Let's make Stourbridge a Fairtrade town!

It's difficult to see why anyone in the western world with a conscience would disagree with the concept of Fairtrade. I for one have no desire to buy a product that could only be supplied by people living in poverty and I suspect many other people in the Stourbridge area feel the same way. So let's support this initiative

NEWS UPDATE - JULY 07:
On July 16th Dudley Metropolitan Council passed a resolution to support the initiative to make Stourbridge a “Fairtrade Town”. The Resolution stated: "That Dudley MBC supports the principle of Fairtrade and the Fairtrade Foundation.The Council welcomes the work of supporters of the Fairtrade Foundation within the Metropolitan Borough and supports the efforts of all townships within the Borough in their quest for Fairtrade Town Status. The Council agrees to continue to offer Fairtrade tea and coffee at its meetings and in the offices." This is the first of the 5 goals set by the Fairtrade Foundation and it is a great step forward in the quest for Fairtrade town status for Stourbridge and other towns in the Borough.
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Stourbridge Fairtrade Town Status Steering Group:

Buying products with the Fairtrade Mark on makes a real difference to the lives of farmers and workers in developing countries. It ensures that they are not exploited and that they get a fair price for their products. Producers also receive a “social premium” which they can spend on a community project that they choose eg improved school or health facilities or developing their “businesses”.

One of the many people who has benefited from Fairtrade is Rumi, an embroiderer from Swajan, Bangladesh who says, “I feel very happy and secure working at Swajan. Now I am thinking of sending my four year old daughter to school” (Traidcraft catalogue, Winter 2006).

Making Stourbridge a “Fairtrade Town” would increase the number of Fairtrade products sold locally and directly help producers in the Third World. The Stourbridge Fairtrade Town Status Steering Group works throughout the year to promote the Fairtrade message. We have held a Fairtrade Wine Tasting, a Fairtrade Fashion Show and various other events that have showcased some of the more than 2000 Fairtrade products that are now available. We mark Fairtrade Fortnight each year.

The criteria for Fairtrade Town Status is laid down by the Fairtrade Foundation. Stourbridge would need 17 local shops and 9 catering outlets to stock at least 2 Fairtrade items. We are also trying to encourage a good number of workplaces such as offices, schools and churches to use Fairtrade products. The local council would also need to pass a resolution in support of using Fairtrade products at its’ meetings.

If you know of a shop or workplace using Fairtrade products we would love to hear about it. We would also love to hear from anyone/ any group who is already active promoting Fairtrade or who would like to join our group.

For further information please contact,

Michaela Vallance, Secretary. 07906 972153 micval@btinternet.com
Virginia Williams, Chair. 07866 171784 hugh.virginia@blueyonder.co.uk
Mary Reay, Vice Chair. 01384 372674 forhmr@hotmail.com