Lincoln renews Fairtrade City status

The city of Lincoln has renewed its Fairtrade status for two years after continuing its commitment to promoting Fairtrade throughout the area. Lincoln won Fairtrade status in 2013. To be...

The city of Lincoln has renewed its Fairtrade status for two years after continuing its commitment to promoting Fairtrade throughout the area.

Lincoln won Fairtrade status in 2013. To be recognised in this way, towns or cities must achieve five qualifying goals, including getting shops and cafes to sell and use Fairtrade products and promoting the ethically sourced products within other businesses. There are now more than 600 Fairtrade towns across the UK.

Lincoln gained the status thanks to high levels of support from local partners such as Lincolnshire Co-op, the City of Lincoln Council, the University of Lincoln, faith groups and schools.

The city’s Fairtrade Steering Group revealed its plans to promote Fairtrade to more community groups and businesses in the area by taking part in campaigns, including the nationwide Fairtrade Fortnight at the end of February.

Fairtrade ensures that small-scale farmers, who are often organised in co-operatives, have sustainable long-term contracts. In addition, they earn the Fairtrade Premium, which they invest in projects, chosen democratically by the farmer-owned co-operatives, to benefit their business or community.

“We’re so pleased that Lincoln has renewed its Fairtrade status and laid out clear exciting goals to take Fairtrade further,” said Adam Gardner, communities campaigns manager at the Fairtrade Foundation.

“Thanks to the ongoing support of the public and campaigners, an increasing number of farmers in developing countries are now selling their products on Fairtrade terms, bringing them a stable income and the chance to trade their way out of poverty.”

The city celebrated the achievement with an event at Lincoln Guildhall on 19 August, attended by Cllr Yvonne Bodger, Mayor of Lincoln, and partners from the steering group.

Councillor Gary Hewson, City of Lincoln Council’s Fairtrade spokesperson, said: “It’s fantastic news that Lincoln has once again achieved Fairtrade city status. As a city, we’re passionate about promoting the benefits of Fairtrade products.

“Whether it’s tea or coffee, bananas or wine, it’s massively important that we know we’re purchasing products that have come from an environment that treats its workers fairly and responsibly.

“As an agricultural county we support our national farming industry, but the majority of Fairtrade products cannot be grown in our own country. Therefore as a council we would encourage people to think both locally and globally.”

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