This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight runs between 9th – 22nd September and will celebrate 30 years of Fairtrade making its Mark.
Ilkley Fairtrade Group members, together with Ilkley Town Councillors, including Mayor Damian Kearns and Deputy Mayor Jane Gibson, Ilkley District Councillor Dr Ros Brown, and Fairtrade supporters from across Ilkley, gathered on Ilkley moor for a special photo.
The familiar blue and green logo, the registered Fairtrade Mark, appeared on the first UK product in 1994. The Mark is licensed by the Fairtrade Foundation which was set up in 1992 by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft, the World Development Movement and the National Federation of Women's Institutes. Fairtrade seeks to achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability for farmers and workers in less developed countries. It helps to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and also supports farmers to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
In just thirty years, there are now around 5,000 UK products with the Fairtrade Mark, and over 30,000 globally. Fairtrade International is the parent body of nineteen national Fairtrade organisations, including the Fairtrade Foundation, and three regional producer organisations. The global Fairtrade system is 50% owned by the producers and workers themselves, so that they are directly involved in Fairtrade’s decision making and standards-setting.
Fairtrade has helped achieve a seismic shift in the way trade works, and it has been achieved thanks to public support and company commitments to more sustainable and ethical trade. Over three decades, 10 million people – farmers, workers and their families – have built healthier, stronger, and more resilient communities, with improved choice and better life chances through access to healthcare and education. They have responded to climate crises by investing in better farming practices. In addition to fair prices, Fairtrade generated £1.7 billion in Fairtrade Premium payments globally between 1994 and 2022. The Premium is Fairtrade’s extra money that can be used by producer and worker co-operatives to invest in business and community projects of their choice including healthcare, education and environmental initiatives.
Karen Palframan, Chair of Ilkley Fairtrade Group, said: “Fairtrade is a worldwide movement for change and trade justice, and not just any old logo on a product. Every time we buy an item with the Fairtrade Mark, we are part of this movement which works in partnership with producers and workers, so that they can afford to feed their families, send their children to school, cover their farming costs and have a brighter future.
The theme for this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight is ‘Be the Change. Choose Fairtrade’. It’s a great call to action to make a direct difference via our shopping choices”.
Ilkley achieved Fairtrade Town status in 2006, supported by the Town Council, and the Fairtrade Group always has events in Fairtrade Fortnight.
This year there is a Fairtrade and second-hand fashion show on 20th Sept at St. John’s Church, Ben Rhydding, 7.30pm. Free Entry. Oxfam runs ‘Second Hand September’ this month, and Ilkley Oxfam is providing a range of second-hand clothes for the fashion show. The Fairtrade Group will also have a Fairtrade information and activity stall at Climate Action Ilkley’s “Car Free Festival” on 22nd Sept. on The Grove, 11am – 4pm.
Karen added, “Please let us know if you are involved with Fairtrade in any way in Ilkley – especially if you are a local business or school. Email ilkleyfairtradegroup@gmail.com. Find out more about Fairtrade via www.fairtrade.org.uk and keep an eye on social media during Fairtrade Fortnight, to see how others around the UK are celebrating the Fairtrade Mark’s 30th birthday. Let’s ‘Be the Change’ by choosing Fairtrade.”