What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is a system of trading which gives Third World producers a 'fair deal' - a fair price for their export products and a fair wage for their labour. Any product bearing the FAIRtrADE Mark, awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation, is guaranteed to be part of the Fairtrade system.

What products are available?

There are now over 1600 Fairtrade products (and growing all the time), including a range of teas and coffees, hot chocolate, sugar, snacks, chocolate, fruits, honeys and preserves, fruit juice and wines - and now flowers.

What does it cost?

When you 'buy Fairtrade' you will usually pay a little more, because the producers themselves are getting more (that's the whole idea of it!). But in return they themselves are required to invest in community development projects, in product improvement and in sustainable environmental practices.

Why 'go' Fairtrade?

Increasingly throughout the country the tourism sector is providing Fairtrade products for customers. There are three reasons for this. First, because of the principle itself. Second, because it is good for business (many guest houses market themselves on their Fairtrade credentials). Third, because it is part of a wider vision of responsible tourism, to which more and more businesses are subscribing.

Where can you buy it?

Almost anywhere! All major supermarket chains stock some Fairtrade lines, but so do many smaller shops. For a specialist supplier contact the very knowledgeable Staveley based, exclusive wholesaler of Fairtrade beverages, The Fairground: tel. 01539 822823, (email fairground@lineone.net), web-site at www.fairgroundcoffee.co.uk/.
Farrers of Kendal also supply a range of Fairtrade coffees, (email wholesale@farrers.co.uk) Many other wholesalers, both local and national, now stock Fairtrade lines.

What is happening in Cumbria?

Many things! Over 100 guest houses and hotels and over 80 cafés and restaurants are serving Fairtrade, as well as several major tourist attractions. Of the fifteen places in Cumbria with Fairtrade campaign groups, 10 have achieved Fairtrade Town/Village/Zones/City status. More are in the pipeline. Cumbria is Britain's premier Fairtrade County. All fifteen campaign groups belong to Cumbria Fair Trade Network www.cumbriafairtrade.org.uk/ For more information contact Network Coordinator Joe Human: tel. 017687 80047 or email j.human@zen.co.uk .