After chasing up many different people about Birmingham’s ‘Fairtrade Town‘ title, it became apparent that the designated authorities, i.e. the Council and the Fairtrade Association Birmingham (the ill-fittingly abreviated FAB), didn’t have much to say for themselves.
Those who did seem to care about Birmingham’s green credentials were dedicated businesses and local shop owners. I spoke with George Howell of Indigo Wholefoods in Moseley and Kate Stafford of the Shared Earth shop on New St.- both very passionate individuals who had plenty to say about Fairtrade and its vast ranging benefits.
I was suprised to hear that FAB doesn’t actively approach businesses to persuade them to go Fairtrade. The merit lies entirely with the owners themselves.
Thankfully, Birmingham has plenty of Fairtrade supporters; otherwise I doubt dwellers would have even heard the term ‘Fairtrade Town’…
