FOOD parcels distributed by The Hub in Bradford on Avon in the next two weeks will contain extra treats to mark Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs to March 7 this year.

Instead organising the usual coffee morning or fair to mark the Fortnight, the local Fairtrade group decided to recognise that many in this country are also struggling.

Members asked their local Co-op store to provide some Fairtrade extras for the food parcels, to which they readily agreed.

Maureen Breeze, Co-op member pioneer for Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge, said: “We are pleased to be supporting the Bradford on Avon Fairtrade group in their awareness raising again this year.“The Co-op has been actively supporting Fairtrade for 25 years and we are steadfast in our desire to change lives through the products we sell."

“There’s still a lot to do to fight unfairness in the food chain but we are committed to creating all Co-op products focused on respect for all people and the planet.”

Avril Clarke, co-ordinator of The Hub, said: “We are hugely appreciative of the generosity of Bradford on Avon Fairtrade group and the Co-op in providing at least one fairtrade item for each food parcel that will go out during the Fairtrade fortnight."

“This allows both recipient, donor and volunteer to empathise with people who are struggling in all parts of the world not just here in this part of Wiltshire.”

The Co-op has chosen Bradford on Avon to be one of a small number of communities across the country to pilot a virtual one-hour Join In Live event on Saturday, February 27.

It is open to Co-op Group members and any others interested from the local community.

Two of the Bradford on Avon Fairtrade Group will be taking part and promoting Fairtrade.

You can take part by signing up at this link: https://www.co-operative.coop/get-involved/JoinInLive

Bradford on Avon has been a Fairtrade town since 2003, the first in Wiltshire to be awarded this status.

Products bearing the Fairtrade mark guarantee producers are paid fairly, receiving a price that covers the cost of production plus the Fairtrade Premium, which can be invested in community products of their choice, and that they farm with care for the environment.

A wide range of products now have the mark, from chocolate to bananas to rubber gloves.