Are you being fair to fairtrade products?

FAIRTRADE Fortnight is launched across the UK today with schools and organisations across the country joining in the fun.

From Fairtrade coffee mornings to cake baking competitions, a whole host of events and activities are being held to promote Fairtrade products as well as the aims of the Fairtrade Foundation. With Oldham a Fairtrade borough since 2007, reporter BEATRIZ AYALA discovers what the charity aims to change and why we should all take part.

TO MOST people, eating a banana might be a way of getting one of the recommended five a day portions of fruit and veg, or just a quick snack to stave off hunger.

But eating a Fairtrade banana could be taking the first step to helping poorer farmers earn a decent living.

The Fairtrade Foundation launches its Fairtrade fortnight today — until March 8.

And it is urging all Oldhamers to join their “Go Bananas for Fairtrade” campaign and join thousands nationwide munching on the Fairtrade fruit.

But what is Fairtrade and why does it matter to Oldhamers?

The Fairtrade Foundation is the independent non-profit organisation that licenses use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products in the UK in accordance with internationally agreed Fairtrade standards.

The Foundation was established in 1992 by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traid-craft and the World Develop-ment Movement, and later joined by other organisations.

A registered charity, the Foundation is the UK member of Fairtrade Labelling Organ-isations International (FLO), which unites 21 labelling initiatives across the world

The charity state that two billion people — a third of humanity — still survive on less than two dollars (around £1.40) a day.

Unfair trade rules keep them in poverty, but they face the global challenges of food shortages and climate change too. Fairtrade described themselves as a people’s movement for change that aims to tip the balance of trade in favour of poor producers. Their vision is of a world in which justice and sustainable development are at the heart of trade structures and practices so that everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood and develop their full potential.

To achieve this, Fairtrade wants to transform trading structures and practices in favour of the poor and disadvantaged.

Taking part in Fairtrade Fortnight 2009 means Oldham residents are playing a part in joining a powerful global movement for change.

Judith Haughton, Fairtrade co-ordinator for Oldham, said: “By using Fairtrade products, Oldham families can save others around the world.

“It means a better quality of life for people, fresh water and helping workers become self-sufficient, things that we take for granted.

“It doesn’t cost that much extra and some items are cheaper, especially if you are prepared to look around.

“When people say they can’t afford the products, I say we can’t afford not to buy Fairtrade when people are dying needing fresh water.”

Oldham became a Fairtrade borough in 2007, after the Council held Fairtrade tea and coffee at all civic buildings.

Over this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight, a series of events will be held to raise the profile of the organisation.

Tomorrow will see Mayor Councillor Shoab Akhtar welcome two Columbia Fairtrade coffee growers to his parlour.

Growers will also meet pupils at Crompton House, the borough’s first Fairtrade status secondary school.

Trinity Methodist Church in Royton hosts a Fairtrade coffee morning on Thursday 9am-12 noon, with another at Union Street United Reformed Church, on Saturday involving a Fairtrade banana cake making competition.

Rounding off events will be a schools’ football tournament at Oldham Sports Centre, sponsored by Oldham Athletic, on March 6 with Fairtrade footballs and refreshments.

A whole host of smaller events will be held across all districts.

As well as looking overseas, Fairtrade in Oldham plans to focus its attention on issues affecting local producers and farmers.

They are pushing for fair trading practices to be established for for all in the borough, as well as urging residents to think local when shopping.

Judith said: “We want people to go back to using the local milkman and supporting local farmers.

“We are also looking to establish a regular farmers market in the borough, although we know one operates in the Uppermill area.”

“For the moment, we will be setting up an Oldham specific website where we can feature schools or workplaces for a month who have taken on board the Fairtrade message.




THE FAIRTRADE MARK



Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark which includes:



::Drinks such as coffee, tea, herbal teas, wines, beers, rum

::Fruit such as bananas, grapes, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, apples, pears, plums, grapefruit, lemons

::Sweet treats like biscuits, cakes and snacks, honey, jams and preserves, yoghurt, ice-cream

::Food such as rice, quinoa, chutneys, herbs and spices, confectionary, muesli, cereal bars,

::Items such flowers, sports balls, sugar body scrub and cotton products including clothing, homeware and cloth toys.