Hull is embracing Fairtrade Fortnight with a series of celebrations to mark the campaign.
Fairtrade Fortnight, which takes place from Monday 25 February to Sunday 10 March, sees thousands of people, companies and groups across the UK celebrate those who grow our food, some of whom live in the poorest countries in the world – and are often exploited and badly paid.
This year, the focus is on people – particularly women – who grow the cocoa in chocolate.
Hull is one of the UK’s longest-serving Fairtrade Fortnight cities.
Fairtrade coffee mornings, bake-offs and other events will take place across the city over the next two weeks.
And this year, the city will host Mike Gidney, the Fairtrade Foundation’s chief executive, on Monday 4 March at a pancake day celebration at the Annex in Cottingham Road. The event, organised by Hull Fairtrade Partnership and Hull Faith in Fair Trade, will featuring pancakes with Fairtrade toppings, a stall from Fairer World and a visit from Deputy Lord Mayor Steve Wilson.
Councillor Rosemary Pantelakis, chair of the Hull Fairtrade Partnership Group, said: “Fairtrade makes sure that farmers and workers in developing countries around the world are paid a fair prices for their goods, earn a living wages and their communities also benefit. If you want to be sure these workers are given a fair deal, you should always seek out Fairtrade goods.
“This vitally important cause has always been fantastically supported in Hull and this year will be no different.”
Businesses across the city are also increasingly supporting the campaign.
At Trinity Market, traders including Near and Fair, Falafia and The Eco Shed, among other, include Fairtrade products among their goods.
Trinity Market’s Lucy Lines said: “Trinity Market has supported Fairtrade Fortnight since day one. Many of our traders sell Fairtrade goods, from clothes and trinkets to coffee and vegan chocolate. We are proud to support such a good cause.”
Share your Fairtrade Fortnight messages on social media using the hashtag #FairtradeHull.
Get more information about Fairtrade Fortnight here.
