B&NES Council is inviting local residents to get involved in Fairtrade Fortnight, an annual campaign which aims to raise awareness of the need for fair pay and better working conditions for the farmers and workers who grow our food.
The campaign this year runs from today, 29th February – 11th March.
Cllr Martin Veal (Conservative,Bathavon North), Cabinet Member for Community Services and Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Partnership Board, said: “Fairtrade is a method of trading which guarantees a better deal for producers in the developing world.
“They are paid a stable price which covers their production costs and a premium that they can invest in the business or in social and environmental schemes for the wider community.
“By purchasing Fairtrade goods shoppers, businesses and organisations can make a real difference to the lives of those living in developing countries.”
The theme of this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight is ‘Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers’, with the focus of supporting farmers who grow breakfast staples such as coffee, tea, sugar, cocoa and bananas.
During the campaign, communities across Bath and North East Somerset will be supporting the campaign with a series of fun and informative events, ranging from talks with producers to tastings and quizzes.
In addition several schools, churches and other organisations are hosting Fairtrade bake-offs and Fairtrade breakfasts.
Bath University in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council and Bath Spa University are hosting a Fairtrade Producer event on Wednesday 9th March 1pm – 2:30pm. Ana Maria, a Nicaraguan Fairtrade producer, will be sharing her experiences and there will be a talk by the Chief Executive of the Fairtrade foundation Michael Gidney.
The event will also include short film presentations and a panel debate.
This year’s events follow the successful reaccreditation of Fairtrade status for the communities of Bath and Keynsham in 2015 and Saltford in 2014.
To achieve this each area had to achieve 5 goals – Council involvement; the establishment of a steering group; Fairtrade products being sold in local shops, cafes and restaurants; Fairtrade in the community; and public and media outreach.
For a full programme of events, visit: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/fairtradeevents.
If you would like to get involved in the Fairtrade campaign, visit Fairtrade Southwest at: www.fairtradesouthwest.org.uk or join the Fairtrade group on the Bath & North East Somerset Environmental Sustainability Network at www.sustainabilitynetwork.co.uk/group/fairtrade.
