Honiton: Fairtrade Fortnight is underway!

Fairtrade Fortnight is a national campaign to shine a light on why buying Fairtrade is so important. Honiton Fairtrade Group is using the event to raise the profile of its initiative to gain Fairtrade Town accreditation.

Honiton is trying to gain Fairtrade Town accreditation and Fairtrade Fortnight will help raise awareness for this campaign. Since 2019, a group of Honiton locals have been meeting regularly to help progress Honiton's bid.

A number of conditions need to be met before a town can be awarded Fairtrade accreditation, for example Fairtrade goods being available in a certain number of shops, cafes and workplaces in the town.

For the next fortnight, Honiton will have Fairtrade displays in the Library and the Co-op, and there will also be Fairtrade Market Stalls on Saturday 26 February and Saturday March 6.

Much of the food we eat and the products we buy come from lower income countries, for example bananas, coffee and chocolate.

Buying Fairtrade ensures the growers receive a fair price for their produce. For farmers and workers, Fairtrade means better workers' rights, safer working conditions, and fairer pay.

Rosemary Gilbert, who is part of the Honiton Fairtrade Steering Group, told Nub News: "Buying Fairtrade goods ensures that these growers get a fair price for their produce (e.g. coffee, flowers, gold, tea, sugar and chocolate, as well as footballs and clothes.)

"Under the Fairtrade system, they receive an extra sum of money on top of the fair price, which can then be spent on community services, chosen by them.

"This could be digital technology, improving water supply, education or health services."

Honiton Fairtrade are looking for more people to join their Steering Group. If you are interested in joining the team or you would like more information, you can look at their Facebook page here or you can contact the group via email [email protected]

More information on Fairtrade is available here .