Glossopdale Fairtrade celebrates young winners

Glossopdale Fairtrade hosted a coffee morning and prize-giving event at Central Methodist Church on Saturday 21st March, to celebrate local children who took part in this year’s Fairtrade competition.

Invitations to the competition were sent to all 14 primary schools in Glossopdale, with additional entries received from a local Brownies group. The challenge was to design a family breakfast menu using as many Fairtrade products as possible. 

Ten winners were selected and each received a certificate, a £10 gift voucher for a local bookshop, and Fairtrade chocolate goodies for Easter. The winning entries are now on display at Glossop Library. 

The prizes were presented by High Peak Mayor Councillor Dom Starkey following the coffee morning, which was attended by parents, grandparents and friends who came along to support the children. 

During the event, the choir from Padfield Community Primary School performed songs from around the world, celebrating the optimism, determination and resourcefulness of Fairtrade farmers and producers. 

Chris Nudds, Chair of Glossopdale Fairtrade Group, said: “It’s fantastic to see young people learning about Fairtrade and our shared responsibility for promoting fairness, respect and care for the environment. Their enthusiasm for Fairtrade is truly inspirational.” 

He added “Fairtrade remains the most visible ethical label in the UK, with around 5,000 certified products available, including cotton, gold, bananas, footballs, sugar, tea, chocolate, coffee, flowers and beauty products. These help provide sustainable livelihoods for almost two million farmers and workers around the world. Fairtrade is also the only ethical label in the UK that is independently certified.” 

Glossopdale joined the Fairtrade movement more than 25 years ago, and organisers say young people continue to play a key role in keeping the message alive. Local schools regularly run assemblies and projects about Fairtrade, encouraging children to think about where products come from and how they are produced. 

Chris said: “Children and young people quickly learn that buying products with the Fairtrade logo ensures fairer prices for farmers and producers in the developing world, and lifts communities out of poverty. 

“Buying fairly traded items also helps their communities invest in schools, health clinics, and clean water, as well as environmental protection to tackle the climate crisis and boost biodiversity.” 

More information can be found at: www.fairtrade.net