Farmers thanks for fair deal

A banana farmer from the Caribbean has thanked the people of Southwell for their commitment to Fair Trade.

At the start of Fair Trade fortnight Mr Gideon Gilbert (37) from St Vincent in the Windward Islands was at the Minster School, Southwell, to explain how the scheme had improved life for farmers.

Around 250 people attended the event on Tuesday where seven stalls sold Fair Trade food, drink, clothes and jewellery.

The chairman of Southwell’s Fair Trade steering group, the Right Rev Ronald Milner, said Southwell was one of 300 Fair Trade towns in the country.

“Fair Trade can have its greatest impact if we extend the movement and get more people involved,” he said.

Southwell has been a Fair Trade town for almost two years.

Bishop Milner said: “Once you’ve achieved Fair Trade status you have to re-apply for it each year which means that each year people from the town have to show renewed commitment for Fair Trade and each year people in Southwell are keen to do that.”

The Minster School is working towards Fair Trade status. Pupils served Fair Trade refreshments of wine, fruit juice, dried fruit and nuts to visitors.

To achieve its goal the school has to provide Fair Trade products, set up a steering group and commit to educating pupils about Fair Trade.

Mr Gilbert, who has a five acre farm on St Vincent, has been a banana farmer for eight years and a Fair Trade farmer for five.

He said the introduction of Fair Trade meant farms were no longer making a loss and could hire workers.

“There were times as a child growing up on a banana farm when instead of going to school we were asked to stay at home and help with the farm,” said Mr Gilbert.

“Young children were deprived of an education because they had to help.”

Fair Trade provides a guaranteed minimum price for the bananas and gives farmers a social premium to pay for community projects.

“I wanted to come here and say thank you for what you have been doing for countries like mine,” said Mr Gilbert.