“Fairtrade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Its purpose is to create opportunities for producers and workers who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading system. If fair access to markets under better trade conditions would help them to overcome barriers to development, they can join Fairtrade.”
The concept of Fairtrade in the Peak District is not new, and was first thought of some forty years ago, but it was not until the late 1980’s that Fairtrade labelling was established and from then on, the concept of Fairtrade has gone from strength to strength.
Shops and businesses throughout the Peak District endeavour to support Fairtrade by either selling Fairtrade goods or by using them within their businesses. From shops and offices to accommodation providers, restaurants, pubs and cafes, Fairtrade products can be utilised. Often cheaper than branded products, buying Fairtrade goods can even save you money.
The Fairtrade range now includes over 3,000 products from coffee, juices, fruits and confectionery to houshold items and toys.
So how do you know that you are buying Fairtrade goods. Look for the Fairtrade mark which is a registered certification label for products sourced from producers in developing countries.
“Fairtrade in the Peak District is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives”.
Listed below are contact details for Local Fairtrade groups in Derbyshire
Bakewell: Jeff Marsh 01629 812979 jsue@surfaid.org
Matlock: Barbara and Grayden Daniels 01629 55801 wgbjdaniels@onetel.com
Glossop: Mel Price; 01457 857268; info@fairtradeglossop.org.uk
Hope Valley: Moira Monteith: 01433 650333; MMonteith@losehill.net
New Mills: Julian Ashworth fairtrade.newmills@yahoo.co.uk
Ashbourne Fairtrade Town Initiative: www.ashbournefairtrade.org.uk (opens in a new window)
To learn more about Fairtrade, control + click on the links below:
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/ (opens in a new window)