 Fairtrade ensures growers get a fair price for their products |
A Lancashire market town is celebrating its fifth anniversary as a pioneer of the Fairtrade Town movement. Garstang was declared the world's first Fairtrade town in 2001, starting a trend that has since spread to more than 200 places in the UK.
Drinks served at council meetings are sourced through the system and about 80% of local shops sell the products.
The birthday party coincides with the launch of a council campaign to make Lancashire a Fairtrade county.
Trend growing
BBC newsreader George Alagiah, a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation, will be cutting the cake at the event at Garstang Golf and Country Hotel.
Elaine Gisbourne, chair of the Garstang Fairtrade Steering Group, said: "It is wonderful to think that while this small Lancashire town celebrates its fifth birthday the whole county of Lancashire will also publicly announce its intention to make Lancashire a Fairtrade county.
"Fairtrade is going from strength to strength," she added.
Towns or cities are granted Fairtrade status after meeting five criteria set out by the Fairtrade Foundation.
They include serving Fairtrade tea and coffee at council meetings, offices and canteens and to ensure the products are sold in local shops and restaurants.
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