What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade allows producers and suppliers of everything from coffee to cotton in developing countries to sell their products at prices which are fair to them and which enable them to feed their families and invest in basic necessities.

Becoming a Fairtrade City

On 22nd October 2007, Sunderland received recognition as a Fairtrade City, the 300th town or city in the UK to achieve this status, as part of its commitment to a better future for all.

To become a Fairtrade town five goals must be met:

• The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens
• A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area’s shops and served in local cafes and catering establishments.
• Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local workplaces, educational establishments, faith communities and other community organisations. A flagship employer is required for populations over 100,000.
• Media coverage must be attracted and events organised to gain popular support for the campaign.
• A local Fairtrade steering group must meet regularly to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade City status.

What Fairtrade products are available?

There are over 1500 Fairtrade certified products available in the UK. The range of products now includes flowers, sports balls, cotton products, wines and beers, and many grocery items too such as sugar, fruit, preserves, nuts, rice, honey and chocolate!

For a full list of Fairtrade products please visit the Fairtrade Foundation

Where can I buy Fairtrade products?

There are now over 170 places in Sunderland where you can buy Fairtrade. These include retail outlets, cafes, bars, restaurants, workplaces, faith groups and schools. We have produced a directory of places in Sunderland where you can buy Fairtrade.

Click here to view the director

On 22nd October 2007, Sunderland received recognition as a Fairtrade City, the 300th town or city in the UK to achieve this status, as part of its commitment to a better future for all.

To become a Fairtrade town five goals must be met:

• The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens.
• A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area’s shops and served in local cafes and catering establishments.
• Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local workplaces, educational establishments, faith communities and other community organisations. A flagship employer is required for populations over 100,000.
• Media coverage must be attracted and events organised to gain popular support for the campaign.
• A local Fairtrade steering group must meet regularly to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade City status.

Sunderland's Fairtrade Steering Group ensures that the city maintains these five goals, whilst looking at ways to make further Fairtrade achievements in the city.

In 2009 the group’s main focus will be to promote the benefits of Fairtrade to schools, linking Fairtrade to the curriculum with a view to some schools taking the first steps towards gaining Fairtrade School accreditation.

Cllr Dave Allan, Resources Portfolio Holder chairs the steering group. The following organisations are also represented on the steering group:

Sunderland City Council
University of Sunderland
City of Sunderland College
Traidcraft
Sunderland Youth Parliament
Tropical Wholefoods
The Co-operative Group

If you think your Fairtrade organisation could contribute to the work of the steering group, we’d love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch