Local businesses in Jersey have been asked to support a campaign that, if seen through, will allow Jersey to declare itself a Fairtrade Island. An event was held on the twenty first of October to help raise awareness for the cause. There are currently thirty two Fairtrade cities, towns, zones, districts and Islands in the UK like Stockport and Wiltshire. Another one hundred and forty are waiting for approval. This shows that the scheme is becoming more and more popular across the British Isles. Local Campaigners are currently half way through a two year campaign to make Jersey a Fairtrade Island by late 2005. Four of the five goals have already been met:
- The States have passed a resolution supporting fair trade and have agreed to provide fair trade coffee and tea at its meetings and in its offices and canteens.
- A range of Fairtrade products are readily available in Jersey’s shops.
- The Fairtrade campaign has attracted media coverage and public support.
- The Jersey Fairtrade group has been established to make sure that Jersey gets Fairtrade status.
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The last goal that must be achieved can be helped along by you. Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local businesses, work places and community organisations before Fairtrade Island status can be awarded. At the Town Hall, on 21st of October, food tasting was used to dispel the myths of Fairtrade products being over priced. Coffee, tea and chocolate were available for tasting. The event was also used to show that Fairtrade produce is available in many shops around the Island. Many local businesses went along and many left seriously considering changing to Fairtrade products. The Jersey Christian Aid group are the main organisation behind the scheme to make Jersey a Fairtrade Island. They are keen to point out that small scale farmers in poorer regions of the world are forced to sell their produce to middle men for less than it is worth because they cannot afford to transport it or sell it to big companies directly. The Fairtrade initiative hopes to send the money directly to the farmers and put an end to the unfair treatment. With the farmers receiving the correct amount, they can feed and clothe their children and improve water quality and their crops each year. At the moment Fairtrade coffees are served at Bean Around the World, The Daily Grind, Mange Tout, The Opera House Café and Bagel Bar among others. They are also served at Victoria College at the Bistro Victoria and other outlets. There may well be other participating catering establishments and it is hoped that many more will join the scheme. With things going as they are, there is no reason for Jersey not to declare itself a Fairtrade Island well before the proposed deadline of October 2005.
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If you are a business, and you would like further information, Dave Ellis, Chairman of the Jersey Fairtrade Group, will be happy to answer any queries.
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