Clonakilty in West Cork held a civic reception yesterday to celebrate its status as Ireland's first Fairtrade town.
Townspeople had conducted a 10-month long education and publicity campaign which encouraged shops and businesses in the town to stock Fairtrade products.
Fairtrade Mark Ireland, which awards a consumer label to products which meet internationally recognised standards of fair trade, is part of a worldwide campaign supported by, amongst others, Amnesty International, Concern, Christian Aid, Oxfam and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
It hopes to make a difference in the lives of Third World farmers, who are often forced to sell their produce for little or no profit.
In order to be officially labelled a Fairtrade town, Clonakilty had to meet a strict set of criteria, according to Mr Peter Gaynor, co-ordinator with Fairtrade in Ireland.
Among the requirements was a guarantee that Fairtrade products - including coffee, tea and chocolate - are used by at least 10 of the town's businesses and organisations, as well as the passing of a motion by the town's council supporting the campaign and encouraging its constituents to do likewise.
A steering committee petitioned the local council, gave talks in local schools and churches, and canvassed local businesses to become involved.
"This time last year there were no Fairtrade products available in Clonakilty," explained the chairwoman of the committee, Mrs Jennifer Sleeman. "It seemed to me it was a very important thing to do...I did feel a great deal of support within the town as people heard of it.
"I suppose our enthusiasm got the better of us," she continued. "Our town council came on board and supported us, and I hope that now there is not a person in Clonakilty who does not know what Fairtrade is."
One local businessman who got involved in the campaign was Mr David Henry, general manager of the Quality Hotel and Leisure Centre. When he received a letter from the committee informing him about Fairtrade, he said he was immediately interested in helping a local initiative.
"To be honest, the Fairtrade coffee is a slightly better brand of coffee than we had been using, so it was something very painless for us to do which means an awful lot to the people at the other end," he said.
"While using Fairtrade has not really made any difference in sales, a lot more people have been asking what Fairtrade means, so it helps to cement our business."
According to Mrs Sleeman, the example set by Clonakilty is one which she hopes other towns around Ireland will follow. Indeed, there are already several towns, including Ennis in Co Clare, Ballyfermot in Co Dublin and Leixlip in Co Kildare, which are hoping to gain Fairtrade town status in the future.
"I'd like to challenge other towns to do it," she said. "Get in touch with Fairtrade in Dublin and they'll help. We've done it, so why can't they?"