It is the 25th anniversary of the Fairtrade Mark in the UK ... and there's an appetite to keep up the excellent work in East Dunbartonshire.
The Council's Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee recently pledged its support to the International Fair Trade Charter - building on its commitment to support the pioneering movement.
The Council works closely with East Dunbartonshire Fair Trade Steering Group, as well as Fairtrade Town groups in Lenzie, and Bearsden & Milngavie.
And the good work is set to continue, with the Council's recent commitment and plans by campaigners to apply for Fairtrade Town status for Kirkintilloch in 2020.
The Council also works with enterprises such as Gavin's Mill shop and café in Milngavie and Silver Birch in Milton of Campsie, as well as church groups.
The local authority passed a resolution in November 2016 supporting Fair Trade locally - including a pledge to use such goods wherever possible when catering for meetings and functions.
The Steering Group has worked with the Council to pioneer a number of initiatives locally - such as the Fairtrade Cotton Schoolwear Campaign, a nurseries campaign and themed menus in schools - which have been rolled out nationally.
East Dunbartonshire has held Fairtrade Zone status continually since October 2007.
Councillor Susan Murray, Vice Convener of the Council's Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee, said, "I am delighted that support for all things Fair Trade continues to grow in East Dunbartonshire, thanks to the tireless efforts of local volunteers and the support of local residents.
"Rest assured, the Council remains fully committed to the ethos and values of Fair Trade, and we will continue to work with local communities, organisations and traders on this important issue."
Lenzie Fair Trade Group recently held a drop-in open day at Lenzie Union Parish Church, attended by around 200 people.
Liz Ibbotson, from Lenzie Fair Trade, said, "The open day was amazing and a very special event for everyone involved. We decided to use the 25th anniversary of the Fairtrade Mark as the over-arching theme, with a number of interesting exhibitions and lots of things for people to try and buy."
The International Fair Trade Charter - which is supported by the Council - refreshes the vision of Fair Trade and seeks to highlight the campaign's long-standing role in addressing challenges such as inequality, gender rights, climate change and more.
For more information on Fair Trade, visit www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/fair-trade and www.fairtrade.org.uk
You can also visit:
- www.facebook.com/eastdunbartonshirefairtrade
- www.facebook.com/LenzieFairTrade
- www.facebook.com/bearsdenandmilngaviefairtrade
- www.facebook.com/kirkyfairtrade
- www.facebook.com/gavinsmill
The Fairtrade Mark was launched in the UK in October 1994. Powered by people and community action, it has grown from an idea about justice and fairness among a few into a household name. It has also challenged how we think about the people who produce the food, drink and clothing we enjoy every day.
More than 1.66 million farmers and workers in over 1,200 producer organisations around the globe are now part of Fairtrade.
The Fairtrade Minimum Price protects against unfair and volatile prices, while the Fairtrade Premium supports people to bring about real change in their communities. That means children going to school, whole villages drinking clean water, farmers being able to grow their businesses, women making their voices heard and more.
Shoppers, communities, schools, places of worship, progressive businesses – and, of course, farmers and workers themselves – have all played a role in making these changes possible.
Scotland has been a Fairtrade Nation since May 2014.
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