feature: Haringey fairtrade borough
5 February 2008
Fairtrade products are now widely available in shops and cafes, and Haringey Council is applying to become an official “Fairtrade borough”.
The Fairtrade label means that the farmer or producer of the goods in a developing country is guaranteed a minimum fair price for their produce.
This price covers the cost of sustainable production and also offers protection from fluctuations in world prices. There is an extra premium as well, that is invested in local projects like schools or training.
The system is overseen worldwide by the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation International, which checks that standards are being met. All genuine fairtrade products will carry the fair-trade mark, as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal.
Everyone will have seen fair-trade tea, coffee and chocolate, but the list of fairtrade products is growing all the time and now includes fresh fruit, cotton products like T shirts, flowers, sports balls and wines and beers.
Haringey Council uses fair-trade products itself, and is now applying to become a “Fairtrade borough”, to give an extra push to suppliers and employers to take up fairtrade goods. Fairtrade status means at least 33 local retailers and 17 cafes stocking two or more fairtrade products, and the council also has to set up a steering group where local people can get involved.
Watch out for special events being arranged in the borough during national Fairtrade Fortnight, which takes place from 25 February to 9 March.
The council will also be producing a new leaflet listing local shops and other outlets where you can obtain fair-trade products, and will be publishing up-to-date fairtrade information on the website.
To find out more please contact Sharon Annafi on 020 8489 4928, or email neighbourhoods@haringey.gov.uk. For general information about fairtrade products see www.fairtrade.org.uk.
Return to the Features Page.
