The Newham Fairtrade Network is working to raise awareness about the issues surrounding Fairtrade and we hope that more local businesses will offer Fairtrade products as an option where possible. In doing this, businesses can be included in our upcoming directory of shops, cafes and businesses in the borough that offer Fairtrade products to its customers and staff. This directory would contribute to Newham becoming a ‘Fairtrade Borough’.

The FAIRTRADE Mark exists to support producers who suffer under unfair trade rules that keep millions of people in poverty. The FAIRTRADE Mark on a product (such as tea, coffee, sugar or bananas for example) ensures that the producers were paid a fair wage by buying direct at better prices and they are also paid a ‘premium’ which goes back into the community and can go into a variety of different projects depending on local needs.

We campaign to encourage more people to choose Fairtrade products when available and to show how a small action like choosing such a product can make positive changes in the lives of people in developing countries.

Ken Livingston, Mayor of London launched the Fairtrade London Campaign - a campaign to make London a Fairtrade City in 2003 (to increase the availability and take-up of products by Londoners and to make London’s commitment to Fairtrade visible and understood to as many residents and visitors as possible). Through this, he has encouraged the boroughs of London to become Fairtrade boroughs by raising awareness of the issues locally and encouraging local shops, cafes and businesses to sell or use Fairtrade products as an option. For London to be given status as a ‘Fairtrade City’, 50% of boroughs need to achieve this status. London is already more than half-way there.

For a borough to become a Fairtrade Borough/Town, the following goals must be met -