Fairtrade Fortnight came to a close on Sunday following a series of events to raise awareness about supporting farmers and workers in developing countries.

The Comet: A stall was set up in Leys Square, Letchworth GCA stall was set up in Leys Square, Letchworth GC (Image: Archant)

A coffee and cake morning was held at Stevenage Borough Council’s offices in Danestrete on Monday, February 24, to coincide with the the launch of the national campaign, with guests invited to try Fairtrade products.

The branding signifies that international standards have been met with regards to working conditions, sustainability, and fair terms of trade.

During the fortnight Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland met a Columbian banana farmer and signed a petition calling for fairer pricing, while Letchworth GC’s Fairtrade group were given a two-week lease by the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation to open an information shop in Leys Avenue about the cause.

Members also set up a weekend stall in Leys Square where the public had the chance to take part in a competition to guess the weight of a hamper of Fairtrade goods donated by Fairhaven Foods in Letchworth GC.

Group chairman Philip Ross said: “I am pleased to report that support for Fairtrade is alive and well in Letchworth. We have been a Fairtrade town since 2009 and I think people here understand the issue of helping farmers in developing countries so they support it through their purses and wallets.

“Over the last fortnight we believe that we handed out around 800 leaflets in the town and had numerous conversations with people and received lots of positive comments about how colourful and good our shop looked. Kids are really interested and it was great to have them come along and ask some of the hardest questions.”

For more information about Fairtrade, visit www.fairtrade.org.uk