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ALL ABOARD THE ‘CHOOSE FAIRTRADE BUS’ DURING FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 2008

Fairtrade Towns across the UK will get a visit from the ‘Choose Fairtrade Bus’ during this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight (25 February – 9 March).

The Choose Fairtrade bus will visit communities across the UK that have made a collective commitment to choose Fairtrade. The bus will begin its journey at the launch of Fairtrade Fortnight on London’s South Bank before stopping at Ipswich, Leeds, Sunderland, Glasgow, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol, Middlesbrough, Durham, Carlisle, Garstang, Stoke-on-Trent, Lichfield and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The theme of Fairtrade Fortnight 2008 is Change Today, Choose Fairtrade and passengers who hop on the specially adapted open-top campaign bus will be learn more about Fairtrade in the on-board cinema and, through interactive displays and activities. Live music performances, discussions and competitions have been organised by the Fairtrade Towns groups to welcome the Fairtrade Bus in town.

When the bus pulls into Ipswich, the Mayor will be presented with Ipswich’s Fairtrade Town Certificate. The town recently became a Fairtrade Town and is hosting a Fairtrade Bazaar with stalls and tasting sessions. Local children will join in the fun with a Fairtrade treasure hunt organised by the local Cooperative store, and have the opportunity to play the giant Trade Justice board game.

Bruce Crowther, the Fairtrade Towns Co-ordinator will jump aboard at Garstang, the UK’s first Fairtrade Town. He says: “The bus will travel to some of the many towns, cities and communities who have come together to change the lives of farmers and workers in the developing world. Fairtrade is already making a big difference to the lives of more than seven million people in the developing world, but there are millions more we’d like to reach. With the Choose Fairtrade Bus we aim to drive change across the UK and we need as many people as possible to jump on board!”

Communities across the country, including around 320 Fairtrade Towns, will take part in more than 10,000 planned activities during Fairtrade Fortnight, the Fairtrade Foundation’s annual campaign which brings together producers, campaigners, retailers, licensees and NGOs in a nationwide effort to promote products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark.

Since Fairtrade Fortnight 2007, the network of Fairtrade Towns, Cities, Boroughs, Counties, Islands and Zones has increased. Almost 100 locations have gained Fairtrade status since last year, including Tunbridge Wells, Stockton-on-Tees, Rutland, the Isle of Thanet, Queensferry in Edinburgh, and Newport in Wales. Around 20 places will declare their Fairtrade status during Fairtrade Fortnight. Check www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved_fairtrade_towns.htm.

Events taking place include Fairtrade fashion shows and football matches, breakfasts and banquets, tea dances and supermarket tastings. For more information of events in your region go to www.fairtrade.org.uk and just click on the events button – the calendar is searchable by region and by date.

Celebrity supporters taking part in regional activities include Radio One DJ Sara Cox who will be supporting activities in Bolton which is celebrating five years as a Fairtrade Town. More than 4,000 Fairtrade Churches, 35 Fairtrade Synagogues, 60 Fairtrade Universities and a newly launched network of Fairtrade Schools, will also be campaigning to support and promote Fairtrade in their local area during Fortnight.


Aspiring cooks across the UK have contributed to The Fairtrade Everyday Cookbook, through a public competition launched last Fairtrade Fortnight. The book which has been edited by leading food writer and TV chef Sophie Grigson, pulls together 150 mouth-watering new recipes using delicious Fairtrade ingredients. High-profile chefs and celebrities including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Antony Worrall Thompson and Steve Redgrave have contributed. As well as showing readers how easy it is to eat Fairtrade foods every day and at every meal, the book introduces individual producers from around the world, giving an insight into how their communities have benefited from Fairtrade.

Michelle Swann, from Doncaster in South Yorkshire has her recipe for Cookie Feast Pizza in the book. Michelle says: “My interest in Fairtrade grew because I am passionate about fairness for everyone, but especially those that are more vulnerable than others. I work in the community and voluntary sector where I feel I can make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged people. I use ethical Fairtrade products where possible and I am absolutely delighted that my recipe was chosen to be in the Fairtrade book.”
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For more information please contact Eileen Maybin or Martine Julseth at the Fairtrade Foundation at eileen.maybin@fairtrade.org.uk ; martine.julseth@fairtrade.org.uk; or faith.mall@fairtrade.org.uk call 020 7440 7695/07770 957 451
Notes to Editors
1. More than 3,000 products have been licensed to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark. The FAIRTRADE Mark is the only independent consumer label that ensures farmers in developing countries receive an agreed and stable price for the crops they grow that covers the cost of sustainable production, as well as additional income for farmers and workers to invest in the future. Retail sales of Fairtrade certified products topped £290 million in 2006 and have grown 40% year-on-year over the past five years. Awareness levels of the FAIRTRADE Mark among the UK population reached their highest level last year at 57% (TNS Omnimas).
2. The full range of more than 3,000 Fairtrade certified products now includes coffee, tea, herbal teas, chocolate, cocoa, sugar, bananas, grapes, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, apples, pears, lemons, oranges, satsumas, lychees, coconuts, dried fruit, juices, smoothies, biscuits, cakes & snacks, honey, jams, chutney & sauces, rice, quinoa, herbs & spices, seeds, nuts & nut oil, wines, beer, rum, confectionary, muesli, yoghurt, ice-cream, flowers, sports balls, sugar body scrub and cotton products including clothing, homewear, cloth toys and cotton wool.
3. The Choose Fairtrade Bus Tour dates are as follows:
24 Feb (Sun 11.00- 16.00) Riverside Walk, South Bank, London SE1 (Nr Gabriel’s Wharf)
26 Feb (Tues) Ipswich
28 Feb (Thurs) Leeds
29 Feb (Fri 11.00-12.00) Middlesbrough
29 Feb (Fri 13.30-14.30) Durham
1 Mar (Sat) Carlisle
1 Mar (Sat) Sunderland
2 Mar (Sun) Glasgow
3 Mar (Mon) Garstang
4 Mar (Tues) Liverpool
5 Mar (Wed 11-13.05) Stoke-on-Trent
5 Mar (Wed 14.30 – 15.30) Lichfield
6 Mar (Thurs) Birmingham
8 Mar (Sat) Cardiff
9 Mar (Sun) Bristol
4. Fairtrade Fortnight 2008 is supported by ActionAid, Banana Link, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Methodist Relief Development Fund, the Mothers’ Union, National Federation of Women’s Institutes, Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign, Oxfam, People & Planet, Public & Commercial Services Union, SCIAF, Shared Interest Foundation, Soroptimist GBI, Tearfund, Traidcraft Exchange, the United Reformed Church, and the World Development Movement.