Fairtrade
As a Fairtrade City and District, Derry City and Strabane District Council is committed to promoting and using products with the Fairtrade Mark. Many activities take place throughout the year. Help us by organising your own activity or become part of the district’s Fairtrade Steering Group.
Email: [email protected]
What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is a partnership between some of the most disadvantaged farmers and workers in the developing world and businesses and consumers here. The international Fairtrade system - made up of Fairtrade International and its member organisations - represents the world's largest and most recognised fairtrade system. It ensures a better deal to small producers and their communities in a global market. It’s FAIRTRADE Mark is a guarantee of standards worked out internationally with these producers that add the element of justice and equality to our consumer choices. While the FAIRTRADE Mark indicates that the specific product has been certified to give a better deal to the producers involved – it does not as an endorsement of an entire company’s business practices.
Donna McFeely presents the 'Fairtrade is an act of love' poster to visiting Fairtrade banana farmer Maria Genao from Dominican Republic.
What does Fairtrade mean for the producers involved?
Social Development & Environmental Protection: Fairtrade Standards require producers to organise in a democratic and transparent structure in bringing their produce to market. They also require adherence to environmentally sound agricultural practices and safe working conditions for workers.
Sustainable Economic Development - The price they get in return is made up of two elements:
- The Fairtrade Minimum Price, which gives a guaranteed minimum return for their produce in a fluctuating global market.
- The Fairtrade Premium which enables them to improve the lives of their communities.
This international partnership has delivered health care, education, clean water and many other benefits enabling producer communities to gain control over their lives.
In 2018 Jim Keys went to Columbia to meet Fairtrade farmers, see a farm and meet the community whose lives it affects. This is him just after planting a coffee tree . On the right is Sara Montoya another Fairtrade Coffee producer who was Foyle Fairtrade’s visiting producer in 2019.
We are a Fairtrade City… and District!