Fairtrade at St John's

St John's Church, Woodbridge, is an official Fairtrade Church.  This means we have proven ourselves to be committed to the use and promotion of Fairtrade products.  All our kitchens have Fairtrade products in them, and we serve Fairtrade tea and coffee after our church services.

We also hold a Fairtrade coffee morning twice a year;  Café Olé in May, and Café Noel in December.  These give local people a chance to come together, enjoy a purely social event and learn more about the issues of fair trade and the inequalities our world is plagued with.

Fairtrade is just one of many ways in which we can help those much less fortunate than ourselves, giving them the chance to work their way out of poverty instead of having to rely on charity.

You can find out more about Fairtrade and the issues it tackles by going to the UK's Fairtrade Foundation Web site - www.fairtrade.org.uk.

Fairtrade In Woodbridge

In February 2008, Woodbridge was awarded the status of Fairtrade Town. To become a Fairtrade Town, Woodbridge had to meet these five targets:

1. Local Council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade and agrees to serve it in meetings, offices and canteens.
2. Range of Fairtrade products to be available in shops and catering establishments.
3. Fairtrade products used by a number of local workplaces and community organisations.
4. Evidence of media coverage is required to demonstrate raising of awareness in local community.
5. Steering group to be convened to ensure continued commitment.

A group of people from St John’s, other local churches and members of the community started working on these goals back in 2004. This involved speaking with local businesses and shop owners, promoting Fairtrade around the town and lobbying local councillors.

By the end of 2007 all five goals had been comfortably exceeded and Woodbridge’s first application for Fairtrade Town status was submitted. Approval soon followed and the good news was announced during Fairtrade Fortnight 2008.

Fairtrade For Woodbridge continues to promote Fairtrade in Woodbridge, running occasional Fairtrade events and going into schools. Look out, especially, for their activities during Fairtrade Fortnight every March.

For more information the campaign website can be found at
www.fairtradeforwoodbridge.org.uk
or you can email info[at]fairtradeforwoodbridge.org[dot]uk.