From the coffee in the community library to the products in gift baskets: for ten years now, it has been a matter of course in the Neubiberg town hall to ensure that the producers are paid and treated fairly when purchasing goods. In October 2012, the municipality was still under the aegis of the former mayor Günter Heyland (free voters) and was the first municipality in the district to acquire the title of Fairtrade municipality and it still bears it today. Ute Cox is responsible for implementation as Fairtrade representative in the town hall. In an interview, she explains the significance of the seal and what it has changed in the community.
SZ: How did Neubiberg become a fair trade community ten years ago?
Ute Cox: The initiator was Norbert Büker, head of the Kolping Family Neubiberg. The fair trade idea was first implemented by the churches. He suggested it to the then mayor Günter Heyland. The idea fell on fertile ground. The municipal council has unanimously decided to become a Fairtrade municipality. The current head of town hall, Thomas Pardeller, was already a member of the committee and also voted. On October 20, 2012, Neubiberg officially received the seal.
On International Women’s Day, Ute Cox distributes fair trade roses.
(Photo: private)
What requirements does a municipality have to meet?
It needs a council decision. You need a steering group that is committed and networked on the topic. We have now integrated them into the “Neubiberg for Future” group. You need local shops that offer fair products. There we have some. For example, the jeweler sells certified gold. There are certified fabrics in the fabric shop. Schools have to get involved too. We are doing well in Neubiberg: the grammar school and the junior high school are certified, and the Emile Montessori school wants to be too soon. You also have to keep the topic alive in public, for example through media reports.
The community just had to renew the seal, which is always valid for two years. What did she score with?
It is remarkable that so many schools are participating.
Environmental protection and careful treatment of the earth are becoming more and more important to people anyway. Is such a seal still necessary?
I do think it’s important. The goals of fair trade and sustainability partially overlap. If the working conditions of producers are improved through fair trade, this can also bring improvements for the environment. Through fair trade, producers not only get fair prices, but also bonuses, which they can use to finance sustainable projects on site, which in turn protects the environment.
Do you notice the fair trade idea in Neubiberg in everyday life or is the idea limited to the community serving fair trade coffee in the town hall and giving away gifts of the same kind?
I do think something has changed. The organic shop Vollcorner has recently opened. Many organic products are also fair. There are many fair products to buy at Edeka Hertschek. If the demand wasn’t there, the stores wouldn’t last as well. It’s a pity that we don’t have a one-world shop in Neubiberg. It would be suitable as a meeting place and place for events.
What is being done in Neubiberg in terms of fair trade?
The largest activity on the subject is the night organic market in the environmental garden. It took place for the first time ten years ago. Otherwise there are smaller events. There was once a fair breakfast in cooperation with the senior center. There you could try things at a buffet with organic, fair, regional products that you might never have bought before. We once hosted a fair cooking show at the youth center. On International Women’s Day we distribute fair trade roses. A Fairtrade dinner with invited guests is planned for the anniversary on October 21. With a bit of luck, citizens of Neubiberg can participate if they send an e-mail to [email protected] complete the following sentence: “I buy fairly because…”.
Have those involved always stayed on the ball, even during the pandemic, or are there challenges?
I’ve decided to network the actors with each other more again. That suffered during the Corona period. After that I want to try again in gastronomy. Two companies are participating, but it is difficult to attract new ones. The hurdles are not that high. For example, you would only have to serve fair trade sugar or give fair trade lemons to the tea.
What prompted you to become the community fair trade officer seven years ago?
At home, too, I try to have as sustainable and fair a lifestyle as possible. So I thought, that fits quite well. The more I read about the subject, the less I could ignore the facts. My buying behavior has also changed. For example, I pay much more attention to seals when it comes to clothing.
What can each individual do for the idea of fair trade?
You can do the most by choosing fair trade products when shopping. Just try it out, there is a large selection there too. I also found my favorite chocolate there.