Support call for Fairtrade Fortnight

Shoppers, retailers and employers are being encouraged to show their support for Fairtrade fortnight, which begins on Monday.

Airdrie is one of three towns in North Lanarkshire which has already earned official Fairtrade town status, while work is in progress to earn the same accolade for the rest of the local authority area.

John McDonald, who chairs the North Lanarkshire Fairtrade steering group, said: “We have power in our hands to make choices that help others to have better lives.

“Fairtrade challenges people to think about the source of goods we buy and we can all make a difference.”

Customers are being asked to play their part by shopping in supermarkets for items with the Fairtrade mark, finding franchises and small businesses serving Fairtrade coffee, chocolate, sugar and tea, and looking for Fairtrade cotton and gold, silver and other precious metals at fashion boutiques and jewellers respectively.

Retailers are encouraged to ensure customers are aware of the Fairtrade products they stock by running special displays, tasting sessions, fundraising boxes or other promotions, and to look at the national Fairtrade purchasing guide to find suppliers; while employers are asked to stock Fairtrade coffee, sugar, tea, juices or snacks in the workplace.

A council spokesperson said: “We are supporting the campaign to help connect Fairtrade producers and consumers, and raise awareness of the mission the Fairtrade Foundation pursues: to ensure farmers and growers are paid fairly for their work.”

The local authority officially backed an international charter last year to raise awareness of Fairtrade, and had previously agreed to promote such items in its refreshment areas and with local retailers and businesses.

Steering group members bidding to earn Fairtrade status for the whole local authority area include Airdrie Academy pupils and independent Airdrie North councillor Alan Beveridge, along with representatives of community councils, businesses, faith groups, colleges and Nor th Lanarkshire’s youth forum.

Airdrie earned the status of Fairtrade town in 2015 following three years of work by the local community.