Newcastle to embrace ethical shopping and food citizenship in city’s first ever Fairtrade Trail

A brand new event encouraging the people of Newcastle to shop Fairtrade is set to launch this month.

The first ever Newcastle Fairtrade Trail will run from Monday 21st September to Sunday 4th October, coinciding with Fairtrade Fortnight 2026, and will feature a number of participating venues across the city to celebrate Fairtrade goods and food citizenship - the idea that everyone is an active participant in the entire food system, rather than passive consumers at the end of the supply chain.

Food Newcastle, the Newcastle Fairtrade Partnership, and Shared Interest Society have partnered to deliver the city’s inaugural trail, which will see participating venues welcome customers to browse their Fairtrade products.

Among the confirmed venues already on the trail’s online map are The Grand at Newcastle University, The Seven Bridges in Dance City, Cycle Hub on the quayside, Rehills of Jesmond, and a range of council venues and local Co-op stores - with more expected to sign up ahead of the fortnight and explore more Fairtrade stories.

As part of the event, trailgoers can use a specially-created online map to find and visit participating venues, as well as have the chance to win an exclusive hamper stocked with Fairtrade goodies, treats and activities. Those taking part in the trail can enter the prize draw by taking and submitting a photo using the online form of one of the 40 Fairtrade-themed artworks on display across the venues.

Each artwork has been hand-drawn by schoolchildren from the local area, including pupils from Central Walker Church of England Primary School in Walker, Our Lady & St Anne’s Catholic Primary School in the West End and St Bede’s Catholic Primary School in Denton Burn.

A range of cafes across Newcastle are joining in the Fairtrade Trail, including The Seven Bridges in Dance City in the city centre. The cafe is a collaboration between Dance City and West End Refugee Service (WERS), which aims to empower refugees and asylum seekers through hands-on hospitality training and development.

Becca Whitmore, Manager & Volunteer Coordinator at The Seven Bridges Cafe, commented: “We’re excited for The Seven Bridges café to join this year's Newcastle Fairtrade Trail. Our volunteers enrich our cafe and community by sharing their home cultures, traditions and recipes created alongside our chef. Joining the Fairtrade Trail truly reflects our values: community, connection and fairness.”

Venues that pride themselves on stocking Fairtrade items are also getting involved. The Grand at Newcastle University is a stockist of local firm Ringtons, which has a range of Fairtrade products. Meg Robson, Food and Beverage Manager at The Grand, explained: “Hospitality Services at Newcastle University has supported Fairtrade initiatives for many years, and we are delighted to be part of the Newcastle Fairtrade Trail.

“The Grand, along with all of our cafés, proudly serves Ringtons Fairtrade products with the care and skill they deserve, and we hope you take the opportunity to try them for yourself. We look forward to welcoming everyone taking part in the trail!”

Alongside food and drink-based venues, a range of independent businesses specialising in other products are also taking part. Heaton-based store Curvy Sounds sells a range of musical instruments and accessories. Their team said: “The way we spend our money is powerful; if we buy Fairtrade, we are helping to push our world in the right direction.

“At Curvy Sounds we are proud to sell beautiful, hand painted Fairtrade instruments, and the artisans that make them from around the world get a proper wage - this makes both us and our customers happy!"

Food Newcastle Coordinator Carlos Yescas has spearheaded the event in Newcastle, having seen firsthand its success in other parts of the world. He explained: “When we talk about sustainability, we cannot think only locally, we need to think globally.

“The Newcastle Fairtrade Trail co-organised by Food Newcastle, Shared Interest and the City Council is a way to connect city residents with local businesses, but it does so much more - it actually connects our local consumption of fairly traded products with the well-being of the communities that produce them abroad.

“In a way, the trail expands beyond Newcastle to the communities who produce the teas, coffees, chocolates, fruits and crafts that we enjoy everyday.”

To find out more about the Newcastle Fairtrade Trail and see the map of participating venues, visit https://www.foodnewcastle.org/fairtrade-trail/.

Featured image: Stephen Thomson