Fair Trade Fortnight

Solihull Council is inviting people to join the Mayor of Solihull to taste some Fairtrade products and find out more about the issue of Fairtrade at a special open evening.

The Council has arranged the event in partnership with the borough’s Fairtrade Steering Group which is made up of local organisations, as part of national Fairtrade Fortnight which takes place between 23 February and 8 March.

On Wednesday 4 March, people can join the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor David Bell, at the Civic Suite, Council House from 7pm where Fairtrade chocolate, cake and other products will be available to sample and Council staff will be on hand to chat about Fairtrade.

Fairtrade is about making sure that farmers and workers in the developing world are paid better prices for their products, have decent working conditions and have fair terms of trade.

In October 2007, the Council passed a resolution supporting the Fairtrade Steering Group in its work to achieve Fairtrade status for the borough. Because of this, the Council now uses Fairtrade tea and coffee in all meetings and will soon be supplying Fairtrade bananas to all schools.

Other local events taking place during Fairtrade fortnight include:
• Children in borough schools will be given the chance to take part in workshops to create and sell their own Fairtrade products
• Fairtrade goods will be on sale at the Farmers’ Market in Solihull town centre on Friday 6 March.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Ken Meeson said: “We believe that we have a responsibility to do our bit to make sure that farmers in the developing world get a fair price for their products. I hope that people join us for our open evening and take the opportunity to find out how they can play their part too. By encouraging more local people and organisations to come on board we can achieve Fairtrade status for the borough and demonstrate our commitment to the issue.”

The Fairtrade Steering Group are always on the look out for local organisations who are interested in using Fairtrade products, and are encouraging them to either come along to the open evening or get in touch.