The Midcounties Co-operative in Chinnor is educating local children on the importance of ethical food practices and encouraging shoppers to put Fairtrade in their shopping basket for Fairtrade Fortnight.
As part of a workshop organised by Midcounties colleagues, around forty children at St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School got to sample Fairtrade produce and were taught about the positive impact choosing Fairtrade products has on the lives of farmers in developing countries, with activities including a colouring competition.
The pupils also learned about the Fairtrade Foundation’s campaign to help women in developing countries, like the Cote D’Ivoire and Guatemala, earn more than 74p a day, which is currently the average daily wage.
Zoe Atkins, Class Teacher and International Links Leader at St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, said: “Having colleagues from our local Midcounties Co-operative Food store come in to the classroom made the lesson engaging and memorable. The pupils immediately recognised the Fairtrade label and were really interested from the get-go.
“As a school, one of the best ways we can get behind initiatives like Fairtrade Fortnight is by educating the minds of future generations. We’d like to say thank you to Midcounties for taking the time to deliver the workshop.”
The Midcounties Co-operative is a longstanding supporter of Fairtrade. It was one of the first UK supermarkets to sell Fairtrade bananas, while all its own-brand tea, coffee and chocolate ranges are Fairtrade certified.
Simon Hartland, Leadership Team Ambassador for High Wycombe and Thame at The Midcounties Co-operative, said: “We support Fairtrade Fortnight because we want to play our part in changing the way that people think about the food on their table and where it’s come from.
“By hosting educational sessions with local schools, we hope to inspire the next generation to ensure that producers in developing countries are receiving a fair wage for the products we love.
“We are one of the biggest supporters of Fairtrade Fortnight and with a huge range of sustainably-sourced products for our shoppers to enjoy, we hope we can encourage more people to choose Fairtrade.”
Fairtrade Fortnight is an annual event that supports underpaid farmers and food producers in developing countries and inspires people to change their thinking behind the items they buy in their weekly food shop.
Midcounties is also supporting the campaign through a range of in-store initiatives including Fairtrade fruit giveaways, in-store Fairtrade food hunts and colouring competitions. Local stores are also hosting cake sales to raise funds for local charities.
