Our council leader John Hart and Cabinet Member for Organisational Development, Councillor Andrew Saywell met the Chief Executive of the Fairtrade Foundation Michael Gidney as part of his whistle-stop tour of Devon this week.
Devon has been a Fairtrade County since 2008, renewing accreditation every two or three years.
Fairtrade Devon co-ordinates activities in the 15 Fairtrade towns across Devon, plus the University of Exeter.
Michael spent two days to see for himself how the county and Devon County Council is supporting Fairtrade and in turn farmers and producers around the world.
Since 2008. Fairtrade Devon has invited producers to visit the county as guests, explaining the very real and positive impact which being a Fairtrade member has on their lives and communities.
Sue Errington, Co-ordinator of Fairtrade Devon said:
“We are delighted that Michael is taking the time to visit us and find out how we operate.
“He is just back from Ghana, so we will be interested to find out more about how cocoa growers are faring with the cost-of-living crises worldwide.”
Councillor John Hart , Leader of devon county Council, said:
“It was a pleasure to meet Michael and Sue today and it gave us an opportunity to learn more about their more recent projects.
“I’m proud that Devon is a certified Fairtrade council, this means that we prioritise using their goods within our organisation, such as the tea and coffee we serve.
“Devon is an agricultural county that has always supported and valued farming, wherever it may be, and that’s why we still have an extensive farms estate. We have 65 tenanted farms and can offer young people with their first opportunity to get into agriculture when tenancies become available.
“I fully support Fairtrade and I encourage everyone in Devon to consider switching to their products where possible.
“It helps farmers and producers all over the world and often it is no more expensive to buy Fairtrade.
“The quality is excellent, and they are produced to organic standards.”
