Fairtrade Fortnight begins this year on Monday 21^st February, and Orkney Fair Trade Group are planning a two-week celebration of Fair Trade in our local shops. 

Group members have been busy spotting and canvassing for as many fairly traded items in as many retail businesses as possible, all over Orkney, and plan a virtual promotional tour on Facebook highlighting the local offer from North Ronaldsay to South Ronaldsay and Dounby to Deerness, as well as in the towns.  This includes a number of popular confectionery, tea and coffee lines that are widely available, but also an impressive range of other groceries, clothing and crafts totalling 40-50 different types of product and varieties in the hundreds.

The Group is also posting its findings to the new Scottish Fairtrade Finders website, where Orkney makes a really impressive showing, with some 30 businesses listed and a good few more to come, making us currently the top spot in the country for Fair Trade sales.  And they’re inviting everyone to take up their challenge by posting videos and photos on social media, showing their favourite products and where they buy them.

Lorna Penny, Orkney Fair Trade Group chair, said:

“Pre-pandemic, we all enjoyed our chocolate fairbake café promotion, so this year we thought we’d focus on our retail sector, and we’re absolutely thrilled to see just how much the fairly traded offer has grown in Orkney since we last had a look back in 2015. 

“Awareness is growing of how poverty and exploitation in the developing world contributes to the climate emergency, and how Fairtrade supports more sustainable production and guarantees a fair price for farmers. 

“Hats off to all our independent businesses who’ve worked so hard through these difficult times to keep local folk supplied with such a quantity and variety of stock, both our lovely Orkney produce and Fair Trade from the global south. 

“The group are anxious not to leave any shop out so do get in touch if we’ve missed you, and join in with our social media campaign.”

Fairtrade Fortnight will also see St Magnus Cathedral lit again in blue and green on Friday February 25^th, and services held in a number of local churches on Sundays 27^th February/6^th March. 

As in 2021, there will be a major UK wide festival online, “Choose the World You Want”, with daily events highlighting in particular the links between fair trade and combating climate change, and featuring farming communities worldwide.  And representatives from Orkney will take part in online discussion sessions organised by the Co-Op and with Aberdeen for a Fairer World.