Shoppers asked to trade fairly

Co-op stores in Earby and Brierfield are encouraging their customers to sample Fairtrade foods which guarantee producers in developing countries a minimum price for their goods.

The two stores are the only Co-op outlets in East Lancashire to get in-volved in the campaign, which is being run by the Co-op nationally.

Fairtrade chocolate, flapjacks and sultana cake will be on offer for shoppers to try while new goods in the range include white rum and Bumble Bee Honey Ale.

Co-operative Group regional secretary Joan Keysell said: "Our members are again enthusiastically supporting this campaign to help ensure a fair deal for workers and producers in developing countries.

"We hope to encourage more Co-op customers to buy Fairtrade products in the future."

Fairtrade Fortnight runs from March 1 to 13 and the Co-op will be launching a dedicated website for the campaign to show where the money from Fairtrade goods

goes to.

Producers are guaranteed a minimum price covering the cost of production and an extra premium which is invested in their local community.

The Fairtrade label was launched in 1986 on coffee sourced from Mexico. The movement started when development agencies realised that consumers had the power to improve the situation for producers in the developing world.

By buying direct from farmers and marketing goods directly, cutting out the middlemen, charities were able to pay producers a better price and give consumers the opportunity to buy on the basis of fair trade.

The Co-op has more than doubled its range of Fairtrade products in the last year and now has more than 100 Fairtrade goods on offer.

The store is offering 20 per cent off Fairtrade goods during the fortnight and there will be tasting sessions at the Earby and Brierfield branches.

The Co-op will be offering samples of Fairtrade chocolate, cake, tea and coffee at Brierfield on March 9 from 10am to 1pm and at Earby on March 12 from 10am to 2pm.