Fairtrade Fortnight takes place this year, between February 22nd and March 3rd, the theme of this year’s event is ‘The Big Swap’. The Fairtrade Foundation are asking people to swap something they use regularly and replace it with a Fairtrade version, for example your usual bananas, tea bags or coffee.
Fair Trade Cardiff along with partner organisations have organised a number of events to take place across the city to help you find out more about Fairtrade products and help you decide what to swap.
On Tuesday February 23rd, Chapter Arts Centre will host a special film screening of Black Gold. The film focuses on the coffee industry and follows one Ethiopian coffee grower’s fight for a fair price. Following the screening a Fairtrade coffee producer from the Gumutindo coffee cooperative in Mbale, Uganda will speak about how Fairtrade has helped them.
It’s time to grab your dancing shoes on Saturday February 27th to take part in ‘Strictly Fairtrade tea dance’ the free event takes place in the St David’s Shopping Centre (outside Marks&Spencer and Debenhams). From 11am dance the day away and find out more about Fairtrade. Exhibition and stalls, including Fair Trade Cardiff, who will be on hand to give information and also supply free samples.
This is a Fair Trade Tea Dance held to promote Fairtrade Fortnight and the Big Swap – an attempt to get the nation to swap their usual shopping items for the Fair Trade equivalent. There will be dance displays from local groups, free samples of Fair Trade food and drink and involvement from Marks and Spencer and Starbucks.
Mohammad Sawafta and Thomas Cazalis, olive farmers from Palestine, will be visiting Fair Do’s in Canton on March 2nd between 10.30am and 11.15am. Fair Do’s supply Zaytoun Fairtrade olive oil and Mohammad and Thomas will pay a special visit to the store, before moving on to Chapter Arts Centre at 11.30, where they will give people the opportunity to sample the variety of Fairtrade products Zaytoun produces.
Finally to conclude a fun packed fortnight, Waterloo Teahouse in Penylan will hold a Tea Tasting evening on March 3rd. Fairly traded teas from across the world will be available for people to sample, plus Sue Fisher, a volunteer from Fair Dos in Canton will talk about her experiences of visiting Fairtrade tea producers in India. The event starts at 6.30pm for more information on the event or to purchase tickets contact [email protected]
Executive Member for Enviroment, Cllr Margaret Jones, said:” Each year Fair Trade Cardiff puts together a varied and wonderful programme for people to find out more about Fairtrade, and yet again this year they haven’t disappointed. There are events for all the family to enjoy and find out about Fairtrade products which I hope will encourage people to take part in the Big Swap.”
