News and Important Events
January 2010 Eco-op Office Snackbox
Kingston Eco-op launched its Snackbox Project, which brings weekly deliveries of fair trade snacks into workplaces around the borough. A box containing a variety of items, e.g. dried fruit & nuts, cookies, yogurt/chocolate coated raisins, is delivered weekly at an agreed time. A pricelist and honesty box are supplied.
Kingston Eco-op is a partnership of 3 local charities, Kingston Voluntary Action, Fircroft Trust and Mind in Kingston, who together provide training and support for people who are disabled, have mental health problems and/or are at risk of social exclusion. The project helps people develop skills like stock control, administration, customer service and packing. 15 people currently attend the workshops.
To have a fair trade snackbox delivered to your office, please contact snackbox@snackbox.org.uk or telephone 020 8942 5503.
www.kingstoneco-op.org.uk/eco-op-snack-box/aspx
December 2009 Kingston Council relaunches its Fairtrade commitment
After 5 years of being a Fairtrade Borough and some staff changes, it was decided to raise the profile of Fairtrade within the Council by having Fairtrade stalls (see photo) at lunch time in two locations frequented by Council staff: the Guildhall and the Crescent Resource Centre, New Malden. There was also an online competition for staff with a lovely Fairtrade hamper from Food for Thought in Kingston market place as the prize. Over 200 staff entered the competition.
December 7th 2009 Kit Kat goes Fairtrade
Nestlé announced that its popular chocolate biscuit bar, Kit Kat, is to be Fairtrade certified. In January 2010 the first certified Kit Kat four-finger bars go on sale, benefitting thousands of cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire. Sugar used will also be Fairtrade certified, from Belize.
Note that only products are certified, not companies, and that certification is a long and complex process, necessarily so if standards are to be maintained. So, whilst it is hoped that more products from large companies will be Fairtrade certified, both in the UK and in other countries, it is not realistic for this to happen all at once. If more people buy Fairtrade products, it encourages all companies, large and small, to seek Fairtrade certification for their products. For more information, see www.fairtrade.org.uk/what_is_fairtrade/fairtrade_certification_and_the_fairtrade_mark
October 6-7th 2009 Visitors from South Korea
We welcomed three Korean visitors, Soo, Lee and Kay, who came to find out about how we promote Fairtrade here in Kingston, and in the UK. They were from Beautiful Store, an ethical trading organisation with 104 shops in South Korea, linked to a Korean charity, a partner of Oxfam. We took them to many shops and cafés in Kingston who stock Fairtrade products, including the Rose theatre (see photo). They also visited Tiffin Girls School and the university (both Fairtrade institutions).
September 2009 New report from the Fairtrade Foundation on Fairtrade and climate change:
Egalité, Fraternité, Sustainabilité: why the climate revolution must be a fair revolution
Climate change and Fairtrade are interlinked because those at the heart of the Fairtrade movement, poor farmers and workers in developing countries, are at the frontline of the climate crisis.
June 2009 Visit to Oldenburg, Germany
People from Kingston Council and the University visited Kingston’s twin town in Germany, Oldenburg, to share experiences and find out what the other town is doing environmentally and Fairtrade-wise. Oldenburg is working towards becoming a Fairtrade Town and its university hopes to become a Fairtrade University like Kingston. Germany declared its first Fairtrade Town at around the time of the visit.
Has your town/place of worship/school/university got Fairtrade status yet? For more details go to www.fairtrade.org.uk/getinvolved
March 4th 2009 Cadbury’s Dairy Milk goes Fairtrade
Cadbury’s and the Fairtrade Foundation announced plans to achieve Fairtrade certification for Cadbury Dairy Milk, the nation’s top selling chocolate bar. This will triple the sales of cocoa under Fairtrade terms for Ghanaian cocoa farmers.
