“The people of Devon have made a massive difference to the lives of millions of farmers and producers across the world,” says our lead member for Fairtrade, today, the start of Fairtrade Fortnight, as the county marks it fourteenth year as a Fairtrade county.
Devon has successfully renewed it Fairtrade status for each of the last 14 years, by promoting and encouraging people where they can to choose Fairtrade goods to support food producers across the world.
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working wages and conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers.
By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices to farmers and food producers, which must never fall lower than the market prices, Fairtrade enables the poorest and weakest producers to improve their position, and have more control over their lives.
This year, Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs until Sunday 12 March, is highlighting the urgent threat to the future of the foods we love and the livelihoods of the people who grow them, as they face the worst effects of the climate crisis.
According to the Fairtrade Foundation, food such as coffee, bananas and chocolate could become more difficult to buy due to climate change.
The current financial crisis is also taking a heavy toll on many people who are struggling to make ends meet, particularly so for smallholder farmers and workers, with the costs of fuel, fertiliser and food all increasing beyond what is affordable.
Our lead Member for Fairtrade, Councillor Andrew Saywell says :
“In the 14 years Devon has been a Fairtrade County, the people of Devon have made a massive difference to the lives of millions of farmers and producers across the world.
“Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers the world over.
“Many of these goals reflect that of Devon’s Climate Emergency and as we go forward, even in the current cost of living crisis, remaining mindful of Fairtrade principles, and where possible making small acts and changes to our behaviour, can help make a difference.
“I hope our continued support for Fairtrade will lead us to a truly sustainable future, both in Devon and across the world.”
Events are being held across Devon to mark Fairtrade Fortnight, and the public are invited to attend.
| Event | Venue | Tickets and contact details |
| Fairtrade lunchTuesday 28 February, at 12.30/1pm | URC Church, 1 Russell St, Tavistock PL19 8BD | Open to all |
| Cream tea event with Rwandan visitorsTuesday 28 February 4.30pm – 5.30pm | Salvation Army Hall, Sheppard’s Row, Exmouth | Open to all. Come and join us |
| Afternoon Cream Tea to meet Rwandan Coffee FarmersWednesday 1st March 3pm -4.30pm | Riverside Community Centre Bovey Tracey (next to the main Car Park) | Free Entry, but a ticket will be required.Tickets from: s.oldrieve@btinternet.com01626 830052 |
| Trowbridge Fairtrade Town Group eventPublicity event with banner displayed, film, literature, display boards, refreshments.Friday 3 March 10am – 1pm | The Foyer at the Civic Centre, Trowbridge | Open to all – no cost |
| Highlighting 3 “endangered products”: coffee, cocoa and bananas. Displays by two local schools and Fairtrade refreshments,Saturday 4 March 10am – 12pm | Pill Precinct, Easton in Gordano | Open to all |
| Coffee morning with the Deputy Lord MayorSaturday 4 March 10am – 2pm | Exeter Guildhall | All welcome |
| Coffee Morning and Fairtrade displaySaturday 4 March 10.30am-12.30pm | Sidmouth Library | All welcome |
| Fairtrade Coffee MorningSaturday 4 March 10am – 12pm | Glenorchy Church Hall, Exeter Road, Exmouth EX8 1PL | All welcome |
| ‘Fairtrade on the Minister Green’Saturday 4 March 10am – 2pm | The Minister Green, Wimborne | All welcome – free chocolate, a smoothie bike and a stall from the town’s Fairtrade shop. |
| Social Evening with our Rwandan guests from Twongerekawa Coko Women’s Fairtrade Coffee Co-operativeBring & Share meal and Rwandan coffee tasting.Saturday 4 March 6pm – 9pm | Kennford, EX6 7TZ | Book via Eventbrite to receive details of the venue or email dde@globalcentredevon.org.uk |
| Fairtrade Church ServiceSunday 5 March 10:30am | Fairplace Methodist Church Okehampton | All welcome |
| Fairtrade Community Feast (Bring and Share) with Rwandan visitorsSunday 5 March 12pm – 3pm | The Ockment Centre Hall, Okehampton | Free event – all welcome |
| Fairtrade Coffee morningMonday 6 March 10am – 12pm | Tavistock Library, The Quay, Plymouth Rd, Tavistock PL19 8AB | All welcome |
| Co-operative Party Fairtrade eventMonday 6 March 8pm | By Zoom | Contact dde@globalcentredevon.org.uk for Zoom link |
| Afternoon tea with Rwandan visitorsTuesday 7 March 3pm | The Strand Centre, Dawlish | All welcome |
| A Celebration of Fairtrade in Ivybridge with our guests from Twongerekawa Coko coffee cooperative in Rwanda and Owen’s Coffee Roastery in IvybridgeWednesday 8 March 6pm -7:30pm | Ivybridge Town Hall | Free event – all welcome. To book, email info@owenscoffee.com |
| Reception with councillors, shop owners and Fairtrade group members.Friday 10 March 3pm | The Guildhall, Totnes. | All welcome |
| Dawlish Fairtrade Friends ConcertFriday 10 March 7:30pm (doors from 7pm) | The Strand Centre, Dawlish | Tickets £7 from The Strand Centre (ticket prices includes Fairtrade refreshments – tea/coffee/wine/snacks) |
| Coffee morning with the MayorSaturday 11 March 10.30am -12.30pm | Town Council Chambers, Falmouth | All welcome – no charge |
| Fairtrade Coffee morning, publicity and fundraising eventSaturday 11 March | Chair’s house, Trowbridge | Open to all.Contact Lyndsey Wright via lyndsey_wright1@btinternet.com for details. |
| International Women’s Day eventSaturday 11 March 11am – 4pm | The Phoenix, Exeter | All welcome |
| Church service followed by Fairtrade refreshmentsSunday 12 March 10am | St James Church, Mount Pleasant Road, Exeter EX4 7AH | All welcome |