Saturday 30 September saw the forum's first clothes swap event. Volunteers and stalls filled the church hall at St Lawrence's church between 2 and 4, where we welcomed the public. Attendees brought three items of clothing they rarely wear any more - and we all have plenty of those, don't we? In exchange for a £3 entrance fee shoppers were treated … [Read more...]

        York Fair Trade Forum organised this celebration of all things chocolate on 5th March as part of Fairtrade Fortnight. The evening at Aroma Café, Haxby, was very well attended and centred around an extremely enjoyable Divine Chocolate tasting. Nine different flavours were sampled, ranging from White Chocolate … [Read more...]

Do you want to know more about fair trade and the Fairtrade Foundation? During Fairtrade fortnight (which starts on 23 Feb) there is an information-packed display in the foyer of City of York Council (West Offices, Station Rise). There are details about what the Fairtrade mark means and how it helps the producers; explanations about what York's … [Read more...]

Fairtrade campaigners in York went bananas as they called on Tesco to stock more Fairtrade. Members of the York Fair Trade Forum gathered at Tesco’s Clifton Moor superstore on Friday 12th December and, with the help of a 5 metre long inflatable banana, drew attention to the campaign: ‘Asda and Tescos make your bananas Fairtrade.’ The campaigners … [Read more...]

Celebrations are in order! We have just learnt (26 November) that our Fairtrade City status has been successfully renewed. This is a process that has to be completed every two years, and we are especially grateful to our Chair Kathryn Tissiman and Councillor Linsay Cunningham-Cross for completing the large amount of paperwork. They obviously did a … [Read more...]

York Fair Trade Forum ran a stall at this great market, held on 8 November in the Unitarian Chapel in St Saviourgate.   We met many who were interested in Fair Trade and were delighted to be able to take away information or buy some items from the Incalljatta goods which were also on the stall.  Other stalls included ethically traded items from … [Read more...]

The Forum AGM was held on September 25th at the Priory Street Centre. After the formal business and review of the year there was a ‘Question Time’ type discussion with a panel consisting of: Michelle Proctor – York Cocoa House Prof. Bob Doherty - York University Business School Rakesh Agaawal – Cooperative Board Adam Gardner – The … [Read more...]

On 27 September, five members of the York Fair Trade Forum - Margot, Pam, Sue, Kathryn and Helen - ventured across the Pennines in response to an invitation from the Lancaster, Morecambe and District Fairtrade group. We started with a visit to the FIG Tree Fair Trade cafe and exhibition centre in Garstang, the world's first fair trade town. … [Read more...]

May 11th saw the marking of York as a Fair Trade City in a special way!   A dedicated service was held at St Lawrence’s Church.  We were fortunate to have Mark Dawson speak to us as the past chair of the Fair Trade Forum when York was awarded its Fair Trade status.  A Riding Lights member gave us a humorous and thought provoking sketch … [Read more...]

Celebrating World Fair Trade Day on the 10th May with a Fair Trade market on Parliament Street from 10am till 4pm. Come and buy ethically produced food, crafts, jewellery and clothes. Listen to Access to Music and enjoy the nearby New Music Spring Festival and Deliciously Yorkshire.   … [Read more...]