What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing
world.  Buying Fairtrade products ensures that producers receive a fair price for their goods - and there is also a ‘social
premium’ which goes towards providing community facilities such as clean water. 
Producers decide on projects democratically.
Paying sustainable prices addresses the injustices of conventional trade which can discriminate against the
poorest, weakest producers.
To find out more about Fairtrade visit the Fairtrade Foundation website at www.fairtrade.org.uk
Felixstowe
Ipswich
Framlingham
Lowestoft
Beccles
Bury St Edmunds
Sudbury
Suffolk Association of Fairtrade Towns
The Suffolk Acssociation of Fairtrade Towns was set up in July 2016 following a meeting in Bradfield St George, hosted by the Bury St Edmunds Group.  Its aims are to promote Fairtrade in Suffolk, to share information on good practice and to co-ordinate action where appropriate.  For more information click here.
Suffolk has a number of Fairtrade Towns which have come together to form the Suffolk Association of
Fairtrade Towns (SAFT).  Fairtrade towns are towns where a special effort has been made to promote
Fairtrade, usually involving local councils, businesses, churches, schools and voluntary organisations. 
To obtain Fairtrade Town status towns have to meet a number of criteria laid down by
the Fairtrade Foundation (see the link at the foot of the page).  To find out more about SAFT please
click here; to find out more about each individual town click on the name in the map below.
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Profile of Felixstowe
Felixstowe is a seaside town with a population of about 29,000.  The Port
of Felixstowe is the largest container port in the UK.
The Felixstowe Fairtrade Forum is a voluntary organisation set up in 2007
to promote Fairtrade in Felixstowe.  We have worked closely with the
Town Council, businesses, churches and voluntary organisations. We
have given talks, organised events and participated in town activities
such as Art on the Prom.  We have worked closely with the town’s Youth
Forum and with schools to promote an interest in Fairtrade among young
people in the town.
In recognition of the town’s involvement in supporting Fairtrade,
Felixstowe was granted Fairtrade Town status in 2009 and this has
subsequently been renewed.
Profile of Beccles
Beccles is a market town in the Waveney Valley, on the edge of the
Broards and 10 miles from the Suffolk coast. It has a population of about
11000 and also serves as a centre for many villages in the surrounding
area.

It has a range of small, independent shops and businesses besides
supermarkets. There is a street market on Fridays.

It has been a Fairtrade Town since 2008 but has a longer history of Fair
Trade; in 1986 it had the first Fair Trade shop in Suffolk which traded for 16
years until fairly traded goods became more readily available in local shops.

More information can be found on our Facebook page (see link below)
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Profile of Bury St Edmunds
Bury St Edmunds is an old market town and the site of a once great abbey.
It has a cathedral and is a centre for the brewing and sugar processing
industries. It is also an important tourist destination. The town has a
population of about 42,000. 
Bury St Edmunds has a Fairtrade shop situated in the St John’s Centre in
St John’s Street. The Bury St Edmunds Fairtrade partnership is a voluntary
organisation set up in 2014 to gain Fairtrade Town status for Bury and to
promote Fairtrade in the town.  To achieve this we have worked closely
with the Town Council, businesses, churches, schools and voluntary
organisations. We have given talks, organised events, arranged meetings,
put up displays and encouraged shops and cafes to take pride in their
support for Fairtrade.  In recognition of the town’s involvement in supporting
Fairtrade, Bury St Edmunds was granted Fairtrade Town status in 2015
and we are now working hard to promote Fairtrade throughout the town so
that our status can be renewed in 2016.
Profile of Framlingham
Framlingham is a small market town with a population of approximately
3,500 and with a historic castle is something of a visitor hot-spot. We have
been a Fairtrade Town since 2008. The steering group is comprised of
representatives from the Town Council, the town’s churches, The Library
and Christian Aid.  Fairtrade Fortnight is celebrated every year in the town
and we have a FT stall which pops-up in the church and library every month,
and also at community events and in the Co-op foyer from time to time. The
group has a website and is on Facebook (links below).
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Profile of Ipswich
Ipswich is the county town of Suffolk and is located on the estuary of the
River Orwell. Ipswich is one of England's oldest towns being founded in 7th
century. In 2011 the population was approx 133,384.  The town has been
steeped in history and connected with many famous names. Thomas
Gainsborough lived and worked in Ipswich. Charles Dickens stayed in
Ipswich. Lord and Lady Nelson moved to Ipswich and Lord Nelson was
appointed High Steward in 1800. Thomas Wolsey was born in Ipswich.  Our
football club was once managed by Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson.
Ipswich gained Fairtrade status in 2008 and status was renewed in 2012.
We are very proud to be a Fairtrade town and how we are playing our part to
help those across the world work their way out of poverty with dignity. 
Ipswich has a Fairtrade shop set up 25 years ago selling a range of fairly
traded and environmentally friendly goods. For further information see the
‘links’ page from the menu.
Profile of Lowestoft
Lowestoft is on the North Sea Coast and is England’s most Easterly town
with a population of about 71000.  It is an important centre for oil and gas
exploration and for the renewable energy industry.  Lowestoft was the first
town in Suffolk to achieve Fairtrade status in 2004.
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Profile of Sudbury
Sudbury is a vibrant, market town in the South-East of Suffolk, on the
border with Essex. The River Stour flows through with its delightful
meadows either side. It is famous as the home of the landscape and
portrait painter Thomas Gainsborough (1727 - 1788). A statue of
Gainsborough stands on Market Hill. The town has been a centre of silk
production since the late Middle Ages.
Simon of Sudbury (1316 - 1361) was the Archbishop of Canterbury and the
Lord Chancellor of England.
In April 2012 Sudbury became a Fairtrade Town and this has been
renewed. Fairtrade status is proudly displayed on the town entry signs.