Big swap for Fairtrade products

ENNIS businesses are being encouraged to stock more Fairtrade products.

The campaign, which will run throughout Fairtrade Fortnight, aims at seeing more Fairtrade products available to Ennis consumers.
Ennis was designated as a Fairtrade town two years ago, but according to the local Fairtrade committee, there is a need to get more local businesses on board. Fairtrade Fortnight is currently running until Sunday.
“A number of local shops are stocking Fairtrade products like coffee and tea but we would like more to support the campaign. We are currently approaching more businesses. If Fairtrade goods are readily available, consumers will be more aware of them and are more likely to buy them,” the spokeswoman said.
A number of other events have been organised to mark Fairtrade Fortnight, including a coffee morning promoting Fairtrade products at the Rowan Tree Café Bar and at the offices of Ennis Town Council.
A day highlighting the positive impacts of Fairtrade will be held at Coláiste Muire on Thursday. Senior pupils in the school will talk to younger pupils about the aims of Fairtrade.
The idea behind Fairtrade is to promote fair working conditions, local sustainability and reasonable terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.
Another initiative of Fairtrade Fortnight this week is The Big Swap, whereby people are being urged to swap regular goods for Fairtrade products.
“The Big Swap encourages people to permanently swap everyday items like tea, coffee, chocolate, cotton, t-shirts, bananas and sugar for fairtrade equivalents,” the spokeswoman said.