Junior Minister Martina Anderson presents the Fairtrade Awards

Junior Minister Martina Anderson today presented the Fairtrade Business Awards 2011 in Belfast City Hall.
~ Tuesday, 18 October 2011

The event recognised the contribution of local businesses in promoting the sale and use of Fairtrade products.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Anderson said: “Fair trade is an issue that is at the heart of the times in which we live. How we choose to relate to our partners in the global community is central to our character as people and as citizens of the world.

“Competing in a global market means many suppliers in the developing world don’t achieve a price for their products that enables them to have a decent standard of living. We need to make ethical choices.

“The Executive is committed to bring forward a strategy to promote fair and ethical trading that will sit within the framework of our Sustainable Development Strategy. We can and should commit to fair trade.”

Awards were presented to five local retailers, cafes and bars. An additional award for Outstanding Contribution to Fairtrade was awarded to Dr Christopher Stange, Chair of Fairtrade Belfast and Hon. Consul for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Notes to editors:

1. The winner of the 2011 Fairtrade Business Awards were:

• Best Fairtrade Independent Retailer: Fairtrade Inspires.
• Best Fairtrade Supermarket: Northern Ireland Co-operative.
• Best Fairtrade Café: Common Grounds.
• Best Fairtrade Employer: Oxfam Ireland.
• Best Fairtrade Bar or Restaurant: The John Hewitt .
• Outstanding Contribution to Fairtrade: Dr Christopher Stange, Chair of Fairtrade Belfast & Hon. Consul for St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Northern Ireland.

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