This month, World Fairtrade Day falls on Saturday 14 May and is an important day in the Lake District calendar. The Lake District National Park shares the core values that Fairtrade represents and has a strong bond with the Fairtrade Foundation. In partnership with Cumbria Fairtrade Network, the Lake District was established as the world’s first Fairtrade National Park Zone and is home to a number of Fairtrade towns. The Lake District National Park Authority believes a sustainable future for food and farming depends on shopping locally and choosing Fairtrade for non-local products, in order to support both local farmers and producers in developing countries.

What is Fairtrade?

Founded in 1992, The Fairtrade Foundation is a charity that works towards providing fair wages and workers rights to disadvantaged producers in developing countries. The organisation promote products that are stamped with the Fairtrade Mark, which guarantees these goods have been produced in accordance with Fairtrade standards, protecting workers and the environment. Since the charity began, it has helped farmers and workers across the world work safely and invest in their communities and families, generating over 1 billion Euros over 25 years. Not only does Fairtrade help people earn the living they deserve, choosing Fairtrade products helps to tackle the climate crisis too. The charity mainly certifies small-scale farmers who agree to strict environmental standards, which include protecting the natural environment, banning the use of harmful pesticides, minimising the use of energy and making environmental protection part of farm management. Workers are not exposed to harmful chemicals and neither is the environment!

How does the Lake District support Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is all about protecting workers, farmers and the environment, which are values the National Park clearly shares. Across the Lake District, there are seven Fairtrade communities, 171 workplaces, three schools and 25 places of worship. The Lake District National Park Authority claim they are encouraging more people to buy local and Fairtrade products, distributing more Fairtrade products into retail and catering outlets, spreading support through local workplaces and community groups and raising awareness of Fairtrade through events and the media.

Ways you can support Fairtrade in the Lake District…

Cumbria is currently home to over 17 Fairtrade towns and villages, including Keswick, Kendal, Ulverston, Kirkby Lonsdale, Windermere and Bowness. In the Lake District, there are many ways you can show your support to Fairtrade, including eating and drinking, shopping, taking part in events and of course, hiking!

Walk the Fairtrade Way

The Fairtrade Way is a long distance footpath between Garstang (the world’s first Fairtrade town) and Keswick. The 90-mile route is advised to take around 6 days and was created to show support to the Fairtrade Foundation. Hikers are encouraged to enjoy Fairtrade food along the way and seek out Fairtrade accommodation. The route is split into 6 sections and explores the very best of Lakeland visiting Lancashire, Arnside, Kendal, Bowness-on-Windermere, Grasmere and eventually Keswick.

Shop Fairtrade

Over 140 community organisations in the Lake District, including shops and catering outlets, support and sell Fairtrade products, making it easy for locals and visitors to shop Fairtrade. A list of some local shops and cafes selling Fairtrade products include…

Friars Chocolates- Keswick

Situated on Keswick’s market square, Friars of Keswick was established in 1927 and still remains a family run business today. The shop specialises in luxurious, professionally made chocolates ranging from rich truffles, fine chocolate gift sets and hampers. Keep an eye out for Whitworth’s FairTrade chocolate creams!

The Rheged Centre- Penrith

Placed on the edge of the Northern Lake District, The Rheged Centre is a gallery, café, shopping venue and creative space ideal for a guilt-free shopping trip. The venue houses ethical clothing brand People Tree and Thought Clothing. People Tree offers a range of 100% Fairtrade certified organic cotton clothing made to the highest of ethical standards. Similarly, Thought Clothing creates clothing crafted from the kindest natural yarns to produce items made to last for years.

Windermere Wine Store

Windermere Wine Store, alongside Ambleside Wine Store, are independent wine and spirit merchants based in The Lake District. Fairtrade tend to support wine producers from South Africa, Argentina and Chile due to the unique economic, social and political challenges they face. The UK are great at supporting Fairtrade wine, with over 20.5 million litres of Fairtrade wine being drunk in the UK in 2019. Keep the trend going and keep a look out for the Fairtrade label on wine bottles. Popular Fairtrade brands include Bosman, Fairview and Pico a Pico.

Farrers Coffee Shop- Kendal

Founded by John Farrer in 1819, Farrers Coffee Shop has been blending tea and roasting coffee for over 200 years in the market town of Kendal. The historic coffee shop is still independent and family run today. The shop pride themselves on providing Fairtrade Costa Rica coffee which can be purchased to take home or enjoyed in store.

Stay in Fairtrade friendly accommodation

The Lake District is home to an abundance of beautiful hotels and guesthouses. Luckily, a lot of these support Fairtrade, serving Fairtrade food, tea and coffee as well as using Fairtrade bedding and cotton products. A list of some Fairtrade friendly accommodation options include…

Badgers Wood Guest House- Keswick

Located in the centre of Keswick, Badgers Wood Guest House is owned by couple Anne and Andrew Paylor, who were finalists in the AA UK friendliest B&B awards. Badgers Wood fully supports the principles of Fairtrade with the tea, coffee and sugar used in the house purchased only from verifiable Fairtrade producers.

Thorneyfield Guest House- Ambleside

Sitting the heart of Ambleside, Thorneyfield Guest House is a 6 room, Fairtrade B&B owned by local couple Andrew and Carol. The guest house serves Fairtrade tea and coffee alongside other products and also holds the Silver award from Green Tourism, making this an eco-friendly B&B too!

Castle Inn Hotel- Bassenthwaite, Keswick

Set beside Bassenthwaite Lake, overlooked by Lakeland’s highest fells, The Castle Inn is a beautiful hotel taking pride in their eco-conscious attitude. The hotel use energy saving light bulbs, source local produce to reduce their carbon footprint, bike storage is available to encourage guests and staff to use alternatives to cars and Fairtrade products are stocked up in guest rooms and the kitchen, when possible.

Get involved with local Fairtrade groups, fundraisers and events

There are a number of Fairtrade groups and organisations in the Lake District regularly hosting events, including…

Arnside Fairtrade Group regularly host fundraising coffee mornings, garden parties, cheese and wine evenings, afternoon teas, fashion shows with the Girl Guides and have established their own Fairtrade garden on the lower promenade.
Caldbeck Fairtrade Group run various Fairtrade events alongside establishing the volunteer run Fair World Shop in 1980, which still remains the towns main outlet for Fairtrade goods.
Carlisle Fairtrade Group host regular activities including art exhibitions, Fairtrade group walks, football competitions, fashion shows, quizzes, coffee mornings and trading at Carlisle Farmer’s Market.

Keep an eye out on the groups social media pages or the Cumbria Fairtrade website for upcoming events.

World Fairtrade Day 2022 in the Lake District: How you can support Fairtrade in the world’s first Fairtrade National Park Zone