lwright

Published at 00:00, Friday, 02 March 2007

By LYNDSEY WRIGHT

CARING residents are campaigning to get a better deal for Third World producers – by achieving Fairtrade Town status for Hexham.

This month a town Fairtrade Group was founded – and it kicked off its campaign for Hexham on Monday at the Waitrose store.

The group aims to secure Fairtrade Town status for Hexham this year, meaning it will be officially recognised as doing its bit for the developing world.

When a Fairtrade label appears on food packaging it is a guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal for their products – thus improving their lives.

Local campaigner Penny Grennan said: “Fairtrade is not new to Hexham; it is supported widely throughout the town.

“Fairtrade products are available in many retail outlets, cafes and places of work as well as through churches and schools.

“The Fairtrade Group aims to give Hexham the recognition it deserves, whilst promoting even greater availability and use of fair trade produce.

“We are asking the people of Hexham to support the campaign for Hexham to achieve Fairtrade Town status in 2007, increasing our contribution to lasting change in the lives of millions of poor people in the developing world.”

Hexham’s upmarket supermarket Waitrose has already pledged its support for the Fairtrade Town bid.

Store manager Peter Forsyth, said: “Waitrose is a keen supporter of Fairtrade, which is itself an established brand noted for its ethical stance.

“We have recently underlined our commitment to ethical trading by converting all bananas to Fairtrade and announcing plans to ensure that 90 per cent of all rose bunches we sell over the next year will bear the Fairtrade mark.

“Establishing long-term relationships, built on trust and integrity, with all of our suppliers is at the heart of our business and this is reflected in our support of Fairtrade.”

Shoppers in Hexham will be given a second chance to show their support for the campaign tomorrow when the group returns to Waitrose between 10am and 4pm, with entertainment from the Hexham Community Choir.

Further steps in the campaign include the launch of the Fairtrade Group website, encouraging the involvement of local churches and schools, and securing the support of Hexham Town Council and Tynedale Council.

To gain Fairtrade Town status the group must get the local council on board, ensure a range of Fairtrade goods are readily available in the town, ensure products are used by a number of local work places and community organisations, and gather public support for the campaign.

For more information contact the Hexham Fairtrade Group at contact@hexhamfairtradegroup.org

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk