Goal to make Adur Fairtrade district

Mr Olivier has lived in Shoreham for 39 years and his involvement with Fairtrade began four years ago, after he retired from his full-time job as as social worker.

Following the promotion of Traidcraft at St Peter's Church, Shoreham, a group got together to see how they could promote Fairtrade in the Adur district.

They received the backing of Peter Berry, then a district councillor, who proposed Adur become a Fairtrade district.

Price

Mr Olivier said: "I support Fairtrade because I believe that producers should get a fair price for their products.

"The Fairtrade guarantee gives that fair price and a small premium which enables producers to invest in their local community, such as schools and health services.

"We learned something of this when in Fairtrade fortnight in 2007.

"We had the privilege of a visit by Casildo Quisp from Bolivia, who told us about his involvement with a Brazil nut co-operative.

"He told us about the benefit of support from Fairtrade and said that he was pleased to return to his people with the message that others care about them."

Fairtrade

People attending the meeting heard great progress had been made towards the goal of making Adur a Fairtrade district.

The meeting also saw the launch of the new Fairtrade Directory, which the group hopes to promote over the coming year.

Mr Olivier said: "We would like to build relationships with local businesses, and also to involve schools and young people in Fairtrade.

"Young people have a strong sense of justice and fairness, and I think that we have to help them in affirming that and getting their support for Fairtrade."

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