What is the Fairtrade Crosby Network
We aim to promote the use of Fairtrade products in Crosby, Hightown, Thornton and Waterloo in order to help producers in less developed countries. Our first aim is for Crosby to be officially recognised as a Fairtrade town.
What is a Fairtrade Town
A Fairtrade Town is one which has made a commitment to supporting Fairtrade. In practise this means that local people recognise the Fairtrade Mark and understand that it guarantees that the goods they buy with the Fairtrade Mark have come from producers who get a fairer share of the money paid for them.
Why does Crosby aim to be an Fairtrade Town
Crosby, Hightown, Thornton and Waterloo have a strong sense of local identity which is matched by the daily awareness – through work, family and the concerns of the many voluntary groups and charities – that we are all part of a global village. Sefton Council has already been awarded Fairtrade Borough status as a result of its support for Fairtrade.
Becoming a Fairtrade town brings fair trade practises to the heart of our community, connecting the area to the rest of the world.
How do you become a Fairtrade Town
Five goals need to be met before the Fairtrade Foundation awards Fairtrade Town status
- Goal 1 : Local council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade and agrees to serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in its offices and canteens.
- Goal 2 : A range of Fairtrade products are readily available in the area’s shops ( we need at least 10 retailers in our area) and Fairtrade products are served in local cafes and catering establishments ( we need at least 5 outlets)
- Goal 3 : .Fairtrade products are used by a number of local work places and community organisations
- Goal 4 : attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign.
- Goal 5 : A local Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade Town status.
What is the difference between Fairtrade and Fair Trade?
Fair Trade…… is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers, workers and craftspeople in the developing world, such as Asia, South America and Africa.
There are many Fair Trade organizations who have a clear commitment to Fair Trade as the principal core of their mission.
The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on UK products as a guarantee that they have been certified against internationally agreed Fairtrade standards.
Fairtrade Crosby (Twitter) is seeking to promote the awareness of this Mark and thereby increase awareness of Fair Trade more generally, to encourage us to ask questions about who makes the things we buy and whether they were paid fairly for their work.