Fair-Trade in Hadleigh

Hadleigh has its own fairly trading shop on the High Street in the form of Harambee.  Importing direct from small workgroups in Rwanda, the Philippines, India, Thailand, South Africa and South America, they have a range of exclusive items, including fair trade teas in eight flavours called 'Purely Organic', founded by a local company who source the tea direct from Sri-Lanka.

Harambee supports four Fair Trade companies - Tearcraft, Traidcraft, Namaste and Bishopston - helping people make a living for themselves all over the world.

The number of Fair trade products is growing.  As well as the obvious tea, coffee, chocolate, biscuits, honey and jams, cereal and rice, many supermarkets now stock fair trade roses and footballs and, of course, fair trade wine!

Many regular foods, plus gifts from Harambee, can be purchased knowing you are helping someone in the third world. It can help to educate their children, put food on their table, and even supply the table. What is a 'basic' to us is a luxury to many in the third world.  They do not want hand-outs, they want to be able to support themselves.

They also do not want 'free trade agreements' (Economic Partnership Agreements).  Further liberalisation under EPAs could devastate the lives of 750 million of the world's poorest people.  It is by buying goods from the third world that each of us can make a real difference.

Hadleigh's moves to become a fair trade town four years ago seem to have stalled.  Would someone like to champion this cause again and get the town council and businesses to meet the five main criteria for this status:

1. Local councils must pass a resolution supporting Fair Trade and serve Fair Trade tea and coffee.

2. Fair Trade products must be available in shops in the area, and served in local cafes and catering establishments.

3. Fair Trade products must be used at some local work places and community organisations.

4. The council must attract popular support for the campaign.

5. A local Fair Trade steering group must be convened to ensure continued commitment to Fair Trade town status.

Other market towns, such as Woodbridge, are leading the way, and larger towns, such as Ipswich, are following.  The 'Fair Trade Foundation' was established in 1992 by CATHOD (Christian Aid, New Consumer, Oxfam, Tradicraft and the World Development Movement). These were later joined by the Women's Institute.  The Fair trade labelling organisation (FLO), formed in the Netherlands in the 1980s, checks the standards of everything given the symbol.  How far have we progressed since then?  Can we still sit in our cosy homes and watch those dying of disease or malnutrition - many children - and really believe it has nothing to do with us, or that we are unable to help! Making these countries self sufficient can alter many lives and one main way to do this is through trade.

Put the right coffee or tea in your trolley and you'll help someone to survive! It's that easy, so for Fair-Trade Fortnight lets review our shopping habits.  Every one of us can make a difference!