Why does Portlaoise want to be a fair-trade town?

The purpose of a Fairtrade Town is to contribute to Fairtrade Mark Ireland’s aim in tackling poverty by enabling disadvantaged producers from poor countries to receive a better deal, through encouraging support for the FAIRTRADE Mark.

Portlaoise is a town with a long history of involvement in Fair Trade.
From as early as the 1980's, when a few concerned individuals became involved with social justice issues, Fairtrade has been constantly promoted in Portlaoise and Co.Laois. 

Cleo Fitxgibbon, Laura Moylan from Scoil Christ Rí, orgaisers of the Fair Trade Lauch in Áras an Chontae recently.

Traidcraft, - an organization that directly imported fairly traded crafts - made Fair Trade products, both crafts and foodstuffs available, and a voluntary shop was set up especially in the run up to Christmas. At this time also several teachers were promoting the concept of fairtrade in their schools
 
In 1994, with the assistance of CORI and FAS, several groups came together to form the Midlands Development Education Support Group and Fairtrade Shop. For the rest of the decade, Portlaoise was one of the few towns to boast a full time shop dedicated to the sale of fairly traded goods, and to the promotion of fair trade in schools and shows.

Portlaoise at this time was well represented in awareness raising activities, including the promotion of fairtrade in Dail Eireann.
In early 2003, Laois County Council passed a resolution supporting fairtrade. Around this time, the fairtrade town’s concept was being developed - the notion that a town would support Fairtrade and have easy access to fairtraded products.

Now, in 2007, Portlaoise has become the 13th??( have to verify this today) town to gain the fairtrade title. It has been a long road and there is still a distance to go, but from the early days, Fairtrade has prospered and grown, thanks to a few courageous pioneers and increasing support over the years from local businesses.

Scoil Aonghasa Pupils showing some of the Fair Trade products displayed at the Launch.

Now the people of Portlaoise find products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark in the following

Supermarkets – Mulhall’s, Dunne’s Stores, Tesco’s,
Local stores - McCormack’s, Eagan’s Off Licence
Coffee shops – The Theatre, Café Latte, McPherson’s, Munhall’s, McCormack’s, Laois County Council
Bars – Eagan’s, Kavanagh’s, O’Gorman’s bar and restaurant,
Health food - Fruit and Nut
Wholesalers - 4 Aces
Institutions and Offices – Garda Siochana, Department of Agriculture, Teagasc,  Portlaoise Community Action Project Ltd. (P.C.A.P),  National Association of Parents (N.A.P.S)  E.S.B., Teachers’ Centre, Fingleton & White Engineering Company, Permanent T.S.B. , Bank of Ireland
Hairdressers – Hair Gallery
Schools – Scoil Chriost Ri Presentation Secondary School, Primary Schools : Scoil Mhuire & Sacred Heart
Churches – Catholic Church, Church of Ireland, Methodist Church

The following 6 goals had to be realised before Portlaoise could be recognised as a Fairtrade

1. A local steering group had to be convened to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade Town status.
2. The Town Council passed a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and agreed to serve Fairtrade coffee and tea in the office and at all its meetings and to continue to support the Fairtrade Mark.
3. A range of FAIRTRADE Mark products be available in the Town’s shops, supermarkets, local cafes, restaurants, and hotels.
4. FAIRTRADE Mark products used in other local businesses and organisations. This includes schools, churches, large offices and local voluntary groups.
5. The group attracted media coverage and popular support for the campaign.
6. Schools became involved by becoming Fairtrade Schools and by raising awareness of the FAIRTRADE Mark in the local community. Many of the groups are also involved in getting lots of publicity for Fairtrade through local radio stations and newspapers. Scoil Chriost Ri, Presentation Secondary School, came third in ‘The Young Social Innovators’ project for their work on Fairtrade

Launch of Portlaoise as a Fairtrade Town

Portlaoise was awarded the Fairtrade Town status on the 2^nd of March at 4.30 p.m. in the canteen of the County Hall. Renwick Rose is Coordinator of the Windward Islands Farmers Association (WINFA) and he will share with us What this means to the people of the Windward islands.

At the recent lauch in Áras an Chontae: Ailson Lewis, Renwick Rose, Laura Kearns, Cllr Brian Stanley, Barbara Rafferty, Clare Coleman and Cllr. Michael Lalor.

A signed and dated certificate will be presented by Fairtrade Mark Ireland to the Town.

“Going the Fairtrade coffee route is just a small step for us but we are pleased that it will benefit producers with a fair price.”