Fairtrade Fortnight 2009 February 23rd – March 8th
February 24th Visit from Ghanaian cocoa growers
Two lucky Kingston Primary Schools, St Joseph’s in Kingston and Christ Church in Surbiton, were visited by Anane Mensah and James Adiyiah from the large Kuapa Kokoo cocoa growing co-operative in Ghana. This co-operative doesn’t just supply the cocoa for the Fairtrade chocolate produced by Divine, it is also part of the company itself, with Ghanaians elected to the Board, and one Board meeting a year held in Ghana. Kuapa Kokoo co-operative owns 45% of the Divine company. This means that, in addition to the fair price, Fairtrade community premium and greater security, the co-operative is paid a dividend from company profits. For more information see www.divinechocolate.com
Anane and James are both elected Recorders, a position of great responsibility in the co-operative: they weigh and record the amounts of cocoa grown by each farmer. They were delighted to see their Divine chocolate bars on sale in the Rose theatre café/bar where they had lunch. Anane and James were accompanied by two people from Divine’s London offices and a photographer making a film of their time in Kingston. The day ended at the university where they talked to staff and students.
March 7th Go Bananas At Kingston University
Students and staff from the university munched their way through about 2,000 Fairtrade bananas in an attempt to be part of a new world record for the greatest number of people eating bananas during a 24 hour period. Staff dressed as gorillas roamed the university’s four campuses encouraging people to take part. Boxes of free bananas for distribution were donated by Junction 49, the student volunteering charity.
In Kingston centre, in the foyer of the John Lewis/Waitrose store, more free Fairtrade bananas donated by Waitrose were given away. Elsewhere around the country over 380,000 campaigners took part in the challenge; young and old, in churches, mosques, synagogues, schools, work places, cafés and shops, as well as universities, all helped break the world record.
March 11th Dinners Dirty Secrets: is it ethical to eat?
Think-in-Kingston event at Kingston University
The ecofootprint of our food and drink is much higher than most of us realise, so sustainable food production is very important. Two experts in Fairtrade, fair trade and farming, Sjoerd Vogt and Dr Frances Harris, put ’food miles’ and other aspects of sustainability into perspective, considering the economic, environmental and social impacts of our diets. Transport is normally a relatively small part of a product’s total ecofootprint. This can be true even of products that come by air, although almost all Fairtrade products, like most imports, come by sea, a far less carbon intensive means of transport.
Fairtrade in local shops
As in previous years, on several days during Fairtrade Fortnight we had tables near the entrances of local supermarkets displaying the wide range of Fairtrade products now available in these stores. We were able to talk to shoppers, and give them information about Fairtrade, including the new 2009 London Fairtrade Guide. Lucky shoppers were able to try free Fairtrade chocolate truffles from Waitrose in Kingston, who also donated bananas for the banana eating challenge described above. Food for Thought in Kingston market place showcased Fairtrade products throughout the Fortnight and had tastings. There was also a raffle for a Fairtrade hamper.
Update on Fairtrade Towns, faith groups, universities and products
There are more than 4,500 Fairtrade certified products including cotton clothing, wines, ice cream and cosmetics. Recognition of the FAIRTRADE Mark is 72%. More than 7 million people in 59 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system. The UK leads the way in buying Fairtrade products; sales in 2008 rose by 43% in the UK and 22% globally.
There are over 450 Fairtrade Towns, 100 Fairtrade Universities & Colleges, over 5,000 faith groups and more than 3,000 schools registered with a Fairtrade campaign. www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved_fairtrade_towns.htm
February 6-7th 2009 International Fairtrade Towns Conference, Lyon, France
Jeannette and Douglas James from the Kingston Fairtrade group were fortunate to be able to attend this conference. People from all over Europe and further afield came to learn more about the Fairtrade Towns movement, which began in Garstang in the UK (www.garstangfairtrade.org.uk), and which has been very successful in getting the good news about Fairtrade to a wider public. In 2009 Germany and France declared their first Fairtrade Towns. To find out more about Fairtrade Towns internationally (there are 755) see www.fairtradetowns.org
The lovely French city of Lyon gave Fairtraders a warm welcome, laying on a fine reception for us all at their beautiful Hotel de Ville – see photo
November 2008 Fairtrade wine tasting at Bentalls
To celebrate London becoming a Fairtrade City, Bentalls store in Kingston centre kindly hosted a Fairtrade wine tasting. A wine expert from Ehrmann’s, whose Fairtrade and organic wines are stocked by Bentalls, came to introduce us to 6 Fairtrade wines from South Africa and South America, including one prize winner.
