Fair trade fortnight failure

By Tamsin Cocks

An attempt to revolutionise consumer habits in Braunstone has failed to make the impact organisers hoped for.

The Brite Centre took part in the national ‘Big Swap fair-trade fortnight’ campaign from February 22 – March 7 to encourage the public to adapt more fair-trade goods into their lifestyles.

The centre’s café, Maz’s, stocked up on goods of this kind including chocolate bars, tea, coffee and cookies.

Bridget Deacon, who organised the event said: “Swapping your usual stuff for fair-trade stuff is a brilliant step to making the world a better place.

“Unfair trade rules keep people in poverty and this is everyone’s chance to change that.”

However despite posters advertising the event, and leaflets being handed out at the Brite Centre detailing the benefits of fair-trade, the public response was less than enthusiastic.

Mrs Deacon said: “Some people tried the new products, but it’s hard to get people to change over, I mean I don’t drink coffee unless it’s Kenco, because I prefer the taste.”

Another obstacle faced by campaigners was the issue that fair-trade products often cost slightly more than regular food.

Mrs Deacon said: “The fair-trade goods were actually supposed to be cheaper, but obviously the café had to make a profit too so it didn’t end up that way.”

The long-term success of the campaign will also remain unanswered, as there is no way of monitoring how many people have taken the message on board.

Mrs Deacon said: “It’s difficult to gauge the lasting impact of the fair trade campaign. We can’t see what they actually put in their shopping trolleys for example.”

Other centres around Leicester also supported the ‘Big Swap’ by holding events such as coffee mornings.

More information about the ‘Big Swap’ and other fair-trade events can be found at www.fairtrade.org.uk

WEST LECIS PAPER

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•