O’Donnell and Gray Go Bananas for Fairtrade!

 

Local MP and MSP Fiona O’Donnell and Iain Gray are giving their backing to Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from 27^th February to 11^th March.

 

Fairtrade promises producers in the developing world a fair price for their produce, with premiums in their prices often being re-invested in their local communities.

 

Ms O’Donnell and Mr Gray joined Bethany Duffy and Alison Paterson of The Co-operative in North Berwick last week to help raise awareness of Fairtrade Products.  The Co-operative was the first major retailer to stock a Fairtrade product nearly twenty years ago.

 

Iain Gray said:

 

“Having worked for Oxfam in the developing world, I know the difference that Fairtrade can make for farmers and communities.  So I am delighted to give my support to Fairtrade Fortnight.  Anyone who knows me will confirm that I like my coffee and where possible I try to make sure that the coffee I’m drinking is Fairtrade.  But the range of Fairtrade products now extends far beyond coffee to products like bananas, beansprouts, cotton and even wine, making it easier than ever to make a difference to communities on the other side of the world with your weekly shop.”

 

Fiona O’Donnell said:

 

“The Co-operative has demonstrated that social justice can go hand-in-hand with commercial success.  People are more interested than ever in how their food is produced and whether producers are getting a fair deal.  As part of Fairtrade Fortnight, I visited Musselburgh’s Fairtrade Launch at the Brunton Hall and was delighted to speak with Jennifer, a coffee farmer from Uganda, about how the Fairtrade initiative has helped improve communities around the world.  It’s incredible that people are increasingly voting with their feet, and their wallets, by buying food that is ethically produced for the benefit of communities in the poorest parts of the world.”

 

To mark Fairtrade Fortnight, Co-operative stores across East Lothian are encouraging shoppers to try Fairtrade produce with a 20% discount on many Fairtrade products.