We are a Fairtrade Playgroup.

"An exemplary application ...
one of the most memorable and entertaining I have assessed"

"The commitment and enthusiasm evident in this application must surely have established the worth of Fairtrade in the children's awareness and provided them with a great foundation for further learning about Fairtrade issues"

Read more about our assessment here.

Our ideas are going to be used by theFairtrade Schools organisation to encourage other nurseries and playgroups who are in the process of applying for Fairtrade status.

A big thank you to everyone who worked so hard to arrange FT events, make FT produce or make Fairtrade picture books. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Why Fairtrade?

Millions of farmers depend on selling their crops to survive, but it's a risky business. When prices drop it can spell disaster. If farmers earn less money than it costs to run their farm they can face real hardship, struggling to buy food for their families or keep their children in school.

Fairtrade makes sure that farmers and producer organisations get a fair and stable price for their products to help them support their families and invest in a better future.

Why become a Fairtrade School?

The Fairtrade Schools Programme is a UK wide scheme that enables children of all ages to learn about how we depend on people from all over the world for our food.  It is based on the concept that it is only fair that the people who produce what we eat, wear and use should get paid enough to live on. Like Eco Schools, it is seen as a community venture, something with which staff, children, parents and the wider community can all become involved.  It runs alongside the Fairtrade Town, Fairtrade Church, Fairtrade Workplace schemes and ties in with Wales becoming the world’s first Fairtrade Nation.

What do we do?

• We have set up a Fairtrade Steering group, which includes parents and past parents, which meets once a term to plan Fairtrade activities.
• We are committed to using Fairtrade products (tea, coffee, sugar etc) in playgroup and at fundraising and social events.
• We introduce the concept of Fairtrade to the children in simple, practical and fun ways : Where does our food come from? Who grows it? What does it mean to be fair?
• We organise events which raise awareness about Fairtrade.

Where can I find out more about Fairtrade?

Fairtrade Foundation :  information on all aspects of Fairtrade including available products and an excellent frequently asked questions section which addresses issues such as buying local produce and supporting British growers. There is also a link to the Fairtrade Schools website from their home page.

Fairtrade Wales

The Coop has the largest range of Fairtrade goods of all UK supermarkets, including many own label Fairtrade products. It also has a good Fairtrade Website.

 Our favourite Fairtrade recipes

Crumbly Banana Squares

• 175g Fairtrade sugar
• 175g butter/margarine
• 225g self raising flour
• 100g porridge oats
• 2 medium Fairtrade bananas, mashed
• 25g Fairtrade sultanas
• Fairtrade caster sugar
• Baking tray (12 by 8 inch)

Directions

• Warm your oven to 200 C
• Cream together the sugar and butter / margarine
• Cut in the flour and oats to make a crumbly mixture
• Sprinkle half of the mix into the baking tray and press down lightly
• Spread over the mashed bananas and sprinkle the dried fruit
• Sprinkle the rest of the mix over and again press down lightly
• Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until golden brown
• Sprinkle with caster sugar
• Wait until it cools and cut into whatever size chunks you can manage to munch on!

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Fairtrade Assessment

Our assessor said: "Well done. This exemplary renewal application shows the development of your Fairtrade initiative, following your 2008 success with further imaginative and appropriate input. The 2009 report adds to one of the most memorable and entertaining applications I have assessed. I hope you continue to allow the use of your evidence as an encouragement to other pre-school applicants. It is a pleasure to recommend the renewal of Wick and District Playgroup’s Fairtrade status."

He was also particularly pleased with two books featuring the children learning about Fairtrade, commenting “These books are a superb example of how Fairtrade can be illustrated at the nursery stage of a child’s education”.