More Fair Trade for Stockport, says MP

Stockport MP Ann Coffey is encouraging Stockport shoppers to buy fair trade products during Fairtrade Fortnight (25th February to March 9th). 

Fair trade sales in the UK have been doubling every two years for the last eight years, and the total value of fair trade labeled products sold in the UK in 2006 was £284 million – up from £196 million in 2005.

Ann Coffey said:  “I am really pleased about the growth in fair trade shopping.  It is becoming a basic part of our weekly supermarket shop. There are so many fair trade products we can buy, from bananas and sugar to wine and cotton T-shirts. By buying fairtrade produce we can actually make a difference and help tackle global poverty.”

Fair trade is about giving a fair deal to farmers and their families in developing countries.  Having a stable retail market in the UK offers thousands of individual  producers, from cotton farmers to rose growers, the opportunity to more towards a better future. If they can build their businesses, the whole community benefits and poverty is reduced.

Ann Coffey will meet staff and customers of Sainsbury’s Stockport this week to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight over some coffee and bananas – 100% fairtrade of course!