Honiton well on its way to becoming a Fairtrade town

Honiton is getting closer to becoming a Fairtrade town, a process which started in 2019.

Fairtrade is a certification that ensures a set of standards are met in the production and supply of a product or ingredient.

For farmers and workers who produce a product, Fairtrade means better workers' rights, safer working conditions, and fairer pay.

A Fairtrade town is somewhere that supports the Fairtrade movement, educates its residents about its importance and uses Faitrade products whenever possible (such as in cafes, schools and places of worship).

Caroline Kolek used to be Honiton's mayor and she was the town councillor who started the process in 2019. She now serves on the Fairtrade steering committee.

Many of the products people buy every week, such as coffee, tea, chocolate and bananas are grown in Asia, Africa or central and south America, but the farmers and workers often aren't paid enough to feed their families and working conditions are poor.

For example, according to the Fairtrade Foundation, one in four children in Kenya's tea and coffee-growing regions are malnourished, leading to stunted growth.

Asked why Fairtrade is important, Caroline said: "I believe we have duty to ensure these farmers are paid fairly for the products they grow."

The campaign has received a lot of backing from the Honiton community.

According to Caroline, "The people we have spoken to have been very supportive. All organisations we have approached have been keen to get on board."

Part of becoming a Fairtrade town is ensuring local organisations sell or use Fairtrade products.

The steering group have secured this support from Honiton's faith groups, churches, the Thelma Hulbert Gallery, the Allhallows Museum, the library, local schools, other businesses and the Chamber of Commerce.

Although buying Fairtrade products tend to be more expensive, Caroline believes it is worth it: "When you consider that people are being fairly paid, the goods are not overly expensive."

It is also hoped that gaining Fairtrade status will draw visitors and shoppers to Honiton's cafes and shops.

The application is still underway, and it needs as much involvement from local people as possible.

Caroline suggests that residents of Honiton can help support the campaign in many different ways: "Like our Fairtrade Facebook page and say hello at our next street stall on 4 December.

"Above all else, choose cafes that serve Fairtrade products and buy goods that are fairly traded.

"Even if you switched to one or two Fairtrade items, you are making a difference."

The organisers of the campaign will be holding an information stall on Honiton high street on Saturday December 4 between 9am - 2pm.