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Renfrewshire Council Plan 2008 - 2012 Renfrewshire’s Fairtrade campaign takes off
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The sky was the limit for Renfrewshire's Fairtrade campaign when a roadshow rolled into Glasgow Airport.
Councillors targeted holiday makers and tourists as part of their bid to achieve Fairtrade status for the whole county.
Councillors targeted holiday makers and tourists as part of their bid to achieve Fairtrade status for the whole county.
The Fairtrade Roadshow has been visiting various venues throughout Fairtrade Fortnight (25 February to 9 March) to encourage more people to try products bearing the Fairtrade logo.
A stall manned by volunteers from Renfrewshire Fairtrade Steering Group was set up inside the airport. They provided passers-by with sample tasters of things like Fairtrade chocolate, tea and coffee as well as information on the importance of buying and selling Fairtrade products.
Renfrewshire Fairtrade steering group includes members from Paisley Fairtrade Partnership, Bishopton Fairtrade Steering Group, Reid Kerr College, Rainbow Turtle, the University of West of Scotland, and Renfrewshire Council. It was set up last year with the aim of following on from the successes of Paisley and Bishopton in achieving Fairtrade status for the whole of Renfrewshire.
Throughout Fairtrade Fortnight, the steering group has been involved in a number of events, from taking the roadshow around Renfrewshire to welcoming Kenyan tea farmer Julius Ethang'Atha to Paisley Town Hall to speak about his experiences.
Renfrewshire Council leader Derek Mackay, chair of Renfrewshire Fairtrade Steering Group, said: "We are committed to making Renfrewshire a Fairtrade zone and want to spread that message as far as possible."
"There are so many options for buying Fairtrade products now including clothing, wine, chocolate, tea, coffee, fruit, flowers and even footballs. The roadshow is a way of encouraging people to try some of these products and showing them how they could change someone else's life by choosing to buy these items."
Derek Provan, customer service director at Glasgow Airport, said: "As the gateway to Renfrewshire for millions of visitors every year, we are proud to support Renfrewshire Council's Fairtrade roadshow."
"Fairtrade products are growing in popularity, not only because of their high quality, but because of the difference they make to hardworking families in the developing world."
"Visitors passing through the airport can now choose from a range of Fairtrade coffees, teas and confectionery, and hopefully this roadshow will encourage more retailers - and passengers - to choose Fairtrade products."
The Renfrewshire Fairtrade steering group will continue to raise awareness and arrange events after Fairtrade Fortnight in order to make Renfrewshire a Fairtrade zone.
Press release: Thursday 6 March 2008