Thursday 23 October 2008 London: the world's largest Fairtrade City
In "London's living room" at the top of City Hall by the Thames near Tower Bridge on the evening of October 23rd, London received its Fairtrade City certificate from the head of the Fairtrade Foundation, Harriet Lamb. London comprises 32 boroughs, of which Kingston is one, and the City of London Corporation.
Across the capital, 20 boroughs now have Fairtrade Borough status, 5 of which are Olympic Boroughs. Almost 1000 retailers and over 600 catering outlets now sell a range of products which carry the Fairtrade Mark, including iconic London institutions like the Barbican, the British Library cafe, Cafe in the Square (Trafalgar Sq), the Horniman Museum, the London Eye, the National Theatre, the Royal Festival Hall, St Martins in the Field cafe, Amnesty International UK, Houses of Parliament, the cafe at Princess Diana Memorial Gardens and many more. Kingston is proud to be able to include the Rose theatre in this list. This is the culmination of 5 years work.
Kingston Fairtrade Group celebrated being part of the largest Fairtrade capital in the world by holding a Fairtrade wine tasting hosted by Bentalls in November.
Rose Theatre
The most exciting new place where you can get Fairtrade refreshments is the Rose Theatre Kingston cafe/bar. Light, modern and spacious, the cafe is open all day and sometimes offers live entertainment too. The wine list offers both red and white Fairtrade wines, and the Fairtrade coffee is delicious. Fairtrade sugar is used and Fairtrade biscuits are also available.
The theatre it self is a fine modern version of the famous Elizabethan Rose theatre in London in which, along with the Globe, Shakespeare's plays were first performed. for as little as £7 you can sit in the pit area with your own cushion, and seat prices range from £10 to £29.50.
Fairtrade Fortnight 2008 25 February - March 9
Thursday March 13th Banana Wars and other Fairtrade battles
In Borders bookshop on Kingston market place, Ron Hinsley, Head of certification at the Fairtrade Foundation talked about a new book 'Banana wars and other Fairtrade battles' which tells the gripping story of Fairtrade's striking success. The book is by Harriet Lamb, the Director of the Fairtrade Foundation.
Jeannette James, Kingston Fairtrade Co-ordinator, introduced another recently published book, the Fairtrade Everyday Cookbook.
Food for Thought health store:
Customers visiting the store during Fairtrade Fortnight found some monkey business going on. they saw the array of fairtrade products available and sampled many products from tea and coffee to chocolate and wine.
Saturday September 22nd 2007 Healthy Harvest Fayre
Fairtrade took part in this new event at the end of Kingston's successful Food Fortnight. We had an information stall in Kingston's historic market place alongside local suppliers of healthy food and drink, and fairly traded products sold by people with direct links with producers in some of the poorest parts of the world.
March 26th 2007 Ethical Consumerism: figleaf or feasible?
As part of Think-in-Kingston, a panel comprising Chris Davis of the Fairtrade Foundation; Leo Hickman, Guardian columnist and author on this topic; Sarah Irving, researcher at Ethical Consumer magazine, and Barry Clavin, Ethical Policy Manager, from the Co-operative Group, discussed this topic, answering many questions from the audience. The panel was chaired by Jeannette James, Co-ordinator of the Kingston Fairtrade Group.
KBS, the Korean Broadcasting Service (TV) filmed the proceedings and interviewed both Jeannette and Chris Davis. Fairtrade is starting to be known in Korea.
Fairtrade Fortnight 2007 6 February - 11 March
Fairtrade producer from Bolivia visits Kingston
On March 1st we hosted another Fairtrade producer in the borough. Quispe Casildo, president of the Coinacapa brazil nut gatherers co-operative in. Casildo visited 3 local schools during the day and Kingston University in the evening. A very busy day for Casildo and his interpreter. Despite having to wait for Casildo's Spanish to be translated into English, primary school children sat quietly and were fascinated, particularly when large 'nuts', each containing lots of brazil nuts (segments as in an orange) were passed around.
New website about using Fairtrade in Workplaces
Visit fairtradeatwork.org.uk for useful information about all aspects of using Fairtrade products at work, e.g. vending machines, and great new materials (posters, leaflets for decision makers, etc)
April 26th 2006 Jeannette and Douglas James, Kingston Fairtrade Co-ordinators, receive Mayor's Award
Jeannette and Douglas James receive Mayor's Award from Yogan Yoganathan at Kingston Guildhall for the work they have done on Fairtrade and the wider Trade Justice issues.
