Fair Trade does what it says on the label - it guarantees a better deal to producers in the developing world. This means a stable price which covers their production costs, along with a premium that their organisation will be able to reinvest either in the business or social and environmental schemes among the wider community.

Too many farmers in the developing world have to contend with fluctuating prices that may not even cover what it costs to produce their crop. So Fairtrade can make a big impact on their day-to-day life. What is a Fairtrade Town?

A Fairtrade Town is a community that has made a commitment to supporting Fairtrade. The purpose of a Fairtrade Town is to contribute to the Fairtrade Foundation's aim of tackling poverty by enabling disadvantaged producers from developing countries to receive a better deal, through encouraging support for the Fairtrade mark.

How To Become A Fairtrade Town

1. Local council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and agrees to serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in its offices and canteens.
2. A range of (at least two) Fairtrade products are readily available in the area's shops. Fairtrade products are served in local cafes/catering establishments. It should be easy for local people to find Fairtrade products as they do their everyday shopping. There are suggested targets. Retail stockists could include a selection of health and whole food shops, supermarkets or fair trade shops. Target for number of retail outlets: population < 200,000 1 retail outlet per 5,000. Therefore in Ashford (town) we would be aiming at 12 outlets. Target for number of catering outlets: population <200,000 1 catering outlet per 10,000. Therefore we would be aiming at 6 outlets.
3. Fairtrade products are used by a number of local work places (estate agents, hairdressers etc) and community organisations (churches, schools etc)
4. Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign. For the press, the story can be revived as each goal is achieved, organising a big splash for the Fairtrade endorsement ceremony, and developing a strategy to keep it in the news long after. This will also enable local businesses and organisations to benefit from their involvement.
5. A local Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade status. This should ideally include a council representative, campaigners and people representing the area's schools, churches and businesses. The group is responsible for an annual assessment to monitor whether the area is continuing to meet the five goals. The group organises special events for Fairtrade Fortnight in March each year.

How Are We Doing?

The Ashford Fairtrade Steering Group is working to raise awareness of the importance of Fairtrade amongst the businesses, schools and churches in Ashford and amongst the population of the town as a whole in order to achieve goals two and three detailed in How to Become a Fairtrade Town. The group is organising events to promote Fairtrade, particularly during the annual Fairtrade Fortnight.

On 16 December 2004 the council formally adopted a Resolution in support of, and to promote the principles of Fairtrade in the Borough. The council agreed:

• To welcome the initiatives by Ashford Fairtrade Town Steering Group to encourage the use of Fairtrade goods.
• To assist voluntary groups in distributing publicity and educational material concerning fair trade issues and opportunities for supporting fair trade in the area to:
     - Council employees
     - The people of Ashford
     - Local businesses
• To use Fairtrade goods (except where a locally produced alternative is available) when catering for Council meetings and functions.
• To encourage the use of Fairtrade goods by council catering contractors where possible (except where a locally produced alternative is available).

Ashford has now achieved three of the five goals necessary to become a Fairtrade Town.

Watch this space for details of forthcoming events and progress with the campaign.