Stourbridge Fairtrade group gears up for Fairtrade Fortnight

A host of activities will be taking place throughout the two-week campaign which this year runs from Monday February 26 to Sunday March 11.

This year's 'Come on In' theme aims to get more people interested in the Fairtrade initiative which aims to bring about better prices and working conditions, sustainability, and fair trade terms for farmers and workers in the developing world.

As part of the annual campaign - Stourbridge Fairtrade group will be at Dudley Council House on Monday February 19, pledging their support to Fairtrade.

They will also be asking people to buy Fairtrade items and will be putting up displays in libraries and working with schools to help youngsters learn more about Fairtrade throughout the campaign fortnight.

The group, whose efforts ensured Stourbridge became the first Fairtrade town in the borough, will then be holding a Fairtrade giveaway on Saturday March 10 when members will be pushing trolleys decorated with bunting and balloons round the Ryemarket and the Crown Centre at 10.30am, giving out free Fairtrade goodies to shoppers, including tea, coffee sticks and bananas.

They will also be talking about what Fairtrade means, where people can buy products and providing samples for them to take home.

Sainsbury’s Amblecote, active supporters of Fairtrade, will also be giving a Fairtrade presentation to pupils at Brierley Hill Primary School in the second week of Fairtrade Fortnight.

Dudley Council, which is a Fairtrade Council - supporting Fairtrade within the authority, will also be hosting a pop-up exhibition in the council house during the fortnight.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said Fairtrade Fortnight "does a great job of raising awareness and hopefully changing people’s shopping habits" and he praised Stourbridge volunteers for helping to gain and maintain Fairtrade status for the town.