Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 9 February 2022

A HINCKLEY campaigner is urging people to choose Fairtrade this month after a new month-long campaign has been launched, named ‘Fairbruary’.

It has been started by the Fairtrade Foundation – an independent non-profit charity who work to help empower disadvantaged producers in developing countries.

Mathew Hulbert, from Hinckley, is the East Midlands representative for the Fairtrade Foundation’s National Campaigner Committee.

And he’s now encouraging people to buy fairtrade goods this month, to ensure that a fairer wage is given to farmers and growers in developing world countries.

The traditional Fairtrade Fortnight – 21 February to 6 March – will be part of the new ‘Fairbruary’ campaign.

As a part of this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight, an online festival will be held, entitled: “Choose the World You Want”, with a focus on supporting farmers in the climate crisis.

Mr. Hulbert has welcomed the brand new ‘Fairbuary’ campaign, calling it ‘fantastic’.

He said: “It’s fantastic that as well as Fairtrade Fortnight we now have ‘Fairbruary’, in which to promote the need to buy produce such as tea, coffee, bananas, flowers and many more that feature the Fair Trade [Certified] Mark.

“If you see the [Certified] Mark you know [that] more of what you pay for the item, a fairer amount will go to the original farmer, grower or miner.”

“This then, in turn, enables them – thanks to the Fairtrade Premium – to help improve the infrastructure in their local communities.

“So, this ‘Fairbruary,’ please, choose Fairtrade.”