Shoppers are being urged to “Take a Step” and support Fairtrade Fortnight which runs from 27 February to 11 March.
This is Bury’s first full year as a Fairtrade Town, and the scheme has the backing of the council, the mayor and local MPs.
Volunteers from the Fairtrade Steering Group and local businesses are planning a series of events to mark the fortnight.
Councillor Peter Bury, the council’s Fairtrade champion, said: “Taking a step is easy. It can mean anything from buying a Fairtrade product you haven’t tried before, to supporting one of our free tasting events – and who can resist free chocolate?”
During Fairtrade Fortnight, there will be a chance to meet local supporters and to sample Fairtrade chocolate and other goodies at venues throughout the borough, including Fairfield Hospital’s Broad Oak Restaurant on 28 February, the Mill Gate centre on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 March, and in the town hall foyer on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 March, plus at the Spring Street Asda on 9 March.
Businesses across the borough are also being asked to support Fairtrade Fortnight and encourage customers to support Fairtrade including Asda (Bury town centre) on 9 March with information and product tastings; Bodyshop, Bury who will be promoting Fairtrade products; and Marks and Spencer, Prestwich who will be offering Fairtrade product tastings and raffling a Fairtrade hamper on weekends within Fairtrade Fortnight.
This is in addition to Bury United Reformed Church’s regular Saturday morning Fairtrade Café, and other events in many local schools and churches throughout the fortnight.
If you’re interested in finding out more about Fairtrade locally, call Peter Roscoe on 0161 761 6856 or visit www.bury.gov.uk/fairtrade.
