Letter: Fairtrade events to make a difference

Fairtrade Town Shrewsbury is calling on the local community to support Fairtrade Fortnight 2015 and bring about positive change for millions of farmers and workers in developing countries.

Campaigners will share stories from the people who grow our favourite products, to remind everyone of the dramatic difference Fairtrade makes in their lives. All over Shrewsbury, there will be banners, posters and displays reminding shoppers of the difference they can make by changing to Fairtrade products.

Miles Kenny, from Fairtrade Town Shrewsbury, said: "Over the past 20 years, Fairtrade has paved the way for fairer and ethical trading but there is still a long way to go. Trade isn't working for the poorest farmers in the global south. We want to enable many more farmers and workers to benefit from the Fairtrade system, so they can receive a fairer deal too."

Seventy per cent of the world's food is produced by 500 million smallholder farmers, yet many of them remain trapped in chronic poverty while shoppers here enjoy the fruits of their labour at unrealistic prices. Fairtrade ensures farmers across the developing world receive a fair price for their produce; they then decide what the "Fairtrade Premium" is spent on.

You can find out more about Fairtrade Fortnight, and how to get involved in your local area, at www.fairtrade.org.uk/fortnight or www.shrewsburyfairtrade.com or on Twitter @ShropsFairtrade