We are a Fairtrade church

St Alban’s declares its support for the marginalised.

The Certificate

It’s official. We are a Fairtrade Church.

After work by the Parish Council and extensive
consultation with parishioners, in early 2015 Fr Peter signed the application and the Fairtrade Foundation approved our status.

What does it mean for St Alban’s?

Our commitment is to:

  • use Fairtrade tea and coffee after services and in all meetings for which we have responsibility.
  • move forward on using other Fairtrade products such as sugar, biscuits and fruit
  • promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight and during the year through events, worship and other activities whenever possible

About 1.5 million workers in poor countries produce Fairtrade certified food and drink for our tables, cotton for our clothes even gold for our jewellery.

What does it mean for poor producers?

They get fair wages and their communities receive a stream of revenue for collective investment. This latter means clinics, schools, water wells and other infrastructure developments.

The alternative “non-fairtrade” means producers at the mercy of powerful companies, wildly fluctuating commodity prices and scant opportunity to develop and work their way out of poverty.

It’s a one-sided relationship: cheap prices and good profits for the rich; a hopeless future for the poor and their children.

Fullness of life

The parish of St Alban’s has committed

“to…removing the obstacles to the fullness of life of our sisters and brothers.”

Well done St Albans!