March 6th - 19th 2006 Fairtrade Fortnight
March 6th
Visit to 5 Kingston schools by Maria Sargeant, banana farmer from St Vincent, Windward Islands (Caribbean). Maria talked to over 1000 pupils, in both primary and secondary schools, about her life, showing picture of her farm and the processes bananas go through before being shipped to the UK.
March 11th
A second Fair Trade Market on Kingston's Market Place, this time with our new Kingston Fairtrade banner!
21st November 2005 European Parliament and Commission Trade Justice Lobby in Brussels
Several local people went to Brussels for this lobby.For more information visit tjm.org.uk
Outside the European Commission by day and night.
2nd November 2005 Mass Lobby of Parliament for Trade Justice
Over 8,000 trade justice campaigners from across the UK gathered in Westminster. Local people lobbied our MPs, Edward Davey and Susan Kramer. For more information visit tjm.org.uk.
6th-8th July 2005 G8 Summit at Gleneagles
The leaders of the world's most powerful countries met in Gleneagles chaired by the UK.
2nd July 2005 Make Poverty History Rally in nearby Edinburgh
Over 225,000 people took to the streets in Edinburgh to call on world leaders to act at the G8 summit. We walked and, dressed in white, took part in the world's largest human white band around the city centre. There were so many of us that the flow of people went on for over 6 hours.
Coaches went from Richmond and other parts of London, and some local people made their own way. Joining us were representatives from around the world including Kumi Naidoo, Head of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty.Speakers from around the world addressed the crowd to speak of the difference the G8 could make when they met later in the week at Gleneagles.For more information, photos, films, etc. visit makepovertyhistory.org.
10-16 April 2005 Global Week of Action on Trade Justice
This whole week of action on Trade Justice culminated in an all-night vigil on the Friday night when over 25,000 Trade Justice campaigners descended overnight on Whitehall and Westminster. The next morning each of the main political parties was visited by a small delegation on behalf of the vigilers.
This whole week of action on Trade Justice culminated in an all-night vigil on the Friday night when over 25,000 Trade Justice campaigners descended overnight on Whitehall and Westminster. The next morning each of the main political parties was visited by a small delegation on behalf of the vigilers.
1st- 13th March 2005 Fairtrade Fortnight
Kingston-upon Thames achieves Fairtrade Borough status
At this time, during Fairtrade Fortnight, Kingston also achieved Fairtrade borough status, the fourth London borough to do so. The certificate was presented to Jeannette James representing the Kingston Fairtrade steering group at City Hall in London by Harriet Land, the Director of the Fairtrade Foundation.
City Hall Presentation to Kingston and Lewisham Boroughs
Following the presentation at City Hall, later in the evening at a celebratory event at Kingston's Guildhall, the certificate was presented to Kingston's Mayor, Ed Naylor, by Jeannette James and two cocoa farmers from Ghana, Anna Awere and Veronica Mintuh, who explained what a difference Fairtrade had made to lives in their community. They are part of the large Kuala Kokoo cocoa co-operative who supply the Day Chocolate Company, makers of Divine Chocolate and the Dubble bar. Kuapa Kokoo owns a third of Day Chocolate, and the farmers therefore not only benefit from the Fairtrade prices and social premiums, but also share in the company's profits. See divinechocolate.com
At the Guildhall: Anna and Veronica, with Mayor Ed Naylor, Charlotte Borger from the Day Chocolate Company, and John Azah from KREC (Kingston Racial Equality Council)
March 12th Fair trade Market in Kingston's ancient Market Place and launch of Kingston blend Fairtrade Coffee
At this small fair trade market, Kingston blend Fairtrade blend Fairtrade coffee was launched, with free tasting. The Kingston blend was voted favourite from the four blends that were trialled at the Guildhall celebration event. The coffee is roasted and blended by Traders Coffee, Ewell Road, Surbiton.
Edward Davey MP, holding a packet of Kingston blend coffee, with John Green of Traders Coffee , Jeannette and Douglas James from Kingston Fairtrade Steering Group.