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Criccieth was the first community in North Wales to be awarded the status of Fair Trade Town back in 2003.
The award and certificate (above right) follows accreditation by the Fairtrade Foundation. Residents and visitors alike have asked the Criccieth Tourist Association CTA and the CTIS for more information and this is a brief summary of the aims and objectives of the initiative, which CTIS fully endorses and supports:
What is Fair Trade?
It is simply trade which guarantees Third World farmers, workers and other producers a fair deal: a fair price, a fair wage and fair working conditions. When a product is bought bearing the Fairtrade mark (right) awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation, it is guaranteed to have been produced and traded without anyone being exploited anywhere along the line.
What are Fair Trade Products?
Looking at shop and supermarket shelves one can count many products bearing the Fairtrade Mark. Tea, coffee and cocoa spring immediately to mind, but there are also fruits such as bananas, fruit juice, sugar, snack bars, biscuits and an increasing number of chocolates. There are also hand-made and manufactured goods too numerous to mention. There are now over a hundred products showing the mark - many of which are sold in the Criccieth & Porthmadog area.
Do they cost more than non-Fair Trade products?
While some Fair Trade items may cost slightly more they don't all by any means. And when they do, shoppers are happy to pay that little extra. Keswick & District Fair Trade Campaign committee conducted a survey of 285 shoppers which showed that 89% of the residents and 86% of the visitors interviewed are prepared to pay a little extra if it means that people at the producing end get a fair deal.
Why has Criccieth achieved Fair Trade Town Status?
It has shown that local businesses including shops and hotels, schools, community groups, parishioners and the local council actively support the concept of Fair Trade as set out in the Fairtrade charter.
Where can I buy Fairtrade products in Criccieth?
At the time of writing (October 2003) the following shops and businesses stocked Fairtrade products:
D. J. Jones & Son - Greengrocers
Siop Newydd - general store and delicatessen
Roots - café and shop
CTA/CTIS have been unable to ascertain which restaurants, hotels and guest houses serve Fairtrade beverages and products at this time. Information will be added to this web site following an independent study at a later date. CTIS also intends listing establishments which support Fair Trade in the Criccieth Directory
For more information or to contact CRICCIETH FAIR TRADE TOWN please visit their web site
Thank you for your interest in Fair Trade in Criccieth
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