Change today - choose Slough fairtrade
Slough Borough Council is supporting the Slough Fairtrade Town Initiative Group who are taking part in the national Fairtrade Fortnight campaign ‘change today, choose Fairtrade’.
The two week annual Slough event started yesterday, February 26, and will end on March 11 with a series of events in the town.
The aim is to challenge people to make small changes by switching to Fairtrade, which will trigger a positive change in communities in developing countries.
The direct benefits to farmers and workers in the developing world means they in turn will be able to make changes to their lives and environment.
Cllr Robert Plimmer, Slough Borough Council's Fairtrade champion, said: "Making small changes in the way we act as consumers can give people in developing countries a better way of life.
“If enough people make a change in their shopping habits, a community in Africa, Asia or Latin America can build classrooms, employ a part-time nurse or construct a road so that they can get their produce to market.
“Beside food, there are other products from these countries and we should make sure the producers are making a sustainable living.
“Fairtrade has been embraced enthusiastically in Britain but more and more people need to line up behind Fairtrade so more producers can sell more under Fairtrade terms.”
One in two people in the UK recognise the fairtrade mark and the Fairtrade Foundation is keen to use this year's campaign to increase understanding of consumer decisions to help tackle poverty in the developing world.
Research undertaken by the foundation shows that many people know and agree with the concept of Fairtrade, but they have still not made the switch to its products.
The events being held in Slough are -
* Saturday March 3, from 10am to midday - Fairtrade coffee morning at St Andrews Shared Church, Elmshott Lane Cippenham, Slough.
* Tuesday March 6 from midday to 2pm - Fairtrade stall at the lunchtime cafe at St Andrews Shared Church, Elmshott Lane, Cippenham, Slough.
* Saturday March 10 from 11am to 1pm - Fairtrade stalls in the Slough Town Square.
Fairtrade sales are doubling every two year with more than 2,000 retail and catering products and all major supermarket chains are now stocking Fairtrade products.
The annual Fairtrade Fortnight is promoted by networks around Britain which include trade unions, development agencies, pressure groups and charities, churches and faith-based organisations.
The Slough Fairtrade Town Initiative, with the help of Slough Borough Council, would like Slough to attain Fairtrade Town status along with 200 other Fairtrade Towns in Britain.
Slough Borough Council.