People in developing countries are not asking for handouts but to be given the chance to work their way out of poverty. Selling and buying fairly traded goods gives them that chance. Think about those goods which cannot be produced locally, for example the tea, coffee, and bananas you buy, are they Fairtrade?

Click here for more about Fairtrade Fortnight in Nottingham.

Fairtrade works with disadvantaged farmers in the developing world.

Small scale farmers suffer from poor market access and unfair international trade rules such as tariffs and rich country subsidies. Fairtrade ensures the price they get for their crop covers the cost of sustainable production and allows them to plan for the future.

Farm workers frequently do not share the benefits of global trade. Fairtrade aims to protect workers rights to decent pay, a safe working environment as well as the right to join a trade union.

When you see the Fairtrade mark on a product it means:

• Producer organisations receive an agreed and stable price for their products that covers the cost of sustainable production and enables them to support their families and provide for a better future.
• Producer groups also receive an investment premium. They decide democratically how this should be spent, improvements to health care, clean water supplies, schooling to give their children a better future or business improvements such as processing facilities or building warehouses - the choice is theirs
• Producers are working to implement more sustainable farming methods by reducing chemical useage, recycling waste or investing the premium in their own environmental projects.

Nottingham City Council agreed a motion proposed to refresh the status of Nottingham as a Fairtrade City.

Nottingham City Council supports the promotion and purchase of products with the Fairtrade Mark as part of our commitment to sustainable international development and giving marginalised producers a fair deal.

As the first city council in 1993 to support fairtrade teas, coffees, and sugars we resolve to continue to contribute to the campaign to increase sales of products with the Fairtrade Mark. We will do this by refreshing our Fairtrade status for Nottingham City as detailed by the Fairtrade Foundation's 'Fairtrade City' initiative.

This motion updates Nottingham's commitment to Fairtrade, by supporting the wider range of Fairtrade products now available.

We commit to:

• Use locally sourced Fairtrade marked food and drink products within the Authority.
• Changing procurement and facilities management policy to reflect our policy towards Fairtrade products.
• Promote the Fairtrade mark using 'Fairtrade Foundation' promotional materials in internal refreshment areas, Nottingham's public buildings and promoting the Fairtrade City initiative in Impact magazine, the staff intranet and external communications such as the internet and Arrow magazine.
• Support the 'global dimension doorway' of the Sustainable Schools agenda, so that schools are models of good global citizenship.
• Urge local retailers to provide Fairtrade options for customers.
• Urge local businesses to offer Fairtrade options to their staff and promote the Fairtrade Mark.
• Engage a flagship employer to further promote Fairtrade in our community.
• Engage in a media campaign to publicise the 'Fairtrade City' initiative.
• Allocate resources for continued progression of the 'Fairtrade City' initiative.
• Continue to organise events and publicity during national Fairtrade Fortnight – the annual national campaign to promote sales of products with the Fairtrade mark, and other events supporting Fairtrade.
• Work with other local Fairtrade groups for the benefit of the Greater Nottingham community.

To be a Fairtrade City, there are 5 goals to achieve:

• The Local Council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade.
• The range of at least two Fairtrade products are readily available in the areas shops and served in local cafes / catering establishments
• Fairtrade products are used by an appropriate number of local work places and community organisations.
• Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign
• A local steering group is convened to ensure progress and continued commitment to the campaign 

These Fairtrade Nottingham pages contain more information about Fairtrade in Nottingham.

If you want to find out who sells and serves Fairtrade products in Nottingham, or are a retailer and wish to add your business to our lists please click here.

If you are a employer, educational establishment, or faith group, and wish to pledge your support to Fairtrade, or you want to see who supports Fairtrade in Nottingham please click here.

If you wish to find out about the Nottingham City Fairtrade Steering Group, who we are, when we meet, or want to join us, please click here.

Nottingham City Council is supporting Fairtrade Fortnight between 22 February - 7 March with a series of events across the City. Come and sample Fairtrade products, make a pledge to use them, and find out more about Fairtrade at:

• 22 February 2010, Dryden Street Market - 12-2pm
• 24 February 2010, Hyson Green Market - 11-1pm
• 26 February 2010, Clifton Market - 11-1pm
• 2 March 2010, Bulwell Market - 11-1pm
• 6 March 2010, Speakers Corner (near the Brian Clough statue), King Street - 11-2pm

Join us at a Fairtrade & Local Food Evening:

• Broadway Cinema from 6pm on Thursday 4 March, where meals produced from Fairtrade & Local Food will be available to purchase