Fairtrade is a trade movement that guarantees farmers in the Developing World a fair price for their produce.
Fairtrade develops long-standing relationships between farmers and traders, recognising that a fair price meets the cost of production within sustainable means, living expenses, and contributions towards a ‘social premium’.
The Fairtrade Mark featured on products across the country guarantees consumers that producers work under decent health and safety guidelines, and that high environmental standards are maintained.
Consumers can also be safe in the knowledge that they are not only helping one specific farmer, but a whole community. The ‘social premium’ that Fairtrade farmers have to pay into contributes to health care systems, sick pay, education facilities, and many other community projects.
There are a variety of products on offer that are certified with the Fairtrade Mark, at a variety of outlets. Fairtrade is no longer an exclusive range of products only available in health food shops, it is readily available in regular supermarkets. For a list of outlets, visit the Fairtrade Foundation website.
Fairtrade at Hounslow
Hounslow Council passed a resolution to commit to Fairtrade, this means that the Council is working with the community towards gaining Fairtrade Status. There are a range of targets to meet to ensure that Hounslow becomes a Fairtrade Borough. The targets include:
Demonstrating a commitment to Fairtrade in the Council
Promoting the use of Fairtrade in shops, workplaces, catering establishments and schools
Establish a steering group for the community to get involved in
Provide evidence of all the above and produce a database of all outlets selling at least two Fairtrade products
A Fairtrade Steering Group has been established and is working towards reaching these targets.
Contact us
Environmental Strategy Department
Civic Centre
Lampton Road
Hounslow
TW3 4DN
Tel: 020 8583 5213
Email: fairtrade@hounslow.gov.uk