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Community celebrates gaining Fairtrade Borough Accreditation
14 November 2008
Press Release Number: PR140
Three years of hard work has paid off after
Redbridge was granted Fairtrade Borough accreditation.
The local group Fairtrade Redbridge which comprises local
businesses, community groups, faith groups, schools and the
Council, applied to the Fairtrade Foundation earlier this year to
be recognised as a Fairtrade Borough.
Rebecca Haslam, Fairtrade Redbridge Chairperson, said, "By
receiving the official accreditation, we hope to raise the profile
of our work with community groups, businesses and schools to
continue to help raise awareness of Fairtrade and increase it use
and availability. By choosing Fairtrade products, we can all help
provide a guaranteed income for producers."
In order to achieve Fairtrade status the Borough had to meet the
following five goals:
- Redbridge Council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade
and serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in its
offices and canteens
- Ensure a range of Fairtrade products are readily available in
the area's shops and served in two local cafes/catering
establishments
- Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local work
places, educational establishments, faith communities and other
organisations
- Ensure there is media coverage and popular support for the
campaign
- Form a local Fairtrade steering group to ensure continued
commitment of Fairtrade practices.
The Fairtrade Foundation, a registered charity, licenses the use
of the Fairtrade make on products in the UK in accordance with
internationally agreed Fairtrade standards ensuring growers and
farmers in developing countries receive a fair deal from selling
their products.
The Fairtrade certification also has other benefits for the
farmers' communities, such as school development, healthcare and
clean water initiatives, amenities we all take for granted in this
country.
Cllr Mark Aaron, Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways,
said,"This is brilliant news and a real credit to all those
involved who have worked hard to make this happen. By everyone
doing their bit we hope to support sustainable communities globally
as well as providing as many Fairtrade products locally as
possible."
To celebrate the Borough's success, Cllr Mrs Loraine Sladden,
Mayor of Redbridge will be presented with the official certificate
at an event on 1 December.
The Borough will also be celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight between
23 February and 8 March 2009 when a number of events will be held
to promote fair trade and products with the Fairtrade mark.
For more
information about Fairtrade Redbridge visit the Fairtrade Redbridge
website.
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