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A meeting of interested parties was held on 17th May 2006 and a steering group was formalised and appropriate office bearers were appointed - with West Lothian Council agreeing to support Uphall's bid for Fairtrade Village status.  In March 2007, Uphall was awarded Fairtrade Village status.

The volunteers on the Uphall Fairtrade Steering Group continue to promote Fairtrade and routinely hold events and have stalls at community coffee mornings, gala days, etc.

5 Goals

There are five goals which must be met to become a Fairtrade village.  These are:

1)  Local council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and agrees to serve Fairtrade products (for example, in meetings, offices and canteens).

2)  A range of Fairtrade products are readily available in the area’s retail outlets (shops, supermarkets, newsagents and petrol stations) and served in local catering outlets (cafés, restaurants, pubs).

3)  Local workplaces and community organisations (places of worship, schools, universities, colleges and other community organisations) support Fairtrade and use Fairtrade products whenever possible. A flagship employer is required for populations over 100,000.

4)  Media coverage and events raise awareness and understanding of Fairtrade across the community.

5)  A local Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure the Fairtrade Town campaign continues to develop and gain new support.

What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is a partnership between producers and consumers which ensures producers receive good working conditions and fair prices.  Fairtrade guarantees a better deal for Third world Producers.

The fairtrade mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal.Today, more than 5 million farmers, workers and their families across 49 developing countries, benefit from the international Fairtrade system.

Check out Fairtrade - Your one minute guide to the Fairtrade mark:

Q: What Does the Fairtrade Mark Do?

A: The Fairtrade mark is unique. It guarantees farmers in developing countries a fair price for their products which covers their costs. Because the price is stable, it allows them to plan for the future.

Q: Why Do We Need It?

A: The rules and practices of interntional trade are biased in favour of rich countries and powerful companies, often to the cost of poor producers. Buying Fairtade products changes the lives of millions of people worldwide and shows how trade can be made to work in favour of poor people and the environment.

Q: How does it work?

A: When you buy a product carrying the Fairtrade mark, you know it has been independently certified to meet standards set by the Fairtrade foundation. They check to make sure that producers are getting a better deal.

Q: Is it a brand?

A: No. You can find the Fairtrade mark on products from more than a hundred companies. The Fairtrade mark is an independent stamp of approval.

The Need for Fairtrade

Million of farmers depend on selling their crops to survive. But it's a risky business - when prices drop it can spell disaster for farmers. If they earn less than it costs to run the farm, they face real hardship - struggling to buy food or keep their children in school. Ultimately, they may lose their land and their livelihood.

By buying Fairtrade certified products, you're giving farmers a chance to sell their products at a stable price that covers their costs and enables them to support their families and invest in the future.

Local Outlets

Below are details of where Fairtrade products are used, or can be bought.

• The Open Door - serves Fairtrade tea, coffee and biscuits.  Opens daily between 10am and 2pm.
• ScotMid - sells a vast range of Fairtrade products including tea, coffee, sugar, choc chip shortbread biscuits, chocolate cake, sultana cake, chocolate brownies, energy bars, bars of chocolate, wine, bananas, grapes, oranges, satsumas, mangos and pineapple.
• Uphall Golf Club - serves Fairtrade Coffee and Cocoa.
• St Nicholas Church (Strathbrock Parish) - serves Fairtrade Tea and Coffee after each service.
• Strathbrock Church Hall - holds regular coffee mornings where Fairtrade Tea and Coffee is served.
• Uphall Community Education Centre - provides Fairtrade Tea and Coffee to staff and visitors.
• Uphall South Parish Church - holds regular Coffee mornings and serves Fairtrade Tea and Coffee at every function where tea and coffee is served.