Fair Trade Fortnight Launch at Limerick City Library

On Friday 29th February, Fair Trade fortnight was launched in Limerick City Library by the Mayor Cllr. Ger Fahy. On hand to explain the importance of this movement was Armanda Choco who is an indigenous Mayan from Belize who works with the Toledo Cacao Growers Association (TCGA). The Cacao produced by TCGA goes into Green & Black's Maya gold chocolate bar. This was the 1st Fair Trade chocolate bar to hit the market.
Mr. Choco explained how the fair trade price his farmers receive enable them to educate their children and improve their lives.







Press Release


Fairtrade Fortnight was officially launched in the Limerick City Library Michael Street by Mayor Cllr Ger Fahy on Friday 29th February. Mr Luis Armondo Choco, a Fairtrade Producer from Belize was the guest speaker at the event.

Fairtrade is about better prices and decent working conditions for producers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices, Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which often discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. Fairtrade enables producers to improve and have more control over their lives. For a product to be sold under the fairtrade logo it must reach certain standards. These standards include both minimum social, economic and environmental requirements.

The Fairtrade minimum price defines the lowest possible price that a buyer of Fairtrade products must pay the producer. The minimum price is set based on a consultative process with Fairtrade producers and traders and guarantees that producers receive a price which covers the cost of sustainable production. When the market price is higher than the Fairtrade minimum price, the market price is payable.


Limerick is one of twenty-six Irish cities and towns with the fairtrade mark. Mayor Ger Fahy thanked the Limerick Fairtrade Committee for their ongoing work.

Mayor Cllr Ger Fahy

‘I am delighted with Limerick City’s involvement in the Fairtrade movement and proud of the city’s status as a Fairtrade City. ‘


Luis Armando Choco, an indigenous Mayan living in the village of San Pedro Columbia, Toledo District, Belize is the manager of the Toledo Cocoa Growers Association (TCGA) says…..

‘Since becoming Fairtrade, the TCGA has accomplished various social, environmental and economic benefits for the farmers, including the rehabilitation of an abandoned cocoa plantation whose income provides jobs for farmers and assistance for local schools. Similarly, it provides loans to farmers for major orchard maintenance thereby increasing productivity. Fairtrade contributes significantly to farmers when given the right to decide where their money will be spent.’

Dolores O Meara, Chair of the Limerick Fairtrade Committee

‘Fairtrade helps to make real and lasting differences to thousands of fairtrade producers in the developing world. It empowers communities to help themselves. Fairtrade certification system covers a growing range of products, including bananas, tea, coffee, honey, cocoa cotton, dried fruits, juices, nuts rice, sugar and wine.’


Fairtrade is about better prices and decent working conditions for producers in the developing world.
Limerick is one of twenty-six Irish cities and towns with the fair-trade mark.

Retail sales in Ireland are up by 74% to over 20 million in 07 from 11.5 in 2006.

56% of irish people are now aware of Fairtrade brand compared with 16% in 2002.

Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which often discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers.

Fairtrade enables producers to improve and have more control over their lives.

For a product to be sold under the fairtrade logo it must reach certain standards. These standards include both minimum social, economic and environmental requirements.