THE ANNUAL Solihull Fairtrade Trail is back and filled with artwork from school pupils who have worked hard to shine a light on the importance of Fairtrade on communities around the world.
The trail, which runs until March 5, challenges Silhillians to find the answer to clues by searching the shop windows across the town centre.
This year’s theme is ‘Choose Fairtrade now to save the future of our favourite foods’ and the artwork reflects the importance of supporting Fairtrade products which are increasingly being affected by the impacts of climate change.
First established in 1992, the Fairtrade Mark is a certification that aims to ensure a set of standards are met in the production and supply of a product in terms of workers’ rights, safer working conditions and quality of goods.
Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, cabinet member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing, said: “Echoing the central message from the Fairtrade Foundation, this year the Solihull Fairtrade Trail has been designed to bring home the reality that Fairtrade products such as coffee, bananas and chocolate could soon be much more difficult to buy.
“The threat of climate change and increasing severity of natural disasters is making crops like this harder and harder to grow. However, by choosing Fairtrade, we can give extra income, power and support to those threatened communities.
“I’d like to thank all of the school pupils who created these fantastic pieces of art, helping to vividly bring to life the topical issues surrounding Fairtrade and climate change.”
