Photographer credit Helen Maybanks
Nia Griffith, MP met Malawian sugar cane farmer, Allan Saidi and Jamaican sugar cane farmer, Alexia Ludford in Parliament last week, to hear about the importance of Fairtrade for farmers and their communities in developing countries.
The meeting took place during Fairtrade Fortnight 2015 (23 February – 8 March), a national campaign that turns the spotlight on the people who grow some of the British public’s favourite everyday commodities – including cocoa, sugar and tea – to show the difference that Fairtrade makes to their lives.
More than 1.5 million farmers and workers in 74 developing countries benefit from Fairtrade, by earning a fair price and a Fairtrade Premium, which they can invest in their businesses and their communities, for example to build maternity hospitals, provide access to clean water, and enable children to go to school.
Fairtrade Fortnight is supported by shoppers, campaigners, towns and businesses across the UK.
Nia Griffith MP said: “After 20 years, the FAIRTRADE Mark is the best known ethical label in the world, but there’s still a long way to go to make all trade fair. Buying Fairtrade makes a big difference to sugar farmers like Allan and Alexia, and other farmers and workers in developing countries, so I’d like to encourage everyone to choose products that change lives.”