordshire County Council recognises the work of the Fairtrade Foundation in improving the conditions of farmers and communities in the developing countries, supports the principles promoted by Fairtrade and has a Fairtrade policy aimed at achieving Fairtrade county status. We know lots of other organisations in the county already support Fairtrade and we would like more to follow suit to help promote Fairtrade. By becoming a Fairtrade Friendly establishment and registering with us, you can help Staffordshire to become a Fairtrade county.
For more information visit http://www.fairtrade.org.uk|
How can my organisation help?
If your establishment is an office or workplace you can:
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Use Fairtrade tea and coffee in your tea scheme
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Put up a Fairtrade poster display near the kitchen or canteen
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Have an "order up" campaign, to urge your works shop or café to stock Fairtrade
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Write an article for your works intranet or staff newsletter
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Find out who deals with the contracts for any vending machines and ask them to supply Fairtrade alternatives
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Talk to your catering manager about stocking Fairtrade alternatives in all outlets
If your establishment is a school you can:
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Have Fairtrade staff "tea schemes"
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Provide Fairtrade juice machines
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Provide Fairtrade fruit
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Hold a Fairtrade assembly
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Incorporate Fairtrade into lesson plans
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Set up a young co-operative scheme to run a Fairtrade tuck-shop
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Use Fairtrade tea and coffee exclusively at school meetings
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Pass a Fairtrade resolution at a school governors meeting
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Have an occasional Fairtrade stall for school events
If your establishment is a college or university the students' union and the university or college authority can create a Fairtrade policy incorporating these goals:
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Fairtrade foods are made available for sale in all campus shops / Fairtrade foods are used in all cafes, restaurants and bars on campus - where this is not possible, there is a commitment to begin to use Fairtrade foods in these establishments as soon as is possible to do so
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Fairtrade foods (for example, coffee and tea) are served at all meetings hosted by the university or college and the students' union, and are served in all university or college and students' union management offices
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There is a commitment to campaign for increased Fairtrade consumption on campus
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Set up a Fairtrade Steering Group
If your establishment is a shop you can:
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Stock two or more Fairtrade products - essential for Fairtrade Friendly registration
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Advertise that you stock Fairtrade - essential for Fairtrade Friendly registration
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Host an awareness-raising event in your store
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Exclusively use Fairtrade tea and coffee for meetings
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Have Fairtrade alternatives in vending machines
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Host a taste testing session
If you are a café or restaurant you can:
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Ask your current supplier if they can source you Fairtrade alternatives
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Download the catering directory from the Fairtrade Foundation
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Stock two or more Fairtrade products - essential for Fairtrade Friendly registration
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Advertise the fact that you are selling Fairtrade products to your customers - essential for Fairtrade Friendly registration
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Host a taste testing session
If your establishment is a voluntary organisation/charity, community group or church/faith group you can:
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Have a Fairtrade awareness meeting to tell people about Fairtrade
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Write an article for your newsletter
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Exclusively use Fairtrade tea and coffee for meetings
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Have a stall at events selling Fairtrade products
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Hold a taste testing session
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Put up a Fairtrade information display
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Use Fairtrade as a subject for discussion at your next meeting or service
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