What is fairtrade?
The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal. By requiring companies to pay above market prices, Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their lot and have more control over their lives.
When you buy a product with this mark it guarantees:
- Better prices
- Decent working conditions
- Local sustainability
- Fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world
There are now an estimated 1 million farmers and workers directly involved with fairtrade and the FAIRTRADE Mark appears on over 2000 different retail products. They are available in most major supermarkets, whole food and fair trade shops, and by mail order. If your store doesn’t have the product you want, please ask the manager to stock it!
Epsom and Ewell Fairtrade Forum
We are a group of local residents in Epsom and Ewell who are committed to promoting Fairtrade in this area. Our main purpose is to campaign for Epsom and Ewell to become a Fairtrade borough. In order to gain this status we have to fulfil the following criteria:
- 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 being readily available in the area’s shops and served in local cafés and catering establishments (targets are set in relation to population)
- Fairtrade products being used by a number of local work places (estate agents, hairdressers etc) and community organisations (churches, schools etc)
- The council must attract popular support for the campaign.
- A local Fairtrade steering group must be convened to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Town status.
Progress so far…
Over the last few years we have been working towards these goals in many and various ways! We have run an annual tasting stand in Epsom Town Centre which gains more support and positive response each year. We give the shopping public the opportunity to sample fairly traded tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juice and a variety of cakes and chocolates as part of the national campaign ‘Fairtrade Fortnight’. We have also worked with Starbucks to put on a coffee tasting evening where we heard from a banana grower from the Windward Islands. More recently we put on a Fairtrade wine tasting evening at ‘Lime’ Restaurant and Bar. The event was attended by over 100 people who enjoyed free samples of award winning wine from the Co-op whilst being entertained with live jazz music from a local band. The evening was introduced by actor Patterson Joseph (of Green Wing, Peep Show, Mitchell and Webb and the Beach) who fully endorsed the ideas behind Fairtrade and encouraged Epsom residents to give their full support.
In addition to the shops and cafés you see listed in our directory many churches and faith groups in Epsom and Ewell have gained Fairtrade status by serving Fairtrade tea and coffee, running Fair Trade stalls and promoting Fairtrade in our community. Ewell Churches Together have now put on five annual Fairtrade markets which have grown in popularity each year.
A number of local schools also now have fair trade as part of the curriculum, run assemblies on fair trade and get involved in national campaigns. Epsom College and ‘Lighthouse’ have run their own ‘Young Co-operatives’ groups.
In addition to retailers, workplaces can now convert to fair trade by providing Fairtrade tea and coffee for their staff. After presentations and negotiations with the local council, and the presentation of over 1000 names on a local petition, Epsom and Ewell Borough council now provide Fairtrade refreshments in all their committee meetings and have an elected representative as part of our forum.
Case study from our directory
The Co-op have not only led the way nationally by promoting Fairtrade and stocking over 100 products with the FAIRTRADE Mark, they also support local groups campaigning for fair trade Town Status. They have not only contributed to the Epsom directory but over the years provided goodies for hampers, tasting stalls and a fantastic selection of Fairtrade wines for our Tasting night at Lime Restaurant. Look in the directory list for your local Co-op store.
Are you listed in this guide?
Help us keep the Epsom Fairtrade Directory up to date, if you run a supermarket, restaurant, café or shop in the Epsom and Ewell area and sell Fairtrade products please let us know and we will include your details in the next edition of the directory. If you are a retailer thinking about switching to or starting to stock Fairtrade products then get in touch with us and we’ll help you find out more, you can also go to www.fairtrade.org.uk for further information.