What being a Fairtrade town means:
The local council supports Fair Trade.
A range of Fairtrade products is available in a significant number of shops, cafés, B&Bs, pubs and hotels.
Fairtrade products are used by many local work places.
There is media coverage of events and support for Fairtrade.
A Fairtrade steering group ensures continued commitment to Fairtrade town status.
What we do:
We meet on the first Monday of the month in the Blue Boar at 6.30pm. Exceptions are January and May. We are a small group and new members are very welcome.
We encourage local businesses to stock and serve Fairtrade products - everything from tea, coffee, confectionery and wine to clothing and accessories.
We organise a regular and successful Christmas Fair in the Butter Market and also have a presence at other local events promoting Fairtrade during the year.
We give talks at local schools, WI, U3A etc.
We renewed our status as a Fairtrade Town in 2019. There are 500 Fairtrade Towns in the UK. Fairtrade Fortnight is held in February/March each year - a time to celebrate and promote the principle of fair living wages for producers in emerging countries.
As Hay is twinned with Timbuktu in Mali, we partner with Jump4Timbuktu to sell their artisan jewellery and leather goods, and have welcomed one of the Tuareg craftsmen to our town.