There were several breakfasts held across York to mark the theme of this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight (29^th February to 13^th March): “Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers”. Of particular note were the brave souls who endured the cold to launch the Fortnight in Yorkshire, enjoying their fairly traded breakfast outside St Michael le Belfrey church next to the minster. Members of York Fair Trade Forum joined organisers Fairtrade Yorkshire, and the Lord Mayor of York, Sonja Crisp, also came along. The menu featured Fairtrade bananas, muesli, jam and honey amongst other things, washed down by Fairtrade tea, coffee and juice. And someone probably sneaked in a bit of Fairtrade chocolate as well…

 

 

 

As part of the York St John University’s programme for the Fortnight, The Forum held an event for staff and students – indoors this time. Goodies on offer included Fairtrade fruit, banana bread, cookies, flapjack and ginger cup cakes (perhaps more naughty brunch than breakfast).

 

We rely on farmers and workers for the foods, drinks and products that we love. To quote Martin Luther King, “before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half the world”. Yet the people who grow the food we take for granted can’t always feed their own families. About 795 million people are undernourished globally. By eating a Fairtrade breakfast, we can help ensure that the farmers and workers are able to provide enough food for their families.

Fairer prices give producers more, and more predictable, income. They can use the extra cash to make sure their families have enough to eat throughout the year.