The One World Shop and the supermarket chain Scotmid were presented awards for their support and promotion of ethically sourced products today, as part of the 2008 Fairtrade fortnight.
Edinburgh Lord Provost George Grubb presented the awards to the retailers, alongwith a Community Award to Lochend YWCA for its cafe and an Individual Award to Ben Miller for his voluntary work to ensure that Edinburgh University promotes the sale and use of Fairtrade products in its student union and shops.
The One World Shop, just off Princes Street, has been a
supplier and campaigner for Fairtrade products from a very early stage with One World Shop staff and volunteers regularly giving talks and
running stalls in Edinburgh's schools, churches and community groups.
Scotmid Co-op, which just announced
that it will now switch entirely to Fairtrade hot drinks, promotes Fairtrade food with its wine range
(now at least twelve different types) and use of Fairtrade
ingredients in existing products, such as cakes, biscuits, and muesli.
"The Fairtrade movement makes a real difference to the lives of those in communities less fortunate than our own," said Grubb.