MAKING LUTON A FAIRTRADE TOWN

Luton Council of Faiths with its leading partner organisation Grassroots (a Christian ecumenical organisation working with different faith communities in Luton) is working towards 'Making Luton a Fairtrade Town'. Members from different faiths and non-faiths have formed a steering group which meets regularly and makes strategic decisions to reach the goal of 'Making Luton a Fairtrade Town'.

Since its setting up in February 2007, the group has held regular events especially the Fairtrade Fortnight(s) to raise awareness of economic justice through fairly traded goods. The Steering Group encourages Lutonians to think globally and act locally.

What is Fairtrade?

Fair Trade  is an alternative approach to conventional international trade. It is a trading partnership which aims at sustainable development for excluded and disadvantaged producers. It seeks to do this by providing better trading conditions, by awareness raising and by campaigning.

The FAIRTRADE Mark on products guarantees that disadvantaged farmers and workers in the developing world are getting a better deal.

Buying Fairtrade Products & their Origins

Over 3,000 products carry the FAIRTRADE Mark - Some are : Footballs (Pakistan),
Cotton  (Gujarat, Cameroon & Mali), Tea & Coffee (India, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Uganda,  Tanzania, Costa Rica, Ethopia etc.), Cocoa & Pineapples (Ghana),Olive oil (Palestine), Vegatables & Roses (Kenya), Bananas (Dominica, St Louisa , St Vincent etc.), Fruits (Apples, Mangoes, Citrus ,Oranges, Grapes & Dried fruits) (South Africa, Burkina Faso, Pakistan, etc), Beauty products (Ghana, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Peru etc.), Rice (Tahiland & india), Sugar (Malawi & Paraguay), Honey (Nicaragua) etc.

You are encouraged to buy  products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark in supermakets, shops (Fair Deal Word Shop, 605, Hitchin Road), local stores, in cafes, restaurants,
bars, from catering suppliers, by mail order and online.

‘Making Luton a Fairtrade Town’ – What has happened so far?                                                    

· A multi faith multi cultural Steering Group working since 2007 (Volunteers Welcome!)
· 1st Asian catering outlet in the Region – ‘Coffee Pot’ & ‘Buffet Lounge’ in Bury Park
· 1st African-Caribbean ‘Empress Cafe’ in Luton Central Library
· 1st Fairtrade Hindu Temple in the UK – ‘Shree Sanathan Sewa Samaj Mandir’
· 1st Fairtrade Mosque in the Region and 2nd in the UK – ‘Madina Masjid’
· 1st Fairtrade ‘Mandip Mudhar Memorial Football Tournament’ in Luton
· Plus series of events with a Fairtrade touch e.g.
         Peace Walk, Evening of Jokes, Inter Faith Week, One World Week,
         Cultural Food Festival, LBC’s Neighbourhood Governance Area Festivals,
         Talks in Schools, Fairtrade Campaigns in University of Bedfordshire,
         London Luton Airport, L & D Hospital etc
                                                           

Find out more on www.fairtrade.org.uk  and get involved        
locally to contribute towards making your town fairtrade.
Contact: David Jonathan (Johny)
GRASSROOTS, 47, High Town Road, Luton LU2 0BW
01582-416946 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                                                            

The Fairtrade Mark