Town aims for Fairtrade status

RESIDENTS and businesses are being asked to back a bid to turn Stevenage into a Fairtrade town. The borough council is behind the campaign and wants people to help the town meet the requirements. These include at least two Fairtrade products being readil

RESIDENTS and businesses are being asked to back a bid to turn Stevenage into a Fairtrade town.

The borough council is behind the campaign and wants people to help the town meet the

requirements.

These include at least two Fairtrade products being readily available in shops and served in cafes and restaurants and Fairtrade products being used by a number of work places and community organisations.

Fairtrade - an independent body based in the UK - aims to ensure that people in developing countries who make goods sold in this country get a price that fairly rewards their work.

Cllr Sharon Taylor, chair of the Fairtrade steering group, said: "The council is increasing its commitment to Fairtrade and we want to encourage other organisations to join with us by using Fairtrade products and supporting businesses that stock or serve them."

A directory will be published later this year containing contact details of people and businesses that supply, sell or use Fairtrade products.

If you would like to be included, for free, in the Fairtrade directory, call 01438 242392 or email

fair-trade@stevenage.gov.uk

For more information on Fairtrade, visit www.fairtrade. org.uk