{"id":44,"date":"2023-07-12T09:23:54","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T08:23:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fairtradeforwoodbridge.org.uk\/wordpress\/?page_id=44"},"modified":"2026-09-24T15:03:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T14:03:24","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.fairtradeforwoodbridge.org.uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Fairtrade Fortnight continues until 4 October – please look out for all the displays around town and choose to buy Fairtrade products where you can, thus showing a commitment to making life fairer for the poorly paid farmers and producers overseas who grow our daily essentials like tea and coffee.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\"\"
\n

Today is the beginning of Fairtrade Fortnight when we highlight the people overseas who grow our favourite and essential drinks and foods, like coffee, tea, cocoa and bananas. The focus is on being fair to those people; helping them to be paid fairly – and as we all become increasingly aware of the damage from climate change making growing conditions more and more unpredictable; treating the planet fairly. We have a Fairtrade Fortnight display in Woodbridge Library until Sunday 27th September, and several shops in Woodbridge stock Fairtrade goods and have special displays. Please try choosing the Fairtrade option whenever you can . . .<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\"\"\"\"
<\/div>
\n

<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

We had a lot of Fairtrade conversations yesterday at the Regatta and a raffle for two Fairtrade prizes. We were \u00a0near the Model Boating Pond and Tea Hut – if you missed us and want to find out more please email us . . .<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\"\"
\n

It’s Woodbridge Regatta on Sunday 19th July and we’ll be there. Come and talk to us . . . we’ll be near the Model Boating Pond and Tea Hut.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\"\"
\n

We’re celebrating the renewal for the next three years of our Fairtrade Community status !!<\/h3>\n

\u00a0A lot of hard work has gone into this, and many of the town’s interest groups have signed up to serving Fairtrade refreshments at their meetings. Several outlets in the town carry Fairtrade goods. Fairtrade supports producers by paying them a fair, consistent price so they in turn can afford education and healthcare. By regularly purchasing Fairtrade, you are helping people overseas who produce items we cannot grow in the UK. These producers are often at the forefront of climate change.<\/h3>\n

We would love you to join us in making Woodbridge a place where more and more people are interested in learning how we can ensure better prices and fairer trade terms for producers who work hard to grow goods that we can’t, like tea, coffee, chocolate and bananas.<\/h3>\n

So next time you enjoy a cup of coffee, choose Fairtrade and do your bit for others!<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\"\"
<\/div>

St Mary’s shop on Market Hill create such brilliant window displays, and they always stock lots of Fairtrade goods. These recent photos of the shop windows show Easter designs.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"

We recently welcomed lots of our new supporter groups who’ve sampled the Fairtrade tea and coffee we provide with our ‘starter packs’ to a celebratory coffee and cake morning in Woodbridge Shire Hall. Chris gave a presentation on the new developments and campaigns being organised by new CEO Eleanor Harrison and her team at the Fairtrade Foundation.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"

We launched our Woodbridge Dark Chocolate Bar at the Christmas Street Fair today and we’d \u00a0SOLD OUT by 1pm. \u00a0We’ll be ordering more so watch this space to check out who will be our local stockists of this delicious Fairtrade chocolate.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"\"\"

We’ll be launching our Woodbridge Dark Chocolate Bar tomorrow at the Christmas Street Fair. It’s 72% dark and it’s FAIRTRADE chocolate! Come and buy this delicious, ‘Woodbridge’ product. It will make a special souvenir stocking filler or just add a touch of luxury!<\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"\"\"

Fairtrade for Woodbridge will have a stand in Quay Street on Sunday 7 December. \u00a0We’ll be alongside local food producers in the area organised by Transition Woodbridge. \u00a0Come and say ‘hello’.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"
\n
\n

Many farmers are at risk from the impacts of unfair trade in the face of climate change. During Fairtrade Fortnight there’ll be lots of delicious Fairtrade foods and other goodies to look out for in local shops, and by buying Fairtrade we are ‘doing it fair’ by helping farmers in far away countries that grow some of the UK’s most loved food and drink products – including coffee, tea and chocolate – to earn a decent living.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\"\"

We had a lovely day at the Local Food & Drink Festival yesterday – so many delicious products on offer. Thank you to Transition Woodbridge for organising a great event.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"

We’ll have a stand at the Local Food & Drink Festival in Woodbridge Community Hall on Saturday 20 September – come and see us there . . .<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"

The weather was perfect for the Regatta last Sunday and we joined in with the nautical theme showing flags from many of the countries where tea, coffee and cocoa are grown. Lots of people stopped for a chat and we had four raffle prize winners. \u00a0It seems that most people have heard of Fairtrade, some more than others.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"

Did you come and see the brilliant “Hop To It” Hare on the Market Hill this weekend? It was part of the fabulous Craft Fair in the Shire Hall and Market Square. The Fair Trade Shop from Ipswich had a stall selling Fairtrade foods and fairly traded crafts.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"

We’ll have a stall at Woodbridge Regatta on Sunday 29 June – on Ferry Quay near the Harbour Master’s Office – come and see us . . .<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"

