Five Wycombe For Fairtrade Steering Group members met with Christine and Carolin at Trinity United Reform Church on Saturday 23rd May from 2.20 pm to 3.40 pm.
It was a very productive discussion in a very friendly atmosphere. We outlined some broad areas of mutual interest with some examples of local engagement and involvement with local people, organisations, and young people. Everyone made contributions and were looking forward to working together and establishing a list of possible projects we could discuss at a future joint Teams/Zoom meeting.
Those present
Christine Michel (Kelkheim Fairtrade)
Carolin Michel (Kelkhelm Fairtrade)
Mike King
Sarah Moroz
Sheena King
Jhon Munoz
Angus Massie
Tony Thornby
Everyone present introduced themselves and summarised their roles and backgrounds.
Kelkheim Events Since October 2025
- A ‘craft circle’ was held and advertised on social media in March 2026. There was also clothes exchange where people could bring old clothes. At these events they talk about the circular economy and sustainability.
- They held an event in the Kelkheim market place, where the group had a sofa and people were invited to sit and knit or crochet and chat about Fairtrade.
- Two schools in Kelkheim had qualified as “Fairtrade Schools”
- Christine informed the Wycombe Fairtrade Steering Group that 11 out of the 12 settlements in the Taunus Regional Fairtrade Group had Fairtrade status.
- Cities like Kelkheim benefit from raising their own finances through regional taxation.
- Kelkheim Fairtrade noted that public feedback of Fairtrade goods was deemed to be expensive, however, Fairtrade products were generally believed by consumers to be of high quality.
- New Kelkheim Fairtrade Coordinator is now Sarah Kruse:
- With Frankfurt being declared the “World Design Capital 2026”, there could “spin offs” applications and events by local Fair Trade groups.
- An Advent calendar event, in which one of the ‘doors’ is Fairtrade. Hot chocolate and orange juice are offered, primary school children in classes 10/11 sing and are told a story giving them an idea of the Fairtrade system.
Shared Details of Wycombe for Fairtrade Events
- The launch of the Wycombe/Grecia collaboration coffee in March 2023 using Coope Victoria beans, roasted in Gerrards Cross, launched by the Mayor and Ambassador Ortiz from the Embassy of Costa Rica at Highcrest Academy on 6th March 2023.
- The Christmas tree event in All Saints Church in December 2025 was very useful promotion for our group.
- The link with the Fairtrade group in Guernsey has advanced in that the local Fairtrade Bean-14 roaster had managed to obtain Costa Rican Fairtrade green beans for test roasting.
- The formal High Wycombe – Kelkheim Fairtrade Towns link within the existing Town Twinning Association has been agreed, so Wycombe now has a second partner Fairtrade Town in Kelkheim to add to the Fairtrade Town of Grecia in Costa Rica and the Fairtrade producer cooperative, CoopeVictoria.
Suggestions for future collaborations
- At this year’s Christmas tree event in All Saints Church, we could do a joint Wycombe/Kelkheim theme for our tree.
- We could take part in the popular Christmas market in Marlow this year.
- Establishing 3 – monthly Zoom meetings to aid transparency.
- Exchanging Kelkheim – and Wycombe For Fairtrade meeting minutes.
- Kelkheim are considering targeting nurseries encouraging younger children and toddlers tasting Fairtrade chocolate, while informing their parents through their children the importance of the Fairtrade blue and green logo.
Common Challenges and Issues for both groups include
- An ageing Fairtrade core group of volunteers.
- Problems getting the message across to a greater volume of local residents.
- Attracting and including younger people with new ideas.
- Establishing a presence with schools and/or youth clubs promoting sustainability, human rights, biodiversity, climate change mitigation, gender equality etc., all pillars of Fairtrade.
