FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 2013 ACTIVITIES
Fairtrade Fortnight 2013 in Poole proved to be a huge success, with lots of great
events taking place across the Borough. At least 15 events took place across a
variety of establishments. Here’s a summary of some of the activities.
Fairtrade Taste Test Sessions
Thanks to the kind generosity of the local supermarkets ASDA, Tesco and the CoOperative, we were able to host a number of taste test sessions to encourage people
to try Fairtrade Mark products and raise awareness about the campaign for Fairtrade
Town status.
In partnership with Chaplaincy Wessex and Transition Poole, we were able to host
sessions at:
- Civic Centre (Weds 27th Feb)
- Dolphin Centre (Weds 6th March)
- Bournemouth & Poole College (Thurs 7th March)
In total, we reached over 500 people. And any leftover products were taken to the
local day centre and shared with the wider community.
Councillor Judes Butt,
Mark Philips
(Chaplaincy Wessex)
and Jan Gould (Tesco)
at the Fairtrade Taste
Test event in the Civic
Centre
Products available to taste included:
A range of chocolates - Kit Kats (3 flavours – orange, milk, dark), Cadburys
Dairy Milk, Green & Blacks and specialist ranges such as the Co-Operative
Truly Irresistible Range and ASDA’s Extra Special range.
Fairtrade Bananas
Geo Bars
Pineapples and oranges
n
Hot drinks – Tesco Finest Tea, Percol Americano Filter coffee, Decaf options,
Cadburys Hot Chocolate (available at the Civic Centre event only)
Cllr Judes Butt, Portfolio Holder for
Public Engagement Participation
and Communities enthusiastically
encouraged shoppers to try all the
samples and said
“It was great fun brandishing a 5ft
Fairtrade inflatable banana, it
certainly got people’s attention and
raised a smile or two as well as
awareness of the Fairtrade ethos
and principles. The work to establish
Poole as a Fairtrade Town goes
from strength to strength, thanks to
our communities supporting their
products we are getting closer to
achieving this goal"
Councillor Judes Butt, Gwyn Jones (Transition
Poole), Hilary Evans & Amy Gallacher (Community
Strategy Team, Borough of Poole) at the Dolphin
Centre for Fairtrade Fortnight
Overall Feedback:
Tasters not realising that big brands such as KitKats and Cadbury’s chocolate are
Fairtrade and the mainstream product availability.
Prior to tasting session, we had feedback that people didn’t like the taste of
Fairtrade tea and coffee. At the event, we were having people come back for
refills!
Overcame some perception issues about price and that Fairtrade products were
more expensive
Many said they already bought Fairtrade bananas but the sessions enabled us to
encourage them to try more Fairtrade products and raised awareness of the
range of products.
Handed out the Fairtrade survey for the campaign to become a Fairtrade Town.
Also heard about Fairtrade activities that are taking place in the local community,
particularly in schools.
“I was delighted with the positive response we received about Fairtrade and the
campaign for a Fairtrade Poole. Many more people than I expected –
across all age ranges - are committed to supporting the principles of “fair trade” by
regularly buying Fairtrade products.”
Gwyn Jones from Transition Poole
Reaching out to young people
Many of the local schools were involved in Fairtrade projects as part of their
curriculum, and visitors to the stands were collecting leaflets to help their children
with their projects. School assemblies talked about Fairtrade and local group DEED
and Bridging Communities provided presentations at some of the schools.
Canford Heath Middle School, which has Fairtrade school status, also hosted a
Fairtrade Dorset Tea event after school, which was a great success.
Bournemouth University hosted a Fairtrade Fair and had stalls by Ben & Jerrys,
Cadburys, LUSH, Co-Operative, Starbucks, Liberty. BU Baking Association and BU
footballers were also taking part and raising awareness about the range of Fairtrade
products available. (Tues 26th Feb)
Youth clubs shared the story behind a Fairtrade banana and Fairtrade recipes. A
local scouts group also had a project over several weeks to raise awareness for
Fairtrade and made recipes using Fairtrade products.
Other activities
Cafe 34 designed an eye catching Fairtrade
window display for the fortnight using Fairtrade
Fortnight marketing leaflets. Cafe 34 sells
Fairtrade drinks throughout the year.
Poole Housing Partnership
hosted a Fairtrade lunch
event offering samples and
showing films showing the
positive impact of Fairtrade,
which was attended by
around 30 people.
“It is really encouraging to see businesses of all different sizes getting involved in the
Fair-trade awareness and we are fully supportive of this campaign. It is important
that businesses know how they can get involved as it may be something as easy as
swapping to Fair-trade tea bags in the office” stated Lucy Cooper, President, Poole
Chamber of Trade and Commerce.
Oakdale Library had an exhibition that included a Fairtrade coffee morning with
products donated by Waitrose. Councillor Judy Butt and the Mayor attended the
event and coverage appeared in the Echo.
A display was held in Poole central library about Fairtrade. The Quaker Group
also displayed materials at their local meeting place.
Traidcraft stalls were also held at local churches during the fortnight.
Becoming a Fairtrade Town shows Poole’s commitment to supporting Fairtrade and
using products with the FAIRTRADE Mark. Poole’s prosperity was based on the
wool and cod trade with Canada – two of the first industries with global connections.
Poole has a long history of campaigning for global justice and has a strong belief in
fairness for all. To find out more about the campaign for a Fairtrade Poole, visit
http://www.poolepartnership.info/fairtradeinpoole