Apples go bananas! Herefordshire achieves Fairtrade County Status

Herefordshire has become the first counties in the Midlands, and only the third in England, to achieve Fairtrade Status, as awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation.

Chairman of the Fairtrade County Steering Group, Rev Mark Johnson, speaking on behalf of the local Fairtrade groups, said the achievement was great news for all those who support Fairtrade, and by doing so help people to work their way out of poverty.

“Fairtrade is one of the best ways of encouraging sustainable development for families and communities in the Third World,” he said.

Hereford City, Leominster and Ledbury have already become Fairtrade towns in their own right, and the County status builds on the enthusiastic local groups who supported this campaign from the grass roots, working in partnership with the Town Councils.

Success depended on the county achieving five goals, which included Herefordshire Council passing a resolution in May 2005 supporting and promoting Fairtrade, and serving Fairtrade coffee and tea in its meetings.

The county has achieved this coveted status thanks to the participation of schools, businesses, church, shops and local communities - from Lady Hawkins School in Kington down to Apricot Catering near Ross.

With 36 retail outlets across the county on board, the goal of having 28 outlets selling at least two Fairtrade products was exceeded by eight.

Herefordshire Sustainability Manager Trish Marsh said: ” We’re sure there are other local businesses using Fairtrade products.

“We hope they will now register on the website and get themselves some extra free publicity. The Steering Group are already working on how to  ‘raise the bar’ to enable the county to maintain its Fairtrade status year on year.”

News of Fairtrade events and locations can be found on the campaign website: www.herefordshirefairtrade.org.uk.

The website was commended by the Fairtrade Foundation as an excellent resource in giving information about the County.

“I am really proud of this award,” said a delighted Cllr Mike Wilson, Cabinet Member (Resources).

“This is a great effort by the council, local businesses and the wider community, and shows how concerted partnership working can make a real difference, not just in the local community but to people in the developing world.”