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News

TASTE THE DIFFERENCE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN FAIR TRADE FORTNIGHT

Borough of Poole employees are supporting the launch of National Fair Trade Fortnight by swapping their usual tea, coffee and snacks in favour of fair trade products.

The event which runs from 6-19 March aims to improve people’s quality of people life by supporting farmers in the developing world. The Borough of Poole will be joining supermarkets, church groups, shops, companies and charities across the country by using fair trade products.

In addition to sampling the fair trade fare, Borough of Poole staff will be asked to make a difference by pledging to buy one Fair Trade product every week. Events also support the national "Are You Doing Your Bit" campaign, adopted in Poole, which aims to encourage people to make small changes in their lifestyle -- such as buying fair trade goods, car sharing, recycling, and preserving water and energy - which will help protect the environment and improve quality of life.

Over 70 Fair Trade products ranging from tea, coffee, chocolate, cocoa and honey are now available in the majority of major supermarkets. Crops from each product are bought directly from small farmers at a guaranteed price which covers the cost of production. Packaging on each product includes the Fair Trade Mark - the only independent consumer label which guarantees a better deal for third world growers.

Cllr Bob Williams, Chairman of the Environment Policy Board, said: "It seems only fair that the products we eat and drink should provide decent livelihoods for the people who grow the ingredients. Problems such as the recent terrible flooding in Mozambique have been made worse by poverty. Fair Trade products give people a choice about the products they buy as well as providing a chance to think globally and act locally to help improve the quality of life for those less fortunate".

kirsten robb - tel. 01202 633062