Herefordshire supports Fairtrade fortnight

Herefordshire Council is encouraging people to support Fairtrade Fortnight with a visit to the growing number of shops and restaurants serving and selling Fairtrade products.

Last year the authority took the decision to support Fairtrade produce, which benefits small farmers in developing countries.

And Herefordshire has now submitted its bid to be a Fairtrade county – Herefordshire now boasts nearly 40 shops and over 20 restaurants and cafés serving and selling Fairtrade products.

The county website, at http://www.herefordshirefairtrade.org.uk, includes a full directory of suppliers and the latest Fairtrade news.

“It’s not too late to get in the Herefordshire Fairtrade Directory - if your business serves or sells more than two Fairtrade lines you can be featured free of charge,” said Trish Marsh, Herefordshire Council’s Sustainability Manager.

Businesses wanting to register can do so by visiting the website.

To mark Fairtrade Fortnight in Herefordshire, one of the key events for Fairtrade fortnight takes place at Starbuck Café, near the Black and White house in Hereford’s Hightown on the evening of Monday, March 13.

Visitors to the shop will be able to enjoy free Fairtrade tea and coffee and join in a discussion led by Perry Walker, of the New Economics Foundation.

Herefordshire Council has been co-ordinating the bid for Fairtrade status for the county, working with community groups and Town Councils across Herefordshire.

The authority serves Fairtrade tea and coffee at all its public meetings and encourages other organisations to follow suit.

Recent initiatives to support this include sending out single cup samples of tea coffee and sugar to local tourism businesses and to schools.

All EcoSchools will also receive a complimentary Fairtrade pack to encourage them to serve Fairtrade drinks.