Chelmsford Borough Council and Chelmsford Fairtrade Town Campaign are proud that they have obtained Fairtrade Town status on 6 January 2005, the first town in Essex to be awarded the honour. What is Fairtrade?
The Fairtrade Foundation exists to improve the position of poor and marginalised producers in the developing world. It encourages UK industry and consumers to support fairer trade and to purchase Fairtrade products. The Fairtrade label is the only independent guarantee that producers in the developing world get a better deal. Millions of landless labourers and small scale farmers are denied what should be their right: sufficient income to feed their families, to send their children to school, and that little extra to invest in sustainable development. For these farmers access to market information is difficult and, as a result, they become dependent on middlemen. In bad times many may even lose their only asset, their land, and thus, their livelihoods. Similarly, many plantation workers endure low pay, unsafe working environments and poor living conditions. Too often they are unable to join a trade union to defend their rights and lack the opportunity to participate in decisions that affect their lives on the plantation. The Fairtrade Mark is the only independent guarantee that a product has been traded in compliance with internationally agreed Fairtrade standards and it is the most reliable guarantee that the producer from a developing country actually gets a better and satisfactory deal for their produce. For more information about Fairtrade, including contact details for Chelmsford Fairtrade Town Campaign, please visit their website: Chelmsford Fairtrade.
Chelmsford's Fairtrade Town Trail Over a dozen town centre retailers, large and small, will be taking part in the first ever Fairtrade Town Trail in Essex from Saturday 24 July - Sunday 1 August 2010. Its aim is to raise further the public's awareness of Fairtrade and the extensive range of Fairtrade products that are now on sale. Chelmsford was the first town in Essex to gain Fairtrade status and the trail marks another notable first for the town. The trail is organised by the town's Fairtrade Campaign Group and has the full support of Chelmsford Borough Council.
About Fairtrade in Chelmsford Chelmsford Fairtrade Town Campaign was established in 2003. Then, with the support of Chelmsford Borough Council and many community and faith organisations, Fairtrade Town status was achieved in 2005. There are now 40 churches, four Parish Councils and 43 local organisations, employers, political parties and trade unions supporting Fairtrade in Chelmsford. Many local schools also support Fairtrade. All these, and their activities, can be seen on their website (see link on right). You can also visit their discussion forum (see link on right). If you would like to affiliate to Chelmsford Fairtrade Town Campaign, the fee is £2. If you would like to assist the Steering Committee please contact Chelmsford Fairtrade at 28 Rossendale, Chelmsford CM1 2UA. Would you like your school to have Fairtrade status? Then go to the Fairtrade Schools Scheme website. Did you know that your workplace could change the world? Find out how on the Fairtrade at Work website.
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