Go Bananas for Fairtrade!

People in Stratford are being invited to Go Bananas! next Friday 28 February by Fairtrade Stratford, the body which promotes Fairtrade in the town.

The invitation comes as the national Fairtrade Fortnight – which celebrates all things Fairtrade – gets under way.

Fairtrade Fortnight this year runs from Monday 24 February to Sunday 9 March, and is an opportunity to learn more about Fairtrade – and to support Fairtrade by buying Fairtrade products.

The theme of this year's Fairtrade Fortnight is bananas, and Fairtrade Stratford is encouraging everyone in Stratford to eat a Fairtrade banana on Friday 28 February.

The initiative is being supported by Stratford-on Avon-District Council, which will be promoting the idea to staff and visitors on the day. And it's easy to Go Bananas! in Stratford as all the town's supermarkets sell Fairtrade bananas.

“Bananas are one of the most widely purchased of Fairtrade products in this country," says Roger Matthews, the Chair of Fairtrade Stratford.
“But over the last ten years the shop price of bananas has halved while the costs of production have doubled. This puts great pressure on those who grow bananas – both small farmers and plantation workers."

Fairtrade helps banana producers by guaranteeing a minimum price for their crops, as well as providing a 'Fairtrade premium' to banana farming communities: extra money to fund communal services like local health centres and schools.

The national Fairtrade Foundation is calling on the Government to investigate unfair pricing of bananas, and more information on this can be found on the Foundation's website.

Meanwhile, here in Stratford, a number of schools and churches will be hosting special events to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight. For more details, and information about places to buy Fairtrade products in Stratford, see Fairtrade Stratford's website.

For further information please contact Roger Matthews, Chair of Fairtrade Stratford, on 01789 298503.