Welcome to Fairlie Fairtrade
What is Fairtrade all about?
The Fairtrade Mark is a certification label awarded to products sourced from developing countries that meet internationally recognised standards of fair trade. It is an international network of different organisations which ensure that the producers of goods receive a fair price and have healthy and safe working conditions. Many products are also organic but this is not an essential requirement. The number, variety and standard of Fairtrade goods available increases year by year far beyond the original tea and coffee sold in the beginning.
Buying Fairtrade goods has made a difference in the lives of workers and farmers living in poverty. With the extra income they have been able to access clean water supplies and health care, send their children to school and raise the standard of their products and marketing. The Fairtrade movement aims to raise awareness of the existence of Fairtrade goods, so that shoppers may seek out the Fairtrade Mark and ask for these goods to be stocked by retailers. The goal is that all goods eventually become fairly traded promoting justice and peace in the world.
Fairlie Fairtrade Village
Fairlie became Scotland's First Fairtrade Village by achieving the criteria of five goals required by the Fairtrade Foundation.
The criteria for becoming a Fairtrade Village are:
- The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens.
- A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area's shops and served in local cafés and catering establishments (targets are set in relation to population)
- Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local work places and community organisations
- Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign
- A local Fairtrade steering group must be convened to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Town status