Our local partners
The Fair Trade Group aims to be inclusive of diversity and non-sectarian. The groups linked below are affiliated to the group, attend its meetings and participate in most of its activities. Although each affiliate (individual and group) may approach fair trade from different perspectives, we all share the principles of Fair Frade and Trade Justice.
Southampton City Council
www.southampton.gov.uk/fairtrade
The Fair Trade Shop
was set up to help promote Fair Trade in the Southampton and neighbouring areas. It provides a central place where customers can buy a large range of fairly traded products, grown and crafted by producers from around the world. We offer a popular 'Sale or Return' service for groups, churches, and special events. To learn more about us and other services we offer why not visit us at
Vandanamu Fair Trade
imports and sells textile and wood products from South East India. The focus of this enterprise is the fishing village of Chinna Mudaliar Chavadi, near Pondicherry, which was devastated by the tsunami. Here Vandanamu set up a sewing unit, Sathya Handicrafts, to provide training and livelihood for survivors. They mostly make screen-printed cotton bags, now sold in the UK, Jersey and France. Vandanamu also supports Venkateswara Wood Products, an extended-family business in the same village which makes bowls, spoons and puzzles from acacia wood. With their Fair Trade Premiums and substantial donations, these woodworkers have built a two-story workshop, which now also houses the sewing unit.
For further details see www.vandanamu.co.uk
"Vandanamu", pronounced with the stress on the "da", is a Sanskrit greeting meaning "Your arrival has brought us joy"
October Books
A not-for-profit co-operative bookshop in Portswood, selling books (including radical ones), fair trade goods and environmental products.
www.octoberbooks.org/fairtrade.htm
Southampton Solent University
is grateful for the assistance of the Southampton Fair Trade Group in helping them to achieve Fairtrade University status. The University is pleased to support the group in their events and activities, where possible, in order to continue the promotion of Fair Trade throughout the City.
www.solent.ac.uk/csr/fairtrade/fairtradepolicy.aspx
University of Southampton
has had Fairtrade Status since April 2006. Fairtrade products are available in all university catering outlets and the university is continually finding ways to expand its Fairtrade range. This includes Fairtrade vending machines on campus and the development of the HELO (healthy, ethical, local, organic) food range. For more details on Fairtrade at the university visit
www.catering.soton.ac.uk/fair_trade/index.html
The Cooperative Group
We believe in social responsibility and self help, so we want a better deal for growers and producers in developing countries. This is why we stock Fairtrade products in all our stores, in fact in more shops than anyone else. As well as being beneficial for the grower, Fairtrade products usually offer the consumer a better quality including fewer pesticides and more organic cultivation techniques.
Southampton Sustainability Forum
SSF is a volunteer organisation working to promote sustainable development in Southampton. This sounds simple, but sustainability is a broad, often misused concept. We see it as balancing our economic, social and environmental needs as individuals, to raise the quality of life for everyone, now and in the future. The essence is genuine community involvement in decision making processes.
www.southampton-sustainability.org
For information on the Council’s Fairtrade policy, see www.southampton.gov.uk/building-planning/planning/sustainability/fairtrade/
National links
Fairtrade Foundation
Good resources, links to Fairtrade Foundation 'friends' group on Facebook and a channel on You Tube
Banana Link
Working for fairly traded banana exports in Central America
Oxfam pages on Fair Trade
Good explanations of fair and unfair trade, including animations
www.oxfam.org.uk/what_we_do/fairtrade/
Trade Justice Movement
www.tradejusticemovement.org.uk
The Woodcraft Folk
who have a strong commitment to Fair Trade
Site created by Dan Freeland