Ilkley was awarded Fairtrade Town status in 2006 by the Fairtrade Foundation, and Ilkley Fairtrade Group has been raising awareness of the benefits of the Fairtrade system ever since. One of the five goals to be met to achieve Fairtrade Town status is to have the support of the local council and Ilkley Town Council reaffirmed its support in October 2019.

Here are some actions you can take to support the Fairtrade movement:-

-Switch to buying Fairtrade products, and learn more about the economic, social and environmental sustainability criteria that underpin them. (Fairtrade International – www.fairtrade.net)

-Find out what products are available via the Fairtrade Foundation website and follow the Foundation on Facebook and Twitter. www.fairtrade.org.uk.

-Support dedicated Fairtrade companies such as Divine (chocolate), Zaytoun (oil and other Palestinian products), Cafe Direct (coffee, tea and chocolate), Bala (sports balls), Tropical Wholefoods, Liberation (nuts), Koolskools (school uniforms) and Traidcraft (online shop, Oxfam, and several regular stalls at Ilkley churches – contact Ilkley Fairtrade Group for details)

-Where you can’t get a Fairtrade product in a supermarket, request it, so that the store is aware of demand.

The Co-op is the most visible supporter of Fairtrade products, but all the supermarkets offer Fairtrade, including the budget ones.

-Spread the word that Greggs supports Fairtrade!

-Encourage the shops and cafes you use to stock and serve Fairtrade products. (There is a Fairtrade National Purchasing Guide for businesses)

-Ensure Fairtrade products are used at your workplace, sports club, school, church etc, and please let Ilkley Fairtrade Group know, so that we can monitor the big picture.

-Help Ilkley schools gain Fairtrade School status

-Help Ilkley Fairtrade Group with events and promotional activities / tell us about any actions you take to support Fairtrade.  To contact the Ilkley Fairtrade Group email ilkleyfairtradegroup@gmail.com

Fairtrade operates with certain key features and product standards.  These include:-

• Fairtrade provides the safety net of a minimum price, which provides essential stability.
• Farmers and workers also receive the Fairtrade Premium – an extra sum of money paid on top of the selling price for them to invest in business or community projects of their choice such as education, health clinics, clean water, infrastructure, diversification and reforestation.
• Fairtrade is 50% owned by farmers and workers themselves, giving them an equal say in the system’s decision-making.
• There must be decent and safe working conditions.
• Discrimination, forced labour and child labour are banned.
• Advance credit must be available if required.
• Fairtrade producers are required to organise collectively, in cooperatives or workers’ organisations with a democratic structure and transparent administration, so they have greater bargaining power and control over their businesses.
• Environmental criteria address climate change and emphasise ecologically and agriculturally sound practices, including responsible water and waste management, preserving bio diversity and soil fertility, minimal use of pesticides and agrochemicals, and reduction of greenhouse gases.
• Fairtrade has a Trader Standard aimed at ensuring that businesses buying products from Fairtrade producers treat these suppliers fairly.
• The Fairtrade Mark is the most widely recognised ethical certification label globally.