IPSWICH is expecting to hear tomorrow whether its campaign to become a Fairtrade Town has been successful.The Making Ipswich a Fairtrade Town steering group, which was established at the end of 2005 following a public meeting, has established a directory of retailers, users and suppliers and organised visits to schools, talks, art and poetry competitions, to encourage a greater take up and use of Fairtrade products in the town.

IPSWICH is expecting to hear tomorrow whether its campaign to become a Fairtrade Town has been successful.

The Making Ipswich a Fairtrade Town steering group, which was established at the end of 2005 following a public meeting, has established a directory of retailers, users and suppliers and organised visits to schools, talks, art and poetry competitions, to encourage a greater take up and use of Fairtrade products in the town.

Ipswich will achieve Fairtrade status if the Fairtrade Foundation feels the town has met the criteria, which includes having Fairtrade products readily available in the shops and used in work places and community organisations.

An Ipswich Borough Council spokesman said: “Fairtrade producers receive a guaranteed fair wage for their labour and produce which covers the cost of production and is sustainable.

“Producers also receive a social premium based on the volume of product produced and sold. The premium is then reinvested in the community to improve well being.

“Buying fairly traded goods such as tea, coffee, sugar and other products is the simplest way to help. By doing so it sends a message to the producers and shows that we care.”

The announcement coincides with the start of Fairtrade Fortnight and the visit of the foundation's campaign bus.

Tonight there will be a Fairtrade Wine Tasting evening held at St Matthew's School hall, Portman Road, at 7.30pm. This gives visitors a chance to sample a variety of Fairtrade wines from across the world and hear about their production.

Tomorrow the campaign bus, which is touring the UK, will be at St Matthew's Primary School at 8am to greet parents and children. The pupils will take part in a Fairtrade assembly before the bus moves to Arras Square, off St Stephen's Lane, between 11am and 2pm.

At about 12.15pm Ipswich will find out whether its bid has been successful.

The bus will then move on to the Rosehill Centre, Felixstowe Road, and be on site from 3pm to 5pm.

The steering group would like to hear from others who stock Fairtrade products.

To help or for more information e-mail Jarek.kopec@ipswich.gov.uk, call 01473 433275 or visit www.ipswich.gov.uk/fairtrade+in+Ipswich

Do you think it is important the town is awarded with this status? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.