Fairtrade

'Before you've finished your breakfast this morning you'll have relied on half the world.'

Martin Luther King

On Friday 27 July 2007 Hinckley and Bosworth were awarded Fairtrade Borough Status by the Fairtrade Foundation. Hinckley and Bosworth is a Fairtrade Borough.

One of the most powerful weapons we have to make positive changes in the world is through what we buy. When you buy a Fairtrade product not only do you get a great tasting product but the money you pay provides a fair deal to producers in the Third World. Fairtrade products are products that are independently certified as providing a fair deal to producers in the third world. The Fairtrade mark can be found on a wide variety of products such as tea, coffee, sugar, honey, bananas, beers, clothing and sports equipment.The money you pay for your Fairtrade product helps ensure that ethical standards of trade are met. These standards offer a lifeline for producers in the Third World by providing a fairer way of trading rather than simply offering aid.

In many circumstances producers in the third world do not get paid enough to cover the cost of growing their crop or making their product. This can lead to the loss of their homes and land. Fairtrade products are guaranteed to cover the cost of sustainable production which allows many poor small farmers to get back on their feet and trade their way out of poverty. Users of the mark must also pay a premium that allows producers to invest in development and they must sign contracts that allow for long term planning and sustainable production practices. This ensures decent and safe working conditions, provision of healthcare and education for the workers and their children.

Find out more about Hinckley and Bosworth Fairtrade Forum.

Last updated: 15/11/2011 10:46