Mark launches stellar fun-packed Fairtrade Fortnight
19 Feb 2010
Mark will launch this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight on Monday 22nd February from Starbucks Coffee shop in Fishergate Shopping Centre. The theme for this year’s celebrations is entitled ‘The Big Swap’ and will include a swap event on the Flag Market on Saturday 27th February 2010.
The opening event will kick off a fortnight-long programme of events organised by the Preston and South Ribble Fairtrade Group. At the opening event, there will be performances from traditional African drummers and free samples of coffee will be distributed to participants.
The City of Preston was designated a Fairtrade City in June 2004 and as a result, many of the shops, cafes, churches, schools and businesses along with the University of Central Lancashire have been listed as Fairtrade establishments as well as Mark's Constituency and Westminster Offices.
Mark said: “It’s been nearly six years since Preston achieved Fairtrade city status and during that time the citizens of Preston have shown their dedication to battling global poverty by switching from everyday products to fairly traded goods in order to help people halfway across the globe. Britain is committed as ever to reducing global poverty through overseas aid, dealing with trade barriers and writing off the debts of the poorest nations. I hope this campaign encourages people to start buying fair trade now and continue to buy fair trade throughout the year.”
Anne Garsed, Chair of the Preston & South Ribble Fairtrade Group said: “This Fairtrade Fortnight we are asking people to 'make the swap' to Fairtrade. Swapping your usual tea or coffee to Fairtrade is a small step, but it has a huge impact on some of the world's poorest people. Fairtrade has come a long way, but there are still many producers out there who need to benefit from a fairer deal. So we want everyone in Preston to start swapping - to Fairtrade.”
Fairly traded products, such as tea, coffee and chocolate are clearly marked with the fair-trade symbol and ensure that the growers in the developing world have been paid a fair price and been afforded decent working conditions. Making the change to a fair-trade product means that these workers can afford basic provisions for their families, medical care; their children can go to school and the community can trade their way out of poverty.
Planned events during the Fairtrade Fortnight include: a presentation on a visit to Indian Tea Producers, the ‘Big Swap’ bring and buy event on the Flag Market, Fairtrade Cinema, Fair Mike Night, Big Brew at Womens’ World Day of Prayer and Fairtrade stalls at Ashton and Salmesbury Farmer’s Markets.
For a full list of events and further information about the Fairtrade Fortnight, go to www.fairpreston.org.uk