key strengths - fairtrade

Fairtrade supermarket photo by Marcus Lyons Middlesbrough achieved Fairtrade Town status in March 2007 and we are very proud to have achieved this accolade. We work hard to promote Fairtrade and make Fairtrade products more accessible to our communities.

We see many benefits from Fairtrade in Middlesbrough. Not only does the campaign promote social justice for producers in developing countries, it also demonstrates Middlesbrough's commitment to global issues and helps improve consumer choice, contributing to a vibrant local economy.

In Middlesbrough, the Fairtrade campaign is managed by the Fairtrade Group. The Group finds strong support from all sectors, including public, private and voluntary and community sector organisations. In Middlesbrough there has been excellent support from faith groups – where much of the Fairtrade movement began.

Partners across the town to deliver a diverse and exciting programme of activities throughout the year, with a particular focus on Fairtrade Fortnight in February and March each year.

Fairtrade in Middlesbrough

Fairtrade in Schools

A fundamental part of achieving Fairtrade status in Middlesbrough has been working in partnership with local schools. Pupils have learned more about the campaign for Fairtrade across the world and participated in projects designed to help them and the town they live in become Fairtrade.

In Middlesbrough, schools are promoting Fairtrade in a number of ways.

Fairtrade refreshments are being provided in staff rooms and for meetings. Pupils are being offered Fairtrade goods in tuck shops and Fairtrade is being built into the curriculum. Some schools plan specific events for Fairtrade Fortnight and at least three schools are working towards Fairtrade Schools status.

Teesside University has Fairtrade status, supported by the Students' Union who offer a range of Fairtrade products in their retail and catering outlets.

Fairtrade at Teesside University

Special events

Fairtrade Fortnight 2011

Download: What Is Fairtrade?

What Is Fairtrade Leaflet What Is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.

Learn more in this colourful leaflet from the Fairtrade Foundation.