An ever growing number of groups and organisations in Woodbridge are supporting the town in its drive to show the importance of the Fairtrade for Woodbridge<\/em> <\/strong>message. We can all be the change<\/em> to help farmers who are at risk from the impacts of unfair trade in the face of climate change in parts of the world where some of the UK’s most loved food and drink products – including coffee, tea and chocolate – are grown.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"

Save the date . . . on Saturday 19 April between 10.30am and 12.30pm there’ll be an exciting Easter Egg Hunt on Woodbridge Riverside. See poster below. The Easter Eggs are FAIRTRADE<\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"

There were loads of good conversations on Sunday about “Be the Change” and “Swap your Cuppa”. The inflatable cuppa\/mug has a slow puncture and lots of children as well as adults helped to keep it blown-up!\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"

We’ll have a Fairtrade stall at Woodbridge Christmas Fair on Sunday \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 1 December. \u00a0<\/strong>Come and talk to us – we’ll be in Quay Street<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"
\n
\n

Patrick Kaberia, Fairtrade tea farmer from Kenya and Patron of SAFT (Suffolk Association of Fairtrade Towns) joined us on the penultimate day of Fairtrade Fortnight to talk to a group of supporters interested in learning how we can ensure better prices and fairer trade terms for producers in the developing world who work hard to grow goods that we can’t, like tea, coffee, chocolate and bananas.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\"\"\"\"
\n
\n

Celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight at the Harvest Fair on Saturday 14th September. We had lovely neighbours – Transition Woodbridge on one side and The Oak Tree farm on the other. It was a great event.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\"\"
\n
\n

Fairtrade for Woodbridge are continuing their activities for Fairtrade Fortnight (9th – 22nd Sept) with a display in the library telling the story of how we can be the change<\/strong><\/em> to help farmers that grow some of the UK’s most loved food and drink products – including coffee, tea and chocolate. Many farmers are at risk from the impacts of unfair trade in the face of climate change.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\"\"
\n
\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0‘Celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight at St Mary’s Shop on Market Hill’<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\"\"
\n
\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0‘Celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight at the Coop’<\/h3>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Fairtrade for Woodbridge will be present at the Harvest Fair organised by Transition Woodbridge on Saturday 14th September. Come and see what is happening between 10 and 4 in Woodbridge Community Hall.’ The Coop is helping to sponsor some of the Fairtrade refreshments.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\"\"\"\"

Preparation for Fairtrade Fortnight!<\/h1>\n

9th -22nd September<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/div>\"\"\"\"

We’ll have a stall at the Harvest Fair being organised by Transition Woodbridge in Woodbridge Community Hall on Saturday 14 September. Entry is FREE and there’ll be some of the area’s finest food and drink producers, refreshments, talks and short films, ambient music and children’s activities. Come and enjoy all the good things on offer.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"

Earth Day event in Whisstocks Place 20 April<\/h3>\n<\/div>\"\"\"\"
<\/div><\/div>
\"\"

We had a very good day yesterday in Whisstocks Place, taking part in the Local Food & Environment Fair organised by Transition Woodbridge and \u00a0Woodbridge Ambient Music to celebrate Earth Day – although we were almost blown away by the cold, cold wind! We spread the word about Fairtrade for Woodbridge, our raffle prizes were suitably tempting it was great to have St Mary’s Church Shop with their delicious range of Fairtrade food sharing the stall with us.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

Come and visit us on the Fairtrade for Woodbridge stall at the Earth Day event on \u00a0<\/em><\/strong>20 April in Whisstocks Place\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Since Woodbridge was awarded FAIRTRADE COMMUNITY status on 29 June 2023 we’ve been making progress to encourage greater awareness of why it’s important to look for the FAIRTRADE logo\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are interested in helping please contact our co-ordinator –<\/strong> info@fairtradeforwoodbridge.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

Fairtrade for Woodbridge were very happy that the Easter Egg Hunt prizes at the Tide Mill were Fairtrade Easter eggs – making sure producers receive a fair deal for their chocolate. Happy Easter . . .\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

We are a small group – with big ambitions – to raise awareness of Fairtrade and encourage shops, catering establishments, businesses and individuals to sell and use Fairtrade products, knowing that in doing so, the people of Woodbridge are helping many in developing countries to work themselves out of poverty.<\/p>\n

Woodbridge, Suffolk was first declared an official Fairtrade Town in 2008 and remained so until 2014. Over recent years we have been working to renew that status which is awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation and are now eager to spread the word that we’ve finally made it happen!<\/p>\n<\/div>[vc_single_image image=”599″ img_size=”large”]

[vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”598″]<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
\"\"\"\"\"\"
<\/div>

Recent Events<\/h2>\n

Did you see us at the CHRISTMAS STREET FAIR on Sunday 3rd December? The weather was cold and soggy but it didn’t dampen our spirits! We had great Fairtrade food and drink prizes in our raffle. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We were part of the Harvest Fair in Whisstocks Place on Saturday 7 October.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

