Fairtrade Fortnight 2023

Fairtrade Fortnight 2023 is taking place from 27th February to 12th March. The fortnight is dedicated to engaging, informing and educating people across the globe about the importance of Fairtrade, climate change and the future of our food.

The initiative brings together the Fairtrade movement with collaborations between the Fairtrade Foundation and retailers, chefs and high-profile names in the world of food and sustainability.

Go Bananas!

This year, Fairtrade Fortnight shines a light on how the future survival of the world’s most popular foods – such as bananas, cocoa, and coffee – hangs in the balance unless we achieve inclusive and equitable climate solutions, with farmers and agricultural workers playing a central role in the climate response.

Bananas are the world’s most popular fruit – and with an estimated global export value of $7 billion dollars per year, the banana trade remains the cornerstone of many countries’ economy. For more than 450 million people around the world, bananas and plantains are vital staple crops, particularly in lower-income nations. But amid the impact of climate change and the resulting threats posed by plant diseases like Fusarium TR4, the future of bananas is increasingly at risk, according to Fairtrade’s ‘Fairtrade and Climate Change study’.

The study warns that dramatic weather patterns spurred by climate change will likely deliver severe blows to agricultural production in key regions around the world, from Latin America to the Asia-Pacific. Banana producers in the Caribbean and in Central America, for instance, are expected to experience less rainfall and more extreme temperatures, while those in Southeast Asia and Oceania will see an increased risk of tropical cyclones.

Jackie Marshall, Head of Brand and Marketing at the Fairtrade Foundation, says: “Fairtrade Fortnight highlights the urgent threat to the future of British staples produced overseas. Without our support for fairer prices today, farmers will find it even harder to tackle the climate and economic challenges of the future. Smallholder farmers have a critical role in addressing climate change and have the expertise and knowledge to do so – but they simply can’t afford to foot the bill for adapting to economic and climate change on their current incomes. There is a huge amount we can all do. Fairtrade is asking each and every one of us to act now and shop Fairtrade so farmers can keep going through these tough times. By choosing Fairtrade now, you are helping protect nature now as well as the future of our food.”

Events Across the Country

Hundreds of exciting events take place across the country during Fairtrade Fortnight, organised by Fairtrade supporters and ethical shoppers in local communities who are committed to campaigning for social justice. Each of these serving to bring home the message that choosing Fairtrade, whatever your budget and wherever you shop, means a more sustainable future for our favourite foods and an investment in farmers to take care of the environment.

Tunbridge Wells: A Fairtrade Town

If you regularly drive into Tunbridge Wells, you may have noticed the Fairtrade sign by the roadside – Tunbridge Wells is a Fairtrade Town! To be a Fairtrade Town, five goals must be achieved and certified by the Fairtrade Foundation, the town met these and attained Fairtrade Town status in 2007.

There are various eateries, bars, pubs and retailers in The Pantiles that are proud to support Fairtrade. These include the Duke of York, Ragged Trousers, And So To Bed and Framptons.

Plus, our weekend markets are a great opportunity to pick up some tasty treats and artisan products that are created using Fairtrade and sustainable ingredients and materials.

Fairtrade Banana Bread

If you want to create your own fairtrade sweet treat this Fairtrade Fortnight, why not head to Trevor Mottram in The Pantiles to get all the baking paraphernalia you need to create some Fairtrade Banana Bread?

Ingredients

225g/8oz self-raising flour

100g/4oz butter

150g/5oz caster sugar

450g/1lb bananas (fairtrade)

½ tsp salt

2 eggs

175g/6oz chopped nuts (of your choice)

Method

1. Firstly, pre-heat your oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
2. Mix all the ingredients together, excluding the nuts.
3. When the ingredients are combined, fold in the nuts.
4. Pour the batter mixture into a 1kg/2lb non-stick loaf tin.
5. Bake for one and a half hours.
6. When the banana bread has risen and has cooked all the way through, remove it from the oven leave it to cool on a wire rack.
7. Slice and serve! Serves 8.

Find out more about how to take part in Fairtrade Fortnight 2023.