Renfrewshire will be a thriving, safe and forward looking community which cares for its people and its environment 
Renfrewshire community plan 2000 - 2010 Fairtrade
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What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade guarantees fair prices for third world producers and gives power back to both producers and consumers. Producers get fair wages, good working conditions and help with product development and marketing. Consumers are given the chance to make a difference by buying Fairtrade products whenever they can. Fairtrade products include things like tea, coffee, chocolate, fruit, flowers, wine, clothes and even footballs!
How does it benefit farmers?
Purchasing Fairtrade products has a hugely beneficial impact on the lives of third world farmers. A number of farmers say that it would be impossible to continue farming without Fairtrade. Follow this link to read more from some Fairtrade producers across the world.
Fifteen years of the Fairtrade Mark
In 1994, only three products had the Fairtrade Mark - now more than 4,500 products carry the mark, including sugar, grapes, mangoes, avocados, dried fruit, cakes, jams, rice, herbs and spices, wines, beers, ice-cream, flowers, sports balls, clothing, Palestinian olive oil and cosmetics.
The first town to achieve Fairtrade status was Garstang in 2000 - it has now been joined by more than 450 other towns, including our own Paisley, Bishopton and Lochwinnoch. There are also 100 Fairtrade universities, 3,000 schools, more than 5,000 Fairtrade churches, 40 Fairtrade synagogues and one Fairtrade mosque in the UK.
Some Fairtrade facts
- A massive 72% of the UK public now recognise the Fairtrade Mark.
- More than 7 million people in Africa, Asia and Latin America benefit from Fairtrade.
- Since launching in 2000, Fairtrade bananas now account for 1 in 4 bananas sold in the UK.
- Consumers are spending more on Fairtrade with the average purchase of Fairtrade goods increasing by 5.5% this year. Sales of Fairtrade are also increasing and reached an estimated £700million in 2008, a 43% increase on the previous year.
The Fairtrade Foundation announced in February 2009 that Renfrewshire had achieved Fairtrade Zone status, after a campaign led by Renfrewshire Council and involving local Fairtrade groups, schools, churches and businesses.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Derek Mackay, said: "Here in Renfrewshire, we've proven that we can 'make it happen' by achieving Fairtrade zone status."
Each year, the steering group publishes a guide to Fairtrade in Renfrewshire giving you information on supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and hotels that stock Fairtrade products. It also tells you about our most recent key achievements in 2008 and what we hope to achieve in the future.
You can download a copy of the guide below:
Fairtrade Guide 2009 (pdf - 587Kb)sYou need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document. Download Acrobat Reader here.
