Co-op offers £40,000 to community groups for Fairtrade Fortnight

The Co-operative is offering community groups in the South West a pot of £40,000 to make sure their Fairtrade Fortnight activity goes with a fairtrade bang.

Fairtrade Fortnight between Monday, February 22 and Sunday, March 7, and community group events which take place during this time could include fashion shows, coffee mornings, wine tastings, among others. The Co-operative’s membership department has a pot of £40,000 to share to community groups throughout the South West which want to put on a super event promoting the Fairtrade way of life.

Peter Vallance, the Co-op’s membership officer, said: “As the UK’s largest mutual retailer, we have been at the forefront of developing Fairtrade products and promoting the principles of Fairtrade.

“Our sales figures show how important Fairtrade is to our customers and, thanks to their continued support, we can ensure a better deal for growers in developing countries whose families can also look forward to a better future.

“This year, we are particularly pleased to be able to offer community groups throughout the South West a helping hand in making 2010 their best Fairtrade Fortnight ever. So if they’re organising events to raise the awareness of the support given to developing countries through Fairtrade, we look forward to hearing from them.”

To apply for Fairtrade support download the application and sent back to the regional office by Monday, January 11.

• See the full press release on the Co-op’s South West news page