SHOPPERS in Bury will be given “food for thought” during Fairtrade fortnight which is being launched on Monday.

This is Bury’s first full year as a Fairtrade Town and the scheme has the backing of the council, the mayor and local MPs.

Volunteers from the Fairtrade Steering Group and local businesses are planning a series of events to promote better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

There are more than 3,000 products with the Fairtrade mark: from chocolate and coffee to wines, pasta, kitchen rolls and cotton garments.

Councillor Peter Bury, the local authority’s Fairtrade champion, said: “Taking a step is easy. It can mean anything from buying a Fairtrade product you haven’t tried before to supporting one of our free tasting events — and who can resist free chocolate?”

During Fairtrade Fortnight, there will be a chance to meet local supporters and to sample Fairtrade chocolate and other goodies at venues throughout the borough, including Fairfield Hospital’s Broad Oak restaurant on Tuesday (Feb 28), the Mill Gate centre on March 2 and 3, the Town Hall foyer on March 6 and 7, and Asda in Spring Street on March 9.

Businesses across the borough are also being asked to support Fairtrade Fortnight and encourage their customers to do the same.

Bodyshop Bury will be promoting Fairtrade products and Marks and Spencer, Prestwich, will be offering Fairtrade product tastings and raffling a Fairtrade hamper.

This is in addition to Bury United Reformed Church’s regular Saturday morning Fairtrade Cafe and other events in many local schools and churches.

Bury Council uses Fairtrade products at official meetings and functions in the borough and has formally resolved to help promote the growth of Fairtrade.

For more information about Fairtrade locally, call Peter Roscoe on 0161 761 6856 or visit bury.gov.uk/fairtrade.