SAFT – Suffolk Association of Fairtrade Towns – hosted their annual conference at The Longshed in Whisstocks Place, in Woodbridge on Saturday 8 July.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Woodbridge’s new status as a Fairtrade Community was enthusiastically welcomed and we gave an update of our progress so far to delegates representing eight other Suffolk towns – Leiston, Beccles, Framlingham, Felixstowe, Ipswich, Lowestoft, Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds – who reported on what’s been happening for them in the past year. \u00a0The conference focused on sharing ideas for promoting Fairtrade – importantly Fairtrade Fortnight will be moved from February to September next year, 2024. \u00a0Mike Gidney, CEO of the Fairtrade Foundation gave a hugely inspiring talk on “Fairtrade and the Future of Food”.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

\"\"<\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

About Us<\/h2>\n

Fairtrade For Woodbridge is a voluntary group of people living in the Woodbridge area in Suffolk. Its objectives are to increase awareness of Fairtrade and work to make Woodbridge a Fairtrade Community.\u00a0 Fairtrade Community<\/em> is an official title awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation to towns, cities, villages or boroughs that have met certain criteria regarding the use and awareness of Fairtrade. We are a member of the Suffolk Association of Fairtrade Towns (SAFT)www.suffolkfairtrade.org.uk<\/p>\n

Please click on the link here to read what we’ve been doing in recent weeks –<\/p>\n

FairtradePresentationFinal<\/a><\/h3>\n

The Fairtrade Foundation first officially declared Woodbridge a Fairtrade Town on 23rd February 2008 and this status remained until 2014 when some of the key volunteers moved away from the area. Now, after almost ten years, a new voluntary group has come together and we\u2019re delighted to say that as of 29 June 2023 we have regained the status of Fairtrade Community and over the coming months we\u2019ll be promoting Fairtrade locally in various ways. These will include creating a list of local suppliers and celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight – the next event will be in September 2024.<\/p>\n

Now that you have read about us, you may like to read more about the issues of trade justice and Fairtrade.\u00a0\u00a0If so, please go to\u00a0the\u00a0Fairtrade Foundation\u2019s Web site<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

[vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dashed” border_width=”5″ accent_color=”#bed600″ css=”.vc_custom_1688666870103{border-radius: 5px !important;}”]

About Fairtrade<\/h2>\n

Fairtrade, as we know it today, has been around in the UK for almost 30 years. It is a system designed to alleviate poverty and improve the lives of millions\u00a0 in developing countries around the world. Working with small scale producers who are vulnerable to injustices in the world\u2019s conventional trading systems which can discriminate against the poorest, weakest producers, Fairtrade addresses the injustices by paying sustainable prices which give them a way to work themselves out of poverty. Buying Fairtrade products not only ensures that they receive a fair price for their goods \u2013 \u00a0there is also a \u2018social premium\u2019 which goes towards providing community facilities, such as clean drinking water.
\nOver the years the benefits of Fairtrade have improved thousands of communities, resulting in better working and living conditions, improved schools, wells, community projects and so on, all of which come about as a result of these producers being suitably rewarded for their hard work and expertise. Producers decide on projects democratically.<\/p>\n

The Fairtrade system relies on people in coutries such as the UK buying products with the FAIRTRADE Mark on them. This label is a sign that the product bearing it has met stringent criteria to ensure the producers have been dealt with fairly.<\/p>\n

For full details of how Fairtrade works, and the many ways it is improving lives every day, we suggest you go to the UK\u2019s\u00a0Fairtrade Foundation website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This website will\u00a0eventually<\/em>\u00a0help you find Fairtrade products in and around the Woodbridge area. We sincerely encourage you to buy Fairtrade products wherever you can. Fairtrade has grown hugely since its early beginnings, and the more people buy Fairtrade products, the more people it can help.<\/p>\n

Fairtrade or fair trade or fairly traded?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You may notice that some products are called fair trade but do not carry the FAIRTRADE Mark. This is because some organisations, also called Alternative Trading Organisations (ATOs), are dedicated to trading fairly – and may have been doing so for many years – even before Fairtrade certification was initiated. You can find these organisations listed on the WFTO.com<\/a> or BAFTS.org<\/a> websites. For many of the products these organisations sell there may not yet be standards available because it takes a long time to agree new international Fairtrade standards.<\/p>\n

However there are some other companies who refer to their products being \u2018fair trade\u2019 or \u2018fairly traded\u2019 without having them independently scrutinised and accessed as they would be if registered with the Fairtrade Foundation or were part of a recognised network like WFTO. Always look for the FAIRTRADE Mark if you want to be sure that farmers and workers are receiving the better deal offered by Fairtrade.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>[vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dashed” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#bed600″]

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
[vc_empty_space height=”20px” css=”.vc_custom_1688667168925{background-color: #bed600 !important;}”]

Local Suppliers<\/h2>\n

In time we will produce a directory of all shops, restaurants, hotels, B&Bs and other businesses in Woodbridge that sell or provide products bearing the Fairtrade Mark. We’ve started a list below –<\/p>\n