Monmouthshire’s Fairtrade Town groups has organised a host of events from now until March 13, ranging from pancake parties to big civic breakfasts.

As well as being a lot of fun, all the events help to remind the public that buying products featuring the Fairtrade Mark guarantees a fair deal and better conditions for farmers and producers in developing countries.

The theme for this year’s events - a Big Fairtrade Breakfast – is derived from a famous quote by civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King, “Before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half the world.”

Millions of farmers and workers in developing countries work hard every day to grow the food we eat, yet don’t earn enough to know where their next meal will come from.

Councillor Phil Hobson, Monmouthshire’s cabinet member responsible for sustainable development said, “Lack of food security is one of the world’s most critical issues. But people in Monmouthshire can make a real difference. Fairtrade means many producers and workers are able to do what we take for granted – put enough food on the table for themselves and the people they care about, all year round.”

Abergavenny Fairtrade Forum is holding a special Fairtrade Civic Breakfast Event on Saturday, (March 5) hosted by the Mayor Councillor Maureen Powell, where local farmer Chris Wardle will speak about the challenges facing farmers locally and globally. Fifty guests are expected including Nick Ramsey AM, David Davies MP, councillors and forum members with representatives from local schools.

Other events in Abergavenny and Usk include:

Abergavenny:

Thursday March 3, 10.30am – 12noon: Coffee Morning with a Fairtrade Stall at Christchurch Community Hall, North Street.

Friday March 4, 2pm-4pm, Women’s World Day of Prayer, URC and Methodist Churches, Castle Street.

Tuesday March 8, 10am – 12noon: Fairtrade market and coffee morning, with speaker Martha Musonza Holman: Abergavenny Methodist Church Hall.

12.30 – 2pm: Pancake Lunch and Fairtrade Stall, Abergavenny Methodist

Church Hall.

Wednesday March 9, 7.30pm: Public Meeting: Abergavenny Africa Community Links – the importance of Fairtrade, Community Centre, Park St.

Saturday March 12, 10am – 12 noon: Fairtrade Coffee Morning, Abergavenny Library.

Usk:

March 5, 10am - 1pm: Fairtrade stall, Usk Farmers Market, Maryport Street.