Fairtrade market stall - popularity grows

Date published: 19/02/2007

Supporters of the Fairtrade movement continue to gain new customers at their regular stall on Rochdale Market each Saturday - and new volunteers are always welcome.

The stall is run by 'Fair for All', a social enterprise set up in October 2006 to offer local shoppers the chance to make a difference by buying goods that are fairly traded.  The stall complements the growing number of local outlets and cafés that now sell and serve Fairtrade products in the borough and has built up a base of regular customers as well as attracting new ones.  

Customers can buy a wide range of fairly-traded foodstuffs - including tea, coffee, cereals and chocolate - as well as beautifully-crafted jewellery, bags and gifts. 

The stall is the trading arm of Rochdale Fairtrade Forum and is staffed solely by volunteers.  The Forum is always looking for new members who can spare a little time to spread the Fairtrade message and maybe help for a few hours on the stall every now and again.  

'Fair for All' member amp; Rochdale Fairtrade Forum secretary Jan Hicks says: "People are increasingly interested in using their purchasing power to buy products that are fairly traded.  The number of Fairtrade products available has increased threefold over the last few years and the products are of excellent quality.  By buying Fairtrade products customers can in some small way, help to make poverty history - something that is important to many people."

The stall is situated in Rochdale Exchange Market every Saturday and will, along with many other Fairtrade outlets, be helping to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight 26 February to 11 March 2007.

For further information on Fair for All or the Rochdale Fairtrade Forum contact: Jan Hicks (secretary) on 01706 648779 or Hazel Stobbs (RMBC Sustainability Team) on 01706 693027 or email hazel.stobbs@rochdale.gov.uk

For a full list of events during Fair Trade Fortnight, which runs from 26 Feb to 11 March, visit:

• Community/Events/events_regular.asp?Venue=Fairtrade+Fortnight