In March 2026, The Sunday Times named Linlithgow the overall best place to live in Scotland in its annual Best Places to Live guide. Our historic West Lothian town was praised for its family-friendly atmosphere, medieval high street, and easy commuting . Although we are in the midst of a “ cost of living crisis “ most of us are fortunate to live in relative comfort.

On the other hand our TV , Press and other media coverage keeps us acutely aware and  allows us to see that there are other areas within our own country that are much less fortunate.  Plus we cannot fail to be moved by the horrors we see in the many troubled areas such as Ukraine , Iran , Palestine etc  where the environment is terribly war torn and people suffer great hardships.

This makes the news headlines for all the wrong reasons.

However, no less news worthy is the fact that there are even more people around the globe who currently appear compelled to suffer in silence. They live in seemingly relatively  peaceful conditions , working extremely hard , being overall economic contributors to their societal economies, yet they themselves , their families and often times their environments , suffer greatly as a result of their labours . They can be trapped in these terrible circumstances , subsisting yet without an alternative for themselves or their children. They are employed by organisations making products and foods that may ultimately sustain our way of life…….sustaining our “best way of living” here in Linlithgow . We can therefore end up,  inadvertently , contributing to sustaining their misery when we buy these products.

Fair trade aims to create fairer and more sustainable global business systems. It helps farmers and workers in developing countries earn stable pay, secure safe working conditions, protect the natural environment, and gain more control over their own futures.

Economic Aims

• Fair Prices: Set a minimum price that covers the average cost of sustainable farming.
• Extra Funds: Provide a financial bonus (the Fairtrade Premium) for community and business investments.
• Long-Term Support: Build lasting trade partnerships and offer financial advances (pre-financing) for harvests.

Social Aims

• Safe Labour: Ban forced labour, child labour, and workplace discrimination.
• Worker Rights: Support safe conditions and the freedom to form worker unions.
• Equality: Promote gender equality and empower women in local economies.

Environmental Aims

• Eco-Friendly Farming: Reduce harmful chemicals and cut down on waste.

Our local Linlithgow Fair Trade Partnership seeks to publicise these efforts and create awareness throughout our town by working with Schools , Libraries ,Churches and other Organisations to this end.

But you can help directly !

Parishioners can help by Supporting Fair Trade fortnight…

Fairtrade Fortnight 2026 takes place from Monday, 21 September to Sunday, 4 October 2026. Under the banner “Do it Fair,” the campaign focuses on championing fair pay, supporting producers against climate change impacts, and securing sustainable futures for global farmers and workers. Look for publicity and contacts in your local church and other organisations plus around the town .

And you can definitely help now by buying Fair Trade Products locally . In order to help you, we have attached a list of products and locations locally …..look out for the Fair trade marque and help by purchasing these items for your family’s weekly shop.

Make it a regular habit to seek out Fair Trade products.

 “Do It Fair”……..please !

FAIR TRADE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE LOCALLY

MARKS & SPENCER   All teas, including green teas (not herbal teas)All coffees, including cup filters and Nespresso pods Hot chocolate and drinking chocolateBananasMarmaladeJams (quite a range)Sugar (light brown, dark brown, golden granulated, caster)Chocolate bars (some)Vanilla podsWine (3 South African red & 2 South African white)	ALDI   Coffee, Chocolate, Bananas, Pineapples, Flowers, Cocoa.   _______________________________________________ LIDL (Boness)   Fair Trade Chocolate (own brand)Fair Trade Chocolates (own brand)Fair trade Bananas (not all were) Fair trade wine (only one type)
TESCO   BananasDried MangosMalbec wineCocoa powderCoffee BeansGround coffeeTea (Regular & Decaf)Green & Blacks Chocolate (various)Tony’s Chocolat (various bars)	SAINSBURY’S   Coffee, Tea, Bananas,Sugar, Nuts, Wine, Chocolate,Ice cream (Ben & Jerry)
GROW WILD   FT Chocolate (some types )FT Chocolates (some types)FT BananasFT TeaFT Coffee ___________________________________________ OXFAM TeaCoffeeChocolate BarsSocks	CALLUNA FAIR (formally – FAIR TRADEWINDS)   Chocolate Coffee Tea Sugar Spices Chutneys, Jams and mustard Salad dressings Kilombero rice   Also stocked are ethical products eg  jewellery, clothes & home items

For more info look online M&S/Fairtrade Products  – Same for ALDI, TESCO, LIDL etc

A Customer Assistant and young customer sporting their Fair trade Badges at Grow Wild Organics