Fairtrade Fortnight 22nd February - 8th of March 2010
Once again the people of Ireland are joining together to highlight the importance of buying and using fair trade products, and are thus providing producers from the South with fairer trade conditions that allow them to combat poverty, strengthen their position and take control over their lives.
The people of Portlaoise have continually supported this cause and this year Fair trade products are readily available in many retail shops, e.g. Fruit and Nut, Dunne’s Stores, Tesco, Mulhalls, Lidl, Superquinn, and ‘Sweater & More’ are stocking and selling fair trade clothing.
Restaurants, Coffee Shops etc. serving FAIRTRADE products:
The Heritage Hotel, Mc Pearsons - The Theatre, 2 Caffe Latte, O’Gorman’s Kilminchy, O’Brien’s Sandwich Bar, Egan’s, Mulhalls.
Schools, Churches, Library, Teacher’s Centre, E.S.B.,County Council Offices, Agriculture Office , the Credit Union - are all becoming involved.
The theme this year is 'THE BIG SWAP'
We'll be asking people to swap their usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff; your usual tea, coffee, chocolate or bananas for Fairtrade tea, coffee, chocolate or bananas.
Hold Big Swap events in your local schools, church, library, club, workplace...etc to raise awareness of Fairtrade.
Why not host a swap your breakfast, break, lunch or supper. You could also get your workplace, school or college to permanently swap to a Fairtrade cuppa, also don't forget the option to swap to Fairtrade sugar and snacks. You could also host a cotton swapping event, swap your t-shirts, socks, shopping bags to Fairtrade ones. Now the “Sweater and More” shop in Portlaoise is stocking and selling Fairtrade cotton goods dresses T-shirts and many more items.
Whatever you do this Fairtrade Fortnight make sure you take action.
Congratulation to the Credit Union and the Library who have agreed to hold a coffee morning – dates to be announced later in the week
This year our guest to the town is Hella Alikuru, from Nairobi, Kenya - the Africa Region Coordinator for the International Union of Food & Agricultural Workers (IUF). She will be accompanied by members of FAIRTRADE Ireland and they will be meeting students and the people of Portlaoise on the 24th of Feb at 10 o’clock in the Parish Centre.
We need to take action and use Fairtrade Fortnight this year to tell friends, neighbors, colleagues and communities at home and at work why Frairtrade is vital for poor producers in developing countries.
Be Part of Events in Portlaoise;
MAKE IT HAPPEN CHOOSE FAIRTRADE
To find out more and to register your event visit www.fairtrade.ie
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