There are now over 2000 products in the UK carrying the Fairtrade mark ranging from tea, coffee, bananas, chocolate, roses, biscuits, wine, sugar, t’shirts, socks and footballs so it has never been easier to change to Fairtrade.

Fairtrade guarantees farmers in the developing world a fair and stable price for their product. Poor market access and unfair trade rules often means the price farmers get for their crop does not cover the cost of production. A product that is Fairtrade certified, carries the label of the Fairtrade Mark, an internationally recognised label guaranteeing the product as Fairtrade.

Buying just one fairtrade product can make a real difference to the lives of workers and farmers in the developing world as money from the sale of fairtrade products not only guarantees a fair price but also helps with community projects such as building water wells, improving homes and developing organic growing techniques.

All major supermarkets including Asda, Budgens, Booths, Co-op, Marks and Spencers, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Somerfield and Tesco’s. You will also find Fairtrade products in Health Food stores, cafes including Starbucks and Marks and Spencers, Just Fairtrade Shop, Bishop Street, Leicester and The Fairtrading Post, 1 College Ave, Melton Mowbray

Charnwood Borough and Hinckley and Bosworth are both Fairtrade Borough's and Market Harborough and Melton Mowbray are both Fairtrade towns. North West Leicestershire District and Lutterworth are both working towards Fairtrade status meaning in each town and Borough, a minimum number of shops, cafes, workplaces and restaurants sell Fairtrade products and that each council supports and promotes Fairtrade products with a Fairtrade group to promote products.

Leicestershire County Council supports fair trade by serving fair trade tea and coffee at teabars and products in the staff shop.

To find out more about Fair Trade see the Fairtrade Foundation website and remember make fairtrade your habit.

The Fairtrade Foundation Newsletter has news and views from the world of Fair Trade.