Fairtrade celebrates its 30th anniversary

This year marks the 30th anniversary since Fairtrade certified coffee, tea and chocolate were first launched in the UK.

Nowadays, more than 6,000 Fairtrade products – from cotton to gold, bananas to footballs, wine, flowers and beauty products – provide sustainable livelihoods for more than 2 million farmers and workers.

Buying products with the Fairtrade logo makes a huge difference in developing countries by ensuring fairer prices for farmers and producers, and providing opportunities for their families.

Buying fairly traded items also helps their communities invest in schools, health clinics, clean water and environmental protection.

Fairtrade shopping is widely supported in Glossopdale where more than half the people in a local poll said they buy Fairtrade items every week, and a further one in four do so at least once a month. 

Such support lifts communities across the developing world out of poverty and provides life-changing opportunities for their children.

Nationwide, Glossopdale has been recognised as a beacon of support for Fairtrade since 2010. Campaigners organise activities to inspire young people to learn about Fairtrade, as well as hosting stalls and events where Fairtrade products can be sampled.

Glossopdale’s national award has now been extended to 2026 by the Fairtrade Foundation, which oversees the Fairtrade movement in the UK.

The Fairtrade Foundation rates Glossopdale as an outstanding example of community engagement, especially with children of primary school age through its annual Fairtrade competition.

This year’s competition invites children to design a birthday card to celebrate 30 years of Fairtrade. Competition details have been sent to schools to pass onto their children and families. 

Recently, local campaigners gave copies of the book ‘Fairtrade First’ by Sarah Ridley to all 14 primary schools in Glossopdale.

Beautifully illustrated, this book tells the story of Fairtrade and how it helps people, with quotes from farmers and producers. A copy of the book was also given to Glossop library.

Chris Nudds, chair of Glossopdale Fairtrade Group, added: “Fairtrade is the most trusted ethical label in the UK. Over the years we’ve received fantastic support from local business leaders and shopkeepers as well as community groups, schools, churches, and High Peak councillors.”

“We would encourage children and their families to take part in this year’s competition and look forward to seeing many of them at the prize giving and coffee morning planned for Saturday, March 16 when Padfield School Choir will sing.”