In February 2007 Gateshead became a Fairtrade borough by satisfying the ‘five goals’ set by The Fairtrade Foundation. We passed a resolution to support Fairtrade and host a local Fairtrade steering group every two months. We work with local businesses, community groups and schools and aim to have all schools in Gateshead awarded the Fairtrade Schools Award by 2020.
What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is system of buying products from farmers in developing countries that makes sure that they get a fair price for their products. It means they can afford to feed their families, provide them with a reasonable home, clean water and health care. It also helps them to send their children to school. It means they can work their way out of severe poverty.
There are now over 1500 Fairtrade products ranging from chocolate to coffee to fresh fruit. Spotting them is easy as they all carry the Fairtrade mark and can be found in most local supermarkets. By buying Fairtrade you are supporting decent pay rates and better conditions for workers.
Why Fair Trade?
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It raises awareness of the challenge faced by people living in the developing world and how we can help people in the third world get a fair price for their products;
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It creates educational opportunities for schools to raise awareness of global social, economic and environmental issues, for example, international relations, fair trade, racism, and slavery;
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Fairtrade could also relate to local farmers who want a fair price for their produce.
Fairtrade simply means workers in poor countries get a fair deal for their goods. So a cocoa farmer from Ghana or a cotton grower in India get fair and stable prices and long-term, secure contracts from rich countries, like the UK. This means they can gradually work their way out of poverty.
Did You Know
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Over half the people in the world survive off less than £1 per day;
From the sale of a cup of coffee costing £1.75, only 5p goes directly to the grower;
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Before you've finished your breakfast, you will have relied upon half the world for your daily fix of coffee, orange juice, cornflakes and bananas;
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Over £700 million was spent on Fairtrade goods in the UK during 2008.