Wolverhampton’s history of Fairtrade started in 1991 where we saw the first Fairtrade shop opening and the selling of Fairtrade products. In 2004, the City became a Fairtrade city and the Fairtrade Foundation has recently renewed that status. The idea behind Fairtrade is that farmers and producers get a fair day’s wage for the work that they do. I hope that many residents, businesses and stakeholders will get behind Fairtrade Fortnight this year and support the cause continually.”

Last year, along with the other two Wolverhampton MPs, we made the commitment to become Fairtrade World Changers which means that they only stock Fairtrade products in our offices and at the coffee events that we host.

The theme for this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight is “She Deserves a Living Income”, with the focus on cocoa, so organisers are promising lots of chocolate-related goodies. As such, Wolverhampton’s Fairtrade shop, on School Street, is offering 10% off Divine, Traidcraft and Seed & Bean chocolate bars throughout Fairtrade Fortnight, as well as free hot drinks on Friday and Saturday, 1 and 2 March.