What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is concerned with 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 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.
You can visit the Fairtrade Foundation (www.fairtrade.org.uk) for more information.
Fairtrade Products
The Fairtrade Foundation has licensed over 3,000 Fairtrade certified products for sale in the UK. This mammoth list includes tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, apples, citrus fruits, juices, biscuits, cakes, honey, jam, rice, herbs & spices, wines, yoghurt, ice cream, flowers, sports balls and cotton products to name just a few!!!
How can you support Fairtrade?
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Buy Fairtrade as part of your regular shopping - with the wide range of Fairtrade products available there’s sure to be something you’ll want to buy;
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Ask for Fairtrade products to be used at your work, in community groups or at your place of worship;
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If a shop or café you use doesn’t stock Fairtrade ask for it – if enough people ask they may make it part of their regular stock;
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Get involved with the Leicester Advocating Fairtrade group to help promote Fairtrade across Leicester (contact details below).
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Fairtrade in Leicester
Leicester was one of the first cities to gain Fairtrade status in 2002 as a result of work by LAFT (Leicester Advocating Fairtrade) – the Fairtrade action group for Leicester.
The overall aim of the LAFT group is to increase awareness and use of Fairtrade products and resources across as wide a group of organisations and individuals as possible to ensure that not only does Leicester retain its Fairtrade City status but that it is also seen as an ethical leader.
The group has now developed a manifesto containing clear aims and objectives for the Group to achieve over the next five years. You can download a copy of the LAFT Manifesto at the bottom of the page.
The LAFT group is made up of a number of active partners including:
And many more besides.
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City Council pledge
Leicester City Council is an active member of the LAFT group and is committed to promoting Fairtrade in Leicester. The City Council agreed a Fairtrade pledge in 2008 to work towards the following goals:
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All of our members and officers to be aware of Fairtrade
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All of our schools to incorporate Fairtrade into the curriculum
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We will make use of as many Fairtrade products as possible within school catering
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All catering franchises to use and promote Fairtrade products
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All vending machines to stock Fairtrade products
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All Leicester City Council supported festivals and events to have a Fairtrade element
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Every Fairtrade Fortnight to be actively promoted and supported by Leicester City Council
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All Leicester City Council staff polo shirts to be made from Fairtrade cotton
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All footballs used in Leicester City Council schools and leisure centres to be Fairtrade
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We will promote our work to other Local Authorities and Fairtrade towns and cities.
The Pledge is to be delivered over a five year period, 2008-2013.
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Leicester Fairtrade Directory
The LAFT group has compiled a directory of shops, cafés, restaurants and bars in Leicester which offer Fairtrade products. You can download a copy of the Leicester Fairtrade Directory at the bottom of the page.
Leicester is also home to Just Fairtrade, Leicester’s first exclusively fair trade shop. Set up as a worker’s co-operative, it sells a huge range of fairly traded products from the developing world. You can visit Just Fairtradefor more information.
If you would like further information on Fairtrade or if you’re interesting in joining the LAFT group please contact:
Environment Team
Tel: 0116 252 6770
Email: environment@leicester.gov.uk
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