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Fair Trade at Paulet


Fairtrade is a strong ongoing campaign, aiming to improve the lives of producers in poorer countries. The concept of Fairtrade had been around since the 1980’s but the first Fairtrade labelled item was not sold until 1988.

They aim to get better living and working conditions for people in poorer countries by ensuring they get a fair price for their products.

The Fairtrade foundation do this by raising money during fundraising events such as The Fairtrade Fortnight, which encourages people to buy more Fairtrade products not only at home, but in social events or at work. In our local area, many large supermarkets sell Fairtrade products such as bananas, ice cream, tea and coffee.

We have interviewed people around school on their opinions on Fairtrade from catering staff to pupils and found that most people we asked have a positive opinion on Fairtrade.

First we interviewed Paulet High School’s Catering Manager, Miss Carol Clark.

When asked her opinions on Fairtrade, Miss Clark said:

“Fairtrade is a very good thing. It helps others and it’s good to make everyone aware of the problems faced in other countries. Using Fairtrade products in schools are aimed towards helping make children aware this.”

We also asked whether she thought Fairtrade products were reasonably priced. Miss Clark replied:

“Yes I think they have to be reasonably priced to be a fair price for both the producers and the consumers. If more people buy Fairtrade products it will help to increase awareness of Fairtrade.”

We asked Miss Clark what she thought about using Fairtrade products in school:

“I think it’s good because we are contributing. As they bring out more Fairtrade products we will be using them in school. At Paulet we sell Fairtrade products such as tea, coffee, sugar, juice cartons and use Fairtrade flour and icing sugar in our cooking.”

Miss Clark believed that using and selling Fairtrade products in school has had a positive impact and said:

“Since we have sold the Fairtrade juices, students have chosen these over other drinks.”

Miss Clark also had additional information on Fairtrade which she felt may be useful to us. She told us,
“Staffordshire County Council is a Fairtrade county. At county they are eager to introduce new Fairtrade products where economically viable. At the moment at County building, there has been a £100,000 turnover due to the use of Fairtrade products, mainly tea, coffee and sugar.”

In our canteen the catering staff have made efforts to advertise Fairtrade further by creating a display of posters and information.

When we asked pupils what they thought about Fairtrade, we got a very positive response. Everyone we asked thought that Fairtrade was a good cause. A few people we asked mentioned the additional cost but all agreed that it was worth it.

“I think that Fairtrade has good intentions and the extra cost is minor to the knowledge that you could be helping people improve their lives.”

“Fairtrade is good and helps people in poorer countries and helps to stop poverty.”

“It is fair on the producers.”