London Fairtrade Campaign

Background
News
Further information

Background

On 11 March 2003, the Mayor launched the campaign to make London a Fairtrade City with an event in the City Hall café and an evening reception in London's Living Room. The aim of the Fairtrade London campaign is to dramatically increase the availability and take-up of Fairtrade products by every Londoner, and make the city’s commitment to Fairtrade visible and understood by as many residents and visitors as possible, whether in the shops, at work, in a public institution, or whilst out and about.

The Mayor and Raymond Kimoro, General Manager of Kilimanjaro Native Co-operative

For London to achieve Fairtrade City status, it must meet a series of targets agreed with the Fairtrade Foundation. Primarily the work is being carried out in the boroughs with the support of local campaigners (one of the goals is for 50% of London boroughs to reach Fairtrade status). A steering group comprising representatives of the GLA, Association of London Government, key London businesses, Borough representatives, community organisations and campaigners has been established to monitor and sustain London's move towards achieving Fairtrade status.

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News

August 2005
Five boroughs in London have achieved Fairtrade Borough status but a further 12 are needed for London to qualify as a Fairtrade City. To progress this, businesses, universities, shops and cafés are being encouraged to stock or switch to Fairtrade products to reach the goals set by the Fairtrade Foundation.

March 2005
Two further London boroughs announced at the London Fairtrade Reception that they have achieved Fairtrade Borough status taking the total to five. Kingston and Lewisham have met the criteria set by the Fairtrade Foundation and join the three existing London Fairtrade Boroughs, Croydon, Lambeth and Camden.

January 2005
Three London Boroughs – Croydon, Camden and Lambeth – have already declared as Fairtrade boroughs, and they continue to run active campaigns. In addition, the London School of Economics has become London’s first Fairtrade University, and many other colleges are switching to Fairtrade. There are now Fairtrade campaigns running in 22 further London Boroughs.

Further information

Established in 1994, the Fairtrade Foundation exists to ensure a better deal for marginalised and disadvantaged third world producers. It awards a consumer label, the FAIRTRADE Mark, to products that meet internationally recognised standards of fairtrade. Currently, around 300 products carry the FAIRTRADE Mark including coffee, tea, bananas, chocolate, cocoa, fresh fruits, fruit juices, sugar, honey, jam and sauces, wine, roses and footballs. The Fairtrade Foundation website provides information on why Fairtrade is important, how it works, Fairtrade products and where you can buy them.

Find out more about the Fairtrade Towns campaign by visiting their web site. Information on London's progress to become a Fairtrade City and the Fairtrade Towns campaign can be obtained by contacting the London Fair Trade Campaign

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