Newbury Fairtrade Town Campaign
Newbury officially became a Fairtrade Town on Friday 31st March 2006
The Fairtrade movement gives confidence to consumers that the price they pay for Fairtrade marked goods reflects the true cost of production as well as helping the producers to improve their lives and local communities.
Where can you buy Fairtrade products in Newbury?
If we have missed anything off this list please contact the Town Hall. We would love to add it!
Northbrook Street
| The Kings Coffee House | A selection of Fairtrade coffee, tea, hot chocolate and sugar |
| Starbucks cafe | Fairtrade coffee available on request; Fairtrade chocolate bars |
| Oxfam | Coffee and tea (including decaffeinated and organic), large selection of chocolates, toffee / fudge, honey, cereal bars, juice, sugar, cocoa, Christmas cakes, cookery book, fairly traded dried fruits, nuts, nutmeg, Easter eggs, cereals, biscuits and jewellery. |
| Tesco Metro | Instant coffee and tea |
| M&S | Socks & T-shirts |
Bartholomew Street
| Nature's Corner | Coffee and tea ( including decaffeinated and herbal organic), hot chocolate, chocolate bars, honey, brazil nut oil, muesli, biscuits, fairly traded tropical dried fruit, nuts, baby food, rice cakes |
| Hethertons Bakery | Takeaway Fairtrade coffee available |
| Shoemakers Cafe | Coffee and tea (including decaffeinated and organic), jam, hot chocolate, juice, cakes with largely Fairtrade ingredients |
| Shoemakers Shop | Biscuits, sugar, jam, dried fruits, chocolate bars, muesli, yogurt raisens, chocolate Advent Calendars, juice, pasta, marmalade, chocolate spread, chocolate and boxes of chocolate |
Supermarkets
| Sainsburys | Coffee and tea (including organic and decaffeinated), cocoa, chocolate bars, juice, wine, avocados, bananas, pineapple, marmalade, jam, tropical mix, mango, coconut, quinoa, roses, Ice cream |
| Waitrose | Coffee and tea (including organic and decaffeinated), cocoa, chocolate bars, bananas, mango, pineapple, grapes, juice, roses, wine |
| Budgens, Wash Common | Coffee and tea (including organic and decaffeinated), cocoa, sugar, cereal bars, bananas, dried mango, tropical mix, coconut, dried papaya, wine, ice cream |
| Tesco | Coffee and tea (including decaffeinated), apples, pears, grapes, mangos, juice, biscuits, fudge and toffee |
Misc
| Threshers,(Wash Common) | Wine |
| Coffee Stall, Newbury Market | Fairly traded coffee (Thursdays only) |
Why are we supporting Fairtrade?
Fairtrade attempts to redress social and economic injustice by focusing on the plight of the farmers and growers in the developing world by:
- Paying producers a price that reflects the true cost of production
- Encouraging a social premium on the price. Although emphasis is on trade as opposed to aid, a premium is encouraged to enable investment/development with projects agreed by the local producers themselves
- Promoting democratic organisations such as cooperatives
- Prohibiting the use of child labour
- Promoting decent and fair working conditions
- Promoting environmental sustainability. Fairtrade encourages pesticide free and sustainable farming methods.
What have we done so far?
- Set up a Fairtrade Steering Group to lead the way forward
- Newbury Town Council supports the Fairtrade Town campaign
- A successful media campaign has be developed
- Liaising with local businesses
- Working with existing Fairtrade supporting businesses
- Networking with existing ‘FairTraders’ to increase opportunities
What does being a Fairtrade Town mean?
It widens the market for Fairtrade products and helps to raise awareness of the Fairtrade movement.
Specifically:
- It means that a range of Fairtrade products are available in its shops and served in its cafes / restaurants
- Local businesses will use the products where appropriate
- Other organisations / establishments such as schools, churches, hairdressers, playgroups, colleges, estate agents, garages, hotels, etc. will use the products
- Special events will be organised during Fairtrade Fortnight, in March every year
- A local Fairtrade Directory will be produced
- Shops may carry signs to highlight their Fairtrade goods
What sort of products can be Fairtrade marked?
Standards exist for coffee, tea, coca, sugar, honey, various fresh fruit and vegetables, dried fruit, fruit juices, rice, wine, nuts and oilseeds, cut flowers, ornamental plants, spices and herbs, cotton and sports balls. Standards for other products are being developed all the time.
Fairly traded versions of other products are available e.g. Oxfam products (www.oxfam.org.uk), Traidcraft products (www.traidcraft.co.uk) and those sold in British Association for Fair Trade Shops (www.bafts.org.uk).
Is conventional trade really unfair?
Existing problems with world trade are seen as one of the biggest issues causing world poverty. Established world trade rules are increasingly seen as grossly unequal, favouring the rich nations against the poor. Through 'free trade' laws and systems created by the World Bank, World Trade Organisation and the International Monetary Fund, poor nations are forced to trade with the subsidised markets of rich nations, rendering their products uncompetitive.
Who certifies the product?
The Fairtrade Foundation (www.fairtrade.org.uk) award the UK's Fairtrade mark, which guarantees a better deal for third world producers. The mark also guarantees that every person and organisation along the supply chain, including retailers, has conformed to the Foundations's standards. The Fairtrade Foundation is the UK member of the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO), (www.fairtrade.net) based in Germany.
For further information contact Cllr Gabrielle McGarvey on 01635 550824.
