Ipswich Fairtrade group invites Kenyan tea producer to town

Established in 2005, the Fairtrade group has been working in association with the international label to campaign for better treatment of farmers. 

It also hosts a mayoral reception every year in Ipswich, bringing a producer who can talk about the importance of farmers and the difficulties they have to go through. 

Patrick Kaberia was invited to this year's event. (Image: Contributed) This year. the group has invited Kenyan tea producer Patrick Kaberia. 

"Fairtrade is an important label because it ensures farmers and producers get the best result out of the product they are making," he said.

"I am glad to come to a town like Ipswich that prides itself in ensuring farmers get the best result of their work."

"This year we welcome an old friend Fairtrade tea producer from Kenya - Patrick Kaberia," said chair of the group, Elaine Coltham.

"We are looking forward to taking him to the Fairtrade shop, to the mayor’s parlour, and later to having him with us for the Reception in the evening."

The Fairtrade group helped Ipswich secure Fairtrade Town status in 2008, with the help of the council.

Ever since they have campaigned for talking about farmers' rights and sold several products from shops on Upper Brooke Street - the second oldest Fairtrade shop in the UK. 

Carole Jones has supported Fairtrade for several years. (Image: Archant) Councillor Carole Jones has been involved in the initiatives for a long time. 

She said: "We work to promote the sale of Fairtrade goods in Ipswich – Fairtrade means farmers and other producers in developing countries get a proper price for their goods, which in turn means that they can educate their children feed their families, and make environmental improvements to their working practices.

"It means communities can fund schools, access to clean water, and so on."