Bad Tölz remains a "fair trade city" and thus supports humane trade

Created: 01/18/2022, 08:15

Fairtrade products can be purchased in the one-world shop on Tölzer Säggasse.

Saleswoman Anneliese Buckel holds the Tölz Fairtrade chocolate in her hands.

© Victoria Gray

Bad Tölz – Bad Tölz has been a “fair trade town” for seven years now – the title has now been renewed for the third time.

In doing so, the district seat has committed itself to supporting fair trade.

The first award took place in 2015, followed by events in 2017 and 2019. Most recently, those responsible came together in the Franzmühle parish hall to celebrate the third title renewal.

At the last meeting of the year, the city council was also informed.

In order to receive the "Fairtrade City" certificate, certain criteria must be met.

At least six shops and two catering establishments must have “fair trade products” on offer.

"Fairtrade standards" must be observed in public institutions such as schools, clubs or churches.

In addition, a steering group is responsible for the coordination and organization of events, which works on behalf of the city and currently consists of eleven members.

A successful example of “Fairtrade”: the “Tölzer Schokolade”.

"We are very pleased that we have been awarded the title 'Fairtrade City' for the third time," explained spokeswoman for the steering group, Barbara Rösch-Rupp.

34 companies, associations and institutions supported the "Fairtrade Initiative", some actively presented themselves in the city's online shop window with the certification.

As an example of the many events, Rösch-Rupp named the information stand at the farmer's market on the occasion of the five-year anniversary, as well as lectures and films in the world shop on Säggasse.

Another successful example is the fair “Tölzer Schokolade” project.

 Fairness towards one another and in trading suits us well.” 

Bad Tölz Mayor Ingo Mehner

Mayor Ingo Mehner (CSU) praised the commitment and the uncomplicated cooperation: "Fairness among each other and in trade suits us well." Oranges, cocoa or coffee cannot be sourced regionally. It is all the more important that when purchasing these products, attention is paid to compliance with social and sustainable standards.

"The topic has now reached many," said Rösch-Rupp. "We have found that there is hardly a company that does not think about sustainability". But implementation is not always easy. She cited gastronomy as an example. The criteria are actually easy to meet because, as in retail, the use of two fair products is enough. Nevertheless, there are still few supporters in the local gastronomy, because most of them have fixed suppliers who do not have fair products in their range.

The steering group has therefore decided to gain more supporters in the catering and hotel industry.

An exception here is the Tölzer Sportjugendherberge, which already uses fair trade products.

Cooperation with the other two Fairtrade municipalities in the district, the city of Wolfratshausen and the municipality of Benediktbeuern, is also to be intensified in the future.