Fairtrade Schools

What is Fairtrade?

Millions of farmers depend on selling their crops to survive, but it’s a risky business. When prices drop it can spell disaster. If farmers earn less money than it costs to run their farm, they face real hardship, struggling to buy food or keep their children in school. They may even lose their land altogether.

Fairtrade makes sure that farmers and producer organisations get a fair and stable price for their products to help them support their families and invest in a better future.

What is a Fairtrade School?

It is a school that is committed to Fairtrade. This means it helps young people understand about how trade works and how to make global trade fairer. It sells and uses Fairtrade products as far as possible, and takes action for Fairtrade in the school and local community.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is actively working with a number of community organisations and businesses within the area to obtain Fairtrade Borough Status for the area. Schools undertaking Fairtrade activities will help to support this goal. Please send photos and information in relation to your activities to stefania.isbell@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Many schools in Cheshire West and Chester carry out Fairtrade activities on an annual basis, with a particular focus for events being Fairtrade Fortnight which this year runs from 22 February – 7 March 2010. View the Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 events.

If you are interested in becoming a Fairtrade School the Fairtrade Foundation has produced an Action Guide. As an additional incentive this year the Fairtrade Foundation are running a competition where you could win £350 towards your Fairtrade work in school. For further details look at the Margaret Demidecka Fairtrade Award 2010 information on the Fairtrade website.

Fairtrade Schools