Fairtrade Fortnight comes to Harborough

It was Martin Luther King who famously said: 'Before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you've depended on more than half the world.'

A local breakfast could easily contain coffee from Mexico, sugar from Cuba, fruit juice from the Caribbean and dried fruit from South Africa.

Fairtrade is about better prices and decent working conditions for the workers who grow products like these.

And Fairtrade Fortnight, which began on Monday and runs until Sunday, March 13, puts the focus on Fairtrade.

“It’s not a charity,” said Anita Beer, secretary of Market Harborough’s Fair Trade group. “It’s a way of giving people the opportunity to work their way out of poverty.”

In Market Harborough, the Fortnight is being celebrated in a variety of different ways.

Throughout the two weeks you can enjoy a Fairtrade breakfast at three town cafes; Aldin’s in Church Square, Louisa’s Place in St Mary’s Road and the Cafe in Welland Park.

Six Harborough area schools are taking part in a baking competition.

And there are Fairtrade window displays in shops and a family trail (spot the hidden animal). Forms for the trail can be collected from the town library’s reception.

On Wednesday, March 2, Fairtrade refreshments will be available for staff working in the council offices.

On Saturday, March 5, there’s an ‘Old Friends’ Concert at the Methodist Church in Northampton Road at at 7.30pm. There will be Fairtrade refreshments and a stall selling Fairtrade items. No tickets: donations for the Bhopal Medical Appeal.

On Sunday, March 6, a Fairtrade breakfast is available in the Methodist church hall from 8.30am to 10.00am.

On Friday, March 11, there’s a Fairtrade tombola at the Market Hall. Tickets 50p.

And on Saturday, March 12 there’s a Fairtrade Breakfast/ Coffee Break for neighbours at 12, Highcross Street, from 8.30am to 11am.