Fair trading
Maidstone is a Fairtrade Borough and has
been awarded this status by the Fairtrade Foundation for its
commitment to Fairtrade.
Maidstone’s Fairtrade Steering Committee has
been actively promoting Fairtrade across the Borough since its
inception three years ago. In order to achieve Fairtrade
status Maidstone had to achieve five goals:
- A resolution by the Borough Council to
support Fairtrade,
- A range of Fairtrade products sold and served
in Maidstone (30 cafes and 21 shops sell Fairtrade in
Maidstone),
- Fairtrade used by businesses and community
groups (15 businesses, 22 churches, 44 schools, 2 community
groups),
- Media coverage,
- Convening a steering group
Stuart Jeffery, chair of Maidstone Fairtrade
Steering Committee: “We are very pleased that Maidstone has earned
Fairtrade Borough status, this is a real testament to the hard work
by the members of Fairtrade Committee and by the many supporters of
Fairtrade in Maidstone. Achieving Fairtrade Borough status is a
great honour and demonstrates that the people of Maidstone care
about the wider world.
“The Fairtrade label means that both small
farmers and workers on farms and in factories get a fair pay for
their work. It also ensure that factories meet health and safety
standards, minimum environmental standards and allow workers to
join unions. Buying Fairtrade is an excellent way of showing
respect for others.
“We will continue to promote Fairtrade across
the Borough and look forward to Fairtrade becoming the only way to
trade!”
The Fair Trade Steering
Group
If you would like to be involved with
the work of the Maidstone Borough Fairtrade Steering Group, would
like more information on retail and catering outlets that serve
Fairtrade, or if you are a business that would like to register
your commitment to Fairtrade, then please contact:
Telephone: 01622 602795
Email: communityservices@maidstone.gov.uk
Useful links
Maidstone Borough Fair
Trade Steering Group Website