Orkney awarded fairtrade accolade

August 1, 2019 at 4:10 pm

Orkney recently renewed its fairtrade status, and has now been named Fairtrade Community of the Month.

Orkney has been named Fairtrade Community of the Month by the The Fairtrade Foundation.

The national independent certification body has awarded Orkney the accolade for August, out of the 635 Fairtrade communities – towns, cities, zones and islands – in the UK, and 2,195 worldwide. All share a commitment to promoting Fairtrade in their local businesses, in churches and community organisations, amongst employers and within their local government.

Orkney was chosen to feature in national and international publicity this month, because of the record of support from producers, retailers, and the hospitality industry here, and the profile Fairtrade has in the food and drink sector. Highlights from campaigning in the past year have included the Great Chocolate Fairbake Competition supported by 15 cafes, Northlink Ferries’ Fairer World event, and catering support for the Parish Cup of Food and a host of smaller events.

Lorna Penny, chairwoman of Orkney Fair Trade Group, said: “We’re hugely proud of what Orkney has achieved to deserve this national acclaim — and the group is really grateful to the local business community, especially Orkney Food and Drink, the Kirkwall BID, Westray Chutney, the Orkney Roastery and Finstown Coffee, WM Shearer, and all the other shops, businesses and cafes — especially all our wonderful cocoa baking heroes — who’ve given us so much goodwill and encouragement over the years. And of course Orkney Islands Council and our many church and community supporters”.

Adam Gardner, head of campaigns at the Fairtrade Foundation, added: “Orkney Fair Trade Group are recognised in the Fairtrade Foundation’s Community of the Month for their consistent campaigning since becoming a Fairtrade Zone in 2014.

“They recently renewed their Fairtrade Award and show prowess in bringing together all aspects of community on the island with things that are important to inhabitants, adding a Fairtrade element to events taking place and linking local and fair food in a Buy Local, Buy Fair campaign.

“Thanks to the ongoing support of the public and campaigners like those in Orkney, an increasing number of farmers in developing countries are now selling their products on Fairtrade terms, bringing them a stable income, and the chance to trade their way out of poverty.”