Until October 17th, the Fair Trade Week is in full swing. In Ottignies, on October 9th, Lutgarde Nachtergaele, a volunteer with Oxfam, and Dorothée Hébrant, project manager for the Maison du Développement Durable (MDD), hosted an information and awareness stand at the local market. Although the rain limited the number of passersby, their commitment was evident.
Lutgarde Nachtergaele offered tastings of Oxfam fruit juices and biscuits, while Dorothée Hébrant treated visitors to crepes made with local ingredients, including a touch of local beer – a tip that surprised and delighted Claire Jadot, a local resident.
These treats served as a starting point to discuss the pillars of sustainable food: biodiversity protection, climate change mitigation, the well-being of producers and consumers, and food resilience. This latter concept, defined as a territory's capacity to provide adequate and healthy food under any circumstances, sparked interest.
Among the curious was Nathalie De Taeye-Delpierre, the alderman responsible for Commerce, who braved the elements. Interested individuals could participate in a quiz about fair trade principles and the concept of a "fair price," which aims to ensure producers and their families have the means for a decent life.
Lutgarde Nachtergaele reminded attendees that Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, designated a "Fair Trade Municipality" in 2018, received a "C" score (57%) on the Fair-ô-mètre in 2024. She emphasized the need for ongoing efforts, particularly in re-engaging local shops, cafes, and restaurants, to improve this score in the next evaluation. The municipal services have pledged their support.
