Coalition hosts Fairtrade business lunch

Wiltshire businesses are being urged to switch to Fairtrade products to make a difference to the world’s poor.

Swindon Fairtrade Coalition is inviting local businesses to attend a Fairtrade business lunch this month.

The event will be hosted by the Mayor of Swindon and Lord Joel Joffe, founder of Oxfam.

It will be an opportunity for local business and schools to learn more about Fairtrade.

The coalition want to encourage more Swindon businesses to stock Fairtrade products for their staff and customers.

Attendees will be treated to a Fairtrade lunch served by local caterers.

They will listen to Ben Speed, business development manager from the Fairtrade Foundation introducing the benefits of Fairtrade for businesses.

There will then be an opportunity for questions and discussion and for schools and businesses already using Fairtrade to share their experiences.

The event is aimed at managers responsible for purchasing catering products, but any business people interested in learning more about Fairtrade are welcome to attend.

No workplace is too small or too big to switch to Fairtrade. The range of Fairtrade products available for workplaces stretches beyond tea and coffee to cakes, snacks, fruit, juices, pasta and rice. Most are now available from major catering suppliers in bulk.

The chairman of Swindon Fairtrade Coalition, Barbara Aftelak, said: “Swindon is a Fairtrade Borough and many individuals and businesses already support Fairtrade.

“We want to raise awareness of Fairtrade amongst smaller companies who may not have considered that Fairtrade is an option and let them know how switching to Fairtrade can benefit their staff and clients.

“Choosing Fairtrade means that farmers in poor countries receive a fair price for the goods they produce. As well as enjoying high quality products, Fairtrade businesses and their staff are supporting poor people to trade their way out of poverty.

“There is an ever increasing range of Fairtrade products available and Fairtrade products now often cost the same as their non-Fairtrade equivalents. The event will provide businesses with all the information they need to switch some or all of their work-place catering to Fairtrade.”

The lunch takes place on Thursday, October 28 from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at St Joseph’s College, Ocotal Way, Swindon.

The event is by invitation only and any business or schools wishing to attend are asked to contact Barbara Aftelak on 01793 536815 or via email at barbaraaftelak@ntlworld.com by October 7

For further information about Fairtrade and to get involved locally go to www.swindonfairtrade.org