Fairtrade and Swindon

Swindon has officially been 'Fairtrade Borough' since February 2006.

In fact, Swindon Borough Council passed a resolution to support Fairtrade back in 2002. Since that time the Swindon Fairtrade Coalition has worked extremely hard to raise awareness of Fairtrade, get the products into local outlets (including Council offices) and produce a local Fairtrade directory. Of note has been the ability of the group to organise high-profile events and campaigns including talks by overseas producers, schools competitions and producing both the Directory and a Fairtrade Calendar.

Many local employers, such as Nationwide, NPower and Thames Water, now serve Fairtrade in the staff facilities. Swindon can also boast a number of Fairtrade Schools and Fairtrade Churches.

Swindon hopes that its achievement of Fairtrade Status for the Borough will help Wiltshire become a Fairtrade County and the South West to become the country's first Fairtrade region.

Fairtrade Makes a Difference

International trade rules often favour rich countries and large, multi-national companies over poor countries and small-scale producers. Buying Fairtrade means the farmers can get a better deal in return for their hard work. Fairtrade is already helping more than four and a half million farmers around the world earn a decent wage, preserve the environment, drink clean water and send their children to school.

Look for the Fairtrade Mark

The mark guarantees that growers receive:

• Decent wages
• Minimum health and safety standards
• A fair minimum price and a social premium for the community
• A longer-term trading relationship
• A commitment to better environmental standards and working towards
• Sustainable production
• The right for workers to join trade unions

Where to buy Fairtrade products in Swindon

Please click on the following links to find out where you can buy Fairtrade products in Swindon:

Fairtrade Directory

Fairtrade Retailers

Fairtrade Cafes / Restaurants

Can You Help Too?

Now that Swindon is a Fairtrade Borough the big challenge is to continue to get as many organisations as possible to stock and sell or serve Fairtrade-marked products. More offices, shops and restaurants in Swindon will be contacted in coming months and asked to support the Fairtrade campaign.

Further info

For further info on Fairtrade please click on the following for a link to the Fairtrade website:

Fairtrade website

Contact

If you or your organisation would like to join Swindon Borough Council and help to promote and support Fairtrade, please contact:

Lynn Forrester
Sustainable Development Manager
Swindon Borough Council
Civic Offices
Euclid Street
Swindon
SN1 2JH

Tel: 01793 463197
E-mail: lforrester@swindon.gov.uk