Traders ensure fairtrade (From Ledbury Reporter)

Traders ensure fairtrade

10:38am Friday 1st March 2013 in News

HELPING those in the developing world is the theme as Fairtrade Fortnight hits town.

Organisers say it is a chance for the town to show its ethical status on its sleeve, and also for local shops to show their support for local farmers and developing world producers alike.

The market town has backed the international event for a decade now, with Fairtrade Coffee Mornings taking place at the Baptist Church in the Homend as early as 2003.

But Ledbury finally became an official Fairtrade Town in April 2005, one of just 100 in the UK, with the support of the town council.

The town council still religiously serves Fairtrade goods such a tea and coffee at official functions, and traders are still keen to beat the drum for the global initiative and to explain why it matters.

Annie Samwells of Ethos, Ledbury High Street, said: “I think it’s great that people can buy produce that will help the third world.

“It’s that feel-good factor!”

And Janette Ward, secretary of the Ledbury Town Fairtrade Steering Group said: “This also about encouraging people to buy local farm produce where possible, so it definitely helps local producers also.”

The Ledbury area has at least 20 active Fairtrade shops.

Fairtrade fortnight, complete with promotional displays in the St Michael and All Angels Church and town library, runs from now until Sunday, March 10.