Rochdale receives Fairtrade Borough status

Fairtrade Foundation

After three years of hard work behind the scenes, Rochdale has been named as a Fairtrade Borough.  This is a prestigious national award, given by the Fairtrade Foundation, recognising towns, cities and boroughs across the UK that have met a set criteria in their work to promote Fairtrade.

The work has been led by Rochdale Fairtrade Forum – a group made up of local volunteers committed to promoting Fairtrade within the borough.  The Forum is supported by Rochdale MBC, Word Development Movement (Rochdale), United Co-op Members Group, local churches, RoFTRA and Traidcraft.
 
The official celebration of this award will take place on Friday 17 March at Rochdale Town Hall.  There will be information stands and Fairtrade samples available between 12noon and 1.30pm. 

At 1pm there will be series of short presentations and the receiving of the official Fairtrade borough certificate.  Anyone interested in Fairtrade is most welcome.

You may be wondering what being a Fairtrade Borough means and why it should matter to you.  Products that carry the Fairtrade Mark means a better deal for Third World producers.  Producers receive a fair price for their produce in addition to a ‘social premium’ to help them improve local conditions eg. building of health centres and schools.  It therefore allows them to plan for their futures.  In return they must belong to democratic organisations, follow internationally agreed labour standards and promote environmental sustainability, by reducing their use of pesticides, for example.  A better deal for everyone – they get a fair price, you get a good product, and at a competitive price.

So how can you help?

• Persuade your work colleagues, friends and relatives to switch to Fairtrade tea & coffee
• Look out for Fairtrade products when doing your local shop
• Ask your local corner shop or café to sell/serve Fairtrade – after all you are the customer

Further information on Fairtrade can be obtained from  www.fairtrade.org.uk

Press opportunity 1pm at Rochdale Town Hall: Mayor, Leader of Council, Allen Brett, Fairtrade Forum members & supporters and local school children.

Fairtrade Fortnight 6-19 March 2006

Fairtrade Fortnight the annual two-week national campaign co-ordinated by the Fairtrade Foundation runs from 6th to 19 March 2006 

This years theme, 'Make Fairtarde your habit', aims to show people how a small change in their shopping habits – buying products with the Fairtrade Mark – can make a real difference to poverty in the developing world.

There are now over 1,000 products that carry the Fairtrade Mark and Fairtrade sales are doubling every two years with all major supermarket chains stocking Fairtrade products.

This year Rochdale is celebrating receiving a prestigious award from the Fairtrade Foundation for its work in promoting Fairtrade within the borough.  Rochdale officially became a Fairtrade borough in March 2006 and the official celebration of this achievement will take place at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 17 March between 12noon & 1.30pm.

So what’s happening in Rochdale during Fairtrade Fortnight 2006? 

• Eighty copies of ‘Make your school Fairtrade Friendly’ Resource packs (financed by United Cooperatives whose head office is now in Rochdale) will be distributed to all local primary schools.  This excellent resource, created by the Coop College, provides schools with everything they need to know about embedding Fairtrade issues into the curriculum.
• Jitterbugs Play Centre, Littleborough will be selling Fairtrade drinks and snacks throughout Fairtrade Fortnight.  They will also be running a colouring competition to win a Fairtrade football – entry forms should be collected and returned directly to them.  Deadline is 20 March.
• Touchstones, Rochdale will be selling Fairtrade drinks and snacks throughout Fairtrade Fortnight.  They will also be running a colouring competition to win a Fairtrade football – entry forms should be collected and returned directly to them.  Deadline is 20 March.
• All local primary school children have been invited to take part in a Fairtrade colouring (under 7) and Fairtrade literacy (7-11 years) competition.  Pupils can win two Fairtrade footballs for their school.  Rochdale Fairtrade Forum Members will act as judges.  The deadline is 20 March.
• Official Rochdale Fairtrade Borough award celebration and presentation.  Friday 17 March 12.30pm to 1.30pm (photo opportunity at 1pm), Rochdale Town Hall.  Fairtrade information stands and sampling.  Anyone interested in Fairtrade welcome.
• Fairtrade product sampling at Coop Store, Station Road, Littleborough.  Monday 6 March from 9.30am onwards.

Further information:

Fairtrade is about the provision of goods that bring quality of life to both producers and consumers.  Choosing Fairtrade means that people in the developing world who produce it are guaranteed a fair deal - a price that covers the cost of production, a premium to use for business, community or environmental programmes and security of long term trading relationships.

The Fairtrade Foundation is a registered charity, established in 1992 which seeks to alleviate poverty in developing countries by encouraging Fairtrade.  It does this by licensing a Fairtrade mark or label to producers and brands which meet Fairtrade standards.

A Fairtrade Town (or Village, Borough, City, Zone) is a community which has made a commitment to supporting Fairtrade. There are over 150 Fairtrade Town's across the UK and this figure is rapidly rising.  To achieve Fairtrade Town status five goals must be attained.  When they are, a signed and dated certificate will be presented by the Fairtrade Foundation.  The goals include:

• The Local Council passing a resolution to support Fairtrade
• A range of Fairtrade products are available in the area's shops and catering establishments
• Fairtrade products are used by a number of local work places, community groups and churches
• Attracting media coverage and support for the campaign
• A local Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade Town status.

Local contacts

Hazel Stobbs, Sustainability Officer, Rochdale MBC & Rochdale Fairtrade Forum member on 01706 924357

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