Support for ‘Fairtrade’

Newtownabbey mayor Alderman Thomas Hogg with Ciara Murray, Mount Charles Catering, Paddy Ann Leach, Ulster University and Professor Alastair Adair, Ulster University, provost, pictured at the university's recent Fairtrade event. INNT 11-453-CON

The university event was attended by students and staff as part of an international campaign,which encourages people to buy Fairtrade products.

The Universityof Ulster, Mount Charles Group and Newtownabbey Borough Council have been working to raise the profile of Fairtrade.

Fairtrade products are utilised in university catering and are available in all campus shops and university run outlets, including coffee shops.

Mount Charles provides the catering for Newtownabbey Borough Council and has introduced a variety of Fairtrade goods at the council’s headquarters.

Following the event,the mayor commented: “Fairtrade Ireland has formally acknowledged the efforts made within the borough to raise awareness of Fairtrade, and has recently recognised Newtownabbey as a Fairtrade Borough.

“We’re delighted with this news, and will continue our efforts to raise awareness of how Fairtrade products are beneficial to the lives of farmers, workers, and their families in developing countries.”

Fairtrade endeavours to improve the conditions of small-scale farmers and workers in global supply chains, and contributes to the prevention of rural poverty.