Reading has strong traditions of international solidarity, anti-racism, multiculturalism and town-twinning.
Reading Borough Council passed its first resolution in favour of Fair Trade as long ago as 1996, and Reading was formally recognised as a Fairtrade Town in 2004. Fairtrade Town status was renewed by the Fairtrade Foundation in 2008 and again in November 2010.
The Reading Fairtrade Steering Group has expanded considerably in the past couple of years, and there is an especially active fairtrade group now at the University of Reading.
The Chair of the Reading Fairtrade Steering Group is David Sutton, and the Events Organiser is Bente Madeira. David has edited the Reading Fairtrade Directory, which contains comprehensive information about fairtrade activity in Reading and a great deal of general information about fairtrade as well.
Download the Fair Trade Mini Directory / Leaflet
If you want to be included in the Directory, contact David Sutton: davidsutton@gn.apc.org
For next year's Reading Fairtrade Events listing, contact: Bente Madeira: bente@risc.org.uk
This year's flagship employers - committed to promote fair trade within their workplace - are Readibus, Unison Thames Valley team & the trades union, UNITE. All local schools with RBC central School Meals contracts receive fairtrade foods, and tuck shops sell fairtrade products.
45 cafe's & restaurants, 16 shops, 34 supermarkets & 4 mailorder firms now promote fairtrade goods. We have 40 Fairtrade churches & a further 48 businesses, organisations or groups regularly use fairtrade products in their offices, canteens and meetings.
Contact:
Reading Fairtrade Steering Group
c/o RISC, 35-39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS
Chair: David Sutton davidsutton@gn.apc.org
Events: Bente T Madeira 0118 958 6692 or bente@risc.org.uk
