After receiving renewed Fairtrade Island status for the Isle of Man, the local Fairtrade group is encouraging everyone to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, which starts on Monday, February 25.

Fairtrade Fortnight is an opportunity to show support for Fairtrade, the scheme that ensures that farmers and producers in developing countries receive a fair price for their goods.

Schools will hold Fairtrade assemblies, tuck shops, bake-offs and displays, and retailers will also be promoting Fairtrade items in their shops.

Other community and church groups will celebrate with Fairtrade teas and sales.

Each year the Fairtrade Foundation uses the fortnight to spotlight Fairtrade producers and this year it is on cocoa farmers in Côte D’Ivoire.

Many small cocoa farmers are struggling to make a living income.

The situation is particularly bad for women farmers who often have to contend with raising children, feeding the family and looking after the home while also planting, farming and transporting the cocoa beans to market.

The foundation has produced a number of case studies and more information and materials are available from the Fairtrade website www.fairtrade.org.uk.

In the Isle of Man, the Fairtrade group is publicising the positive impact of Fairtrade and is looking for employers to get involved by becoming Fairtrade employers.

One World Centre co-ordinator and Fairtrade Group member Wendy Shimmin said: ’Having just gone through the Fairtrade Island status renewal, we know there is a lot of support for Fairtrade amongst the general public and also that Fairtrade has the commitment of the Isle of Man Government.

’What we’d really like to see now is local businesses and employers taking Fairtrade on board, particularly by providing Fairtrade coffee, tea, hot chocolate and sugar to staff and visitors.

’As we always point out, virtually all Fairtrade items are complementary to Manx home-grown produce. We certainly can’t grow tea, coffee, cocoa and sugar in our climate.

’So there is no conflict in providing Fairtrade items alongside Manx ones and helping small farmers and producers in some of the most challenging areas of the world.’