Fairtrade status moves step closer after event (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Fairtrade status moves step closer after event

4:50pm Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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BASINGSTOKE is a step closer to being awarded Fairtrade status following a special event to mark National Fairtrade Fortnight.

The evening at Basingstoke College of Technology (BCOT) encouraged, among other things, people to swap their tea or coffee for a more ethical brand, where the money goes back to those who produce the goods, rather than lining the pockets of supermarkets.

The Basingstoke Fairtrade group has managed to achieve all but one of the goals for the town to be given an official status, and now needs to prove that residents of Basingstoke are using fairtrade products.

At the event, visitors could create a pledge on a special tree to promise to replace a food or drink product with a fairtrade variety.

Jill Gibson, chairperson of the Basingstoke group, said: “We invited people to have as many cups of tea as they liked to find the best alternative to switch from their normal brand.

“Fairtrade products are not more expensive any more. It’s become more mainstream and so there are a lot of things on offer. The difference is the distribution of money and it can make a real difference to the communities of developing countries. Something as small as changing your tea can make a huge difference.”

Mrs Gibson said the Basingstoke group now needed to hear from more people who are using fairtrade products.

She added: “If people are using fairtrade products either in the workplace or within a community group, they need to get in touch.

“We need to show that more people in the town are using fairtrade so we can achieve the status. The aim of the event was to reach out to more people about the benefits of fairtrade, and I think we achieved that.”

For more information, visit fairtrade.org